Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Waller County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
16 issues in public safety with medium priority
In-car video systems for deputies and constables
The Sheriff's Office and three constable precincts would get the Rocket in-car video platform, a roughly $51,500 purchase aimed at equipping patrol vehicles with modern video recording.
Homeland Security radio grant for county law enforcement
The county won its full homeland security grant request but equipment prices jumped, so it scaled back to 20 portable and 5 mobile radios and put up local money to finish the project.
Brookshire detention facility project terminated
A grant-funded detention facility planned with Brookshire is dead because land prices jumped $2.5-2.7 million during the slow federal grant process. The county will raise the funding-delay issue with its state delegation.
Flock license plate reader contract opposition
A resident warned that proposed data centers in the region are 'surveillance data centers' that could aggregate residents' personal data, and questioned Governor Abbott's assurances about reduced electricity bills. She also asked for transparency on a large project in Katy.
Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Grant
The sheriff's office picked up a $67,870 state grant to fight catalytic converter theft, with the county chipping in about $14,084 as a local match.
Constable fleet upgrade
Each of the four constable offices gets a new Tahoe, plus rugged laptops and radios — about $419,000 total for law enforcement equipment.
Non-emergency medical transportation access
The county approved Guardian Angels 2026 LLC as a non-emergency medical transportation service, giving residents another option for rides to medical appointments.
New District Attorney office positions
The DA's office is getting a civil paralegal and a second victim assistance coordinator — more legal support staff and more help for crime victims navigating the system.
Electronic warrants in the field
A new Cloud Gavel system lets judges magistrate warrants remotely with CJIS compliance, instead of the current cumbersome scan-email-sign process. It has a 30-day out if it doesn't work.
Homeland security radio grant
Emergency management is getting $70,359 in state grant money for industrial-grade incident response lighting — no local match needed.
Opioid settlement funds
The county accepted another $505,460 from the nationwide opioid litigation, adding to prior distributions for local use.
Code Red emergency notification renewal
The county renewed its Code Red alert system, which can geolocate warnings for storms, fires, burn bans and missing children; residents must sign up on the county website, and a statewide test is set for April 2.
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
The court proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, with Focusing Families sharing stark Texas statistics and prevention tips, including Wear Teal Day April 7 and Denim Day April 29.
County court at law judgeship vacancy
Judge Carol Cheney resigned effective March 6, leaving family and juvenile cases in limbo. The court weighed appointing a replacement now versus waiting out the runoff, with the associate judge and visiting judges covering the docket in the meantime.
Contract deputy for Grange subdivision (MUD 55)
A two-year contract deputy agreement will put dedicated law enforcement coverage in the fast-growing Grange neighborhood, with the MUD sharing costs — 50/50 in year one, 90/10 in year two.
Traffic safety enforcement grants (STEP)
The sheriff's office will continue state-funded patrols targeting DUIs, seatbelt violations, and crashes, with enforcement zones on Highway 6 and I-10 near Brookshire. The county's total match is about $15,300.