Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Waller County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
24 issues in public safety
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.
Senior meal delivery funding
After federal cuts threatened Meals on Wheels service levels, the county committed $15,000 over five years to keep hot meals and wellness checks coming to homebound seniors.
Victim services expansion in the DA's office
One victim assistance coordinator currently handles about 1,200 victim contacts a quarter across two courts. Salary savings will fund a second coordinator and a civil paralegal.
Foster care caseload decline and CPS policy changes
Legislative changes now require kids be in immediate danger before CPS can remove them, so caseloads fell from 63 children in 2019 to 14 — but the remaining cases are more severe. Officials urged residents to speak up and report concerns.
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.
Rural ambulance service grant
The county accepted $350,000 from the state's rural ambulance grant program, money that helps support emergency medical response in rural parts of Waller County. The County Judge is authorized to sign the grant agreement.
TxDOT Traffic Safety and Indigent Defense Grants
The county accepted about $125,000 in state grants for traffic enforcement and indigent defense, requiring roughly $15,300 in local matching funds.
Burn ban amid drought
A burn ban is now in effect across Waller County, meaning outdoor burning is prohibited. The Fire Marshal can lift it if conditions improve and conditions are met.
New district court for Waller County
The court backed a resolution asking the 2027 Legislature to create a new district court in Waller County — a response to the county's growth and court caseloads.
Reserve deputy caps for constables
The court set a maximum of 20 reserve deputies per constable department, down from an informal figure near 30, based on courtroom staffing needs.
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.
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.
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.
School Resource Officers in Waller ISD
The county renewed its deal with Waller ISD to keep one sergeant and five deputies on campuses for the 2026-2027 school year. The arrangement keeps uniformed law enforcement at district schools.
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.
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.
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.
Focusing Families funding renewal
The county renewed its $20,000 agreement with Focusing Families, a community nonprofit, using money already set aside in the 2026 budget.
Indigent defense capacity
A second contract defense attorney resigned in three months because of heavy caseloads, forcing the county to hire a replacement. The county attorney warned that rapid growth is straining the courts and budget season must address it.
Sheriff's Office Pay Parity
Big pay raises in Houston and Harris County are pulling trained deputies away, and Waller County must raise pay to keep them. Constables also want parity with the sheriff's office, since their employees can earn more doing the same job there.
Countywide criminal justice software modernization
The county is moving from separate Southern Software and Tyler systems to one cloud-based Tyler enterprise product covering the sheriff, courts, clerks, and DA. Officials say it ends duplicate data entry and data falling through cracks, and gives all law enforcement agencies unlimited licenses.
Sheriff polygraph capability via Crime Stoppers donation
A $7,000 Crime Stoppers donation buys a polygraph machine for the Sheriff's Office, which has its own licensed polygrapher. It could save $300–$500 per applicant if the state requires polygraphs for all hires.
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.
National Police Week proclamation
The county officially honors its deputies, constables, municipal police, and troopers on January 9. Commissioners emphasized the dangers and sacrifices of the profession, including for officers' families.