Deb's Accomplishments

Accomplishments related to service as a Rowlett councilmember, 2022-2024

Deb has devoted her time on the council to establishing relationships with fellow councilmembers, city staff, citizens, and the leaders of governmental and private entities in the region and state; to taking the initiative to propose new council subcommittees, legislation, policies, and processes; to advocating for individual citizens, small businesses, and local groups; and to increasing her knowledge and leadership skills through training and networking. Some of her accomplishments while on the council include:

Elected deputy mayor pro tem by fellow councilmembers in 2022 and 2024
Elected mayor pro tem by fellow councilmembers in 2023
Proposed and established Public Safety Committee, serve as chair to further communication and collaboration between council, city management, and police, fire, and emergency management departments/functions
Worked with Keep Rowlett Beautiful to advocate for city cleanup and beautification, Coyle House restoration; attended Keep Texas Beautiful annual conference in Austin, 2022
Participated as part of Court Governance Committee in screening and interviews and made recommendation to full council on hiring new chief judge and associate judge in 2022
Participated as part of Government Affairs Committee and Rules and Procedures subcommittee in two major revisions to Council Rules of Procedure in 2023 and 2024
Participated as part of Government Affairs Committee in creating city's legislative priorities in 2022, 2023, and 2024
Completed training and serve as member of Rowlett CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team) in 2022, 2023, and 2024
Advocated for and gave a voice on the council to those opposed to projects that encroach on existing residents' quality of life or property rights
One of three councilmembers who advocated establishment of Charter Review Commission and a charter election in May 2023 to correct changes made due to misunderstanding of law by previous commission
Voted against cash incentives that did not offer return on investment in the interest of Rowlett taxpayers
Advocated for a lower tax rate, voted against tax rate increase in 2023 budget
Advocated for hiring of 8 new patrol officers in 2023 budget (approved by full council)
Served as council liaison to the Animal Shelter Advisory Board, 2022 and 2023
Advocated for and obtained approval for increase in animal shelter budget for food in 2023 budget amendments so the shelter wouldn't have to rely on donations
Established relationship with Rockwall County leaders as Rowlett's liaison to Rockwall County in 2022, 2023, and 2024, attend county events and county commissioners court meetings
Established relationships with councilmembers from surrounding cities, including Garland, Richardson, Balch Springs, Mesquite, Rockwall, Fate, McLendon-Chisholm, Royse City, and others
Appointed by mayor as council liaison to Economic Development Board 2024
Served as executive officer/secretary of Rowlett Housing Finance Corporation in 2023
Proposed and established Boards & Commissions subcommittee, acted as Chair, led revision of B&C Rules, Procedures and Handbook
Proposed and served on Code of Ethics subcommittee, reviewing the ordinance pertaining to the code of ethics for certain city officials
Appointed by Texas Municipal League president to TML Broadband Advisory Committee 2023
Long time member and now Rowlett council representative to North Texas Crime Commission
Member of NTCC cybercrime committee 2022, 2023, and 2024
Appointed to Board of Directors of A Badge of Honor (NPO providing support to first responders for mental wellness and suicide prevention)
Actively participated in Rowlett Chamber of Commerce events as a Chamber member
Participate in Walk the Bridge for prevention of veteran and first responder suicide
Advocated for cleanup, enforcement, and shutdown of "Camp Miller" area due to overnight camping, illegal bonfires, gunshots, apparent drug trafficking, illegal swimming in the lake, harassment of boaters by fishers, public defecation, trash, etc.
Obtained General (Tier 2) radio operator's FCC license and volunteer with Rowlett Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) at special events and during weather events, manned radio at the EOC and in the command trailer
Serve as council appointee to Rowlett Community Organizations Active in Disaster (RCOAD).
Selected by Texas Municipal League president to represent Rowlett at the 2024 Legislative Policy Summit.
Represented Rowlett at the NCTCOG General Assembly 2024
Rowlett's voting member on Rockwall County Emergency Services Corporation in 2022, 2023, and 2024
Rowlett's representative on Rockwall County Transportation Planning Consortium in 2022, 2023, and 2024
Rowlett representative and active member of Rockwall County Strategic Planning Committee in 2024
Mayor's alternate on Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition board in 2022, 2023, and 2024
Advocated for new public safety and animal shelter facilities.
Represented City of Rowlett at 2024 NCTCOG General Assembly
Represented the mayor at various city, regional, and state events in his absence, presented proclamations, gave speeches, etc.
As acting mayor in the mayor's absence, manned the EOC during major widespread power outages in 2024, declared a local disaster to help obtain assistance and resources from other agencies.
Selected by TML president to represent the City of Rowlett as delegate to the 2024 Legislative Summit
Proposed and drafted social media policy for city officials
Advocated for revitalization of downtown Rowlett; presented proposal for creation of Downtown Advisory Board to involve citizens and business owners in the process
Initiated review and revision of outdated ordinances
Advocated for and presented proposal for approval of bike trails at Pecan Grove Park in partnership with DORBA (approved by council)
Advocated for legal advisor at Planning and Zoning and Board of Adjustment meetings for protection of the city (approved on trial basis by council)
Advocated and presented proposal for revision and strengthening of ordinance regulating short term rental properties
As a member of the Government Affairs subcommittee and in collaboration with the mayor, drafted a resolution supporting legislation giving cities authority to regulate buyup of single-family homes by institutional investors.