Waller County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Waller County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rural ambulance service grant
The county signed an interlocal with Waller-Harris ESD 200 for a rural ambulance service grant under House Bill 3000 — supporting emergency medical coverage in rural areas.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Child abuse prevention and victim services funding
The county proclaimed Child Abuse Awareness Month and put money behind it — $20,000 to Family Ties plus funding for CASA. Family Ties serves abuse victims with counseling, a 12-bed shelter, and plans a sexual assault center in Waller so victims don't have to travel to Houston.
Child Welfare Board support
The county proclaimed Child Abuse Awareness Month and put money behind it — $20,000 to Family Ties plus funding for CASA. Family Ties serves abuse victims with counseling, a 12-bed shelter, and plans a sexual assault center in Waller so victims don't have to travel to Houston.
Sunterra crime and sheriff's overtime pilot
Residents report robberies, car thefts, drug activity and a March 13 shooting in Sunterra, much of it traced to investor-owned Section 8 rentals. The court approved a $100,000 overtime pilot for deputies and jailers, funded from salary savings, to boost patrols in high-volume areas.
Rural ambulance service grant
The county applied for $350,000 from a brand-new state program to buy an ambulance for ESD 200, hoping to cut response times across 510 square miles. The county would own it; ESD 200 would run it under an MOU. State rules are still fuzzy, so the court can still decline the award if terms don't work.
Associate judge position to relieve magistrate backlog
The county created an associate judge position to handle magistrations, warrants, and juvenile hearings, freeing up JPs and the county judge who've been spending hours daily on these duties. The position is filled and should be on the bench after training in early February.
Bond conditions monitoring during judicial transition
As magistration shifts from justices of the peace to a new associate judge, a part-time coordinator will keep tabs on roughly 700 people on bond conditions. The position should taper as caseloads decline.
Police Department Leadership
The Brookshire Police Department is in total flux after the sudden resignation of their chief and the firing of an officer. This leadership vacuum raises real questions about how safe the streets will be while the city scrambles to find new management.