Public Statement | September 15, 2026
Smith County Commissioners Court
Delivered by Tom Fabry, Chair
Government Watchdog Committee

Smith County Judge Neal Franklin and County Commissioners,

You will vote today to approve the FY27 budget and tax rate, but Grassroots America insists ONE MORE TIME – you can and should do better for the taxpayers.

Through the years, we’ve given you many commonsense suggestions and offered to discuss them in greater detail. Yet, you have committed ZERO plans to run this county like a well- run business.

It is imperative that the public record shows the facts of the FY27 budget process and the growing financial risks, because they are nothing short of alarming. Those facts are:

• Comparing the 2026 budget to the 2027 proposed budget before you today, your budgeted spending increased from $152 million to $172M—a $20 million increase of 13.2%. Corresponding tax revenue has not grown nearly as fast and is $15M short—busting the bank.

• To address that shortfall, you first invoked the Voter Approval Rate—the maximum increase in the tax rate that you can pass before you are required by law to put it to the voters. In other words, expenses were maxed out against the tax rate cap—so much so that adding a box of pencils would have forced you to call an election.

• But the math on the Voter Approval Rate came in. Seeing that you would have caused a 15.6% increase in property taxes on last year’s median home, you got creative and settled on the strategy to “subsidize” debt service by transferring $5M from the Fund Balance. But even with the giant subsidy, you are still increasing property tax bills by 10%!

You balanced the budget on the back of Smith Couty taxpayers.

Your alternatives? You could have adopted a plan a year ago—a plan to drive spending discipline and transparency to achieve measurable results for taxpayers.

But there was no plan for success and it shows with this budget. A real business plan would have included zero based budgets, scrubbed/renegotiated contracts, performance metrics, published goals, regular reporting, and accountability.

More Bad News for Smith County Taxpayers

This year’s $172M expense budget becomes your new baseline budget for 2028. And with the massive known revenue shortfalls, you’ll again be looking for millions of dollars in subsidies from reserves or from paid-off bond debt.

However, when the bond debt is paid off, the taxpayers expect their tax rate and tax bill will go down. But that is not this Court’s plan at all! The “savings” from paid off bonds will be used to continue subsidizing increased spending. You will be violating an implicit promise to the taxpayers.

You will no doubt approve the budget and tax rate today, as sad and fraught with risk as this action is. Nothing deters you.

You took oaths of office—including to the US Constitution that will be honored later today on Constitution Day. Those oaths included good stewardship of the taxpayers money.

Just how long can this shell game you’re playing go on?

This process is not transparent.

This is deception.

Taxpayers deserve better.

Tom Fabry
Chairman, Government Watchdog Committee
Grassroots America – We the People
September 15, 2026

Public Statement | August 17, 2026
Smith County Budget Workshop
Delivered by Tom Fabry, Chair
Government Watchdog Committee

For the last several years, Grassroots America offered this Court clear, proven methods to strengthen Smith County’s fiscal management. These aren’t theories. They’re disciplines used every day in business planning, Citizen-First local governments, and personal finance.

The basis for improvement was a County Business Plan developed by the Commissioners Court and implemented with department level plans to drive spending discipline and transparency to achieve measurable results for taxpayers.

We recommended five necessary steps to implement a successful County Business Plan:

• Zero Based budgets – analyze costs for each core constitutional responsibility of County government, which provides the basis for matching money with mission to achieve the highest quality services at the very best price
• Metrics – counting the work a department actually produces so taxpayers can see output, efficiency, and cost.
• Goals – set objectives and timelines for improvement
• Reporting – regularly checking progress, spotting problems early, and giving taxpayers clear quarterly updates
• Accountability – regular feedback to reward achievement and correct deficiencies

This Court ignored every single commonsense recommendation and you are right back in chaos mode – and OVERTAXING! Your own numbers prove it!

Just four years ago – in 2023 – Smith County’s population was about 242,000. Today it’s roughly 250,000 — a 4.2% increase.

Reasonable taxpayers expect property tax revenue to rise with population growth plus inflation. But compare the 2023 property tax levies of $72 million with your projected 2027 property tax levies at $116 million — that’s a massive 61.2% increase in taxes on citizens!

And now, all but one of you voted for the maximum tax increase allowed by law without voter approval – which only worsens the tax bite out of family and small business budgets.

Even worse is your hoarding of unspent tax dollars!

This time two years ago, we first called out your $43M fund balance when County policy required just $26M in unrestricted reserves. You overtaxed citizens by $17M!

This year, you are on track to accumulate an $84 Million unencumbered fund balance – an unprecedented $47M of excess taxation on Smith County taxpayers! By all rights, that money should be in family and small business bank accounts – NOT in the county treasury!

Today, your agenda calls for scrubbing budgets to find some savings. You should have done this months ago – not at the last minute.

Today, will you put the Citizens First? You cannot justify sitting on $84 million in cash after raising our taxes!

Smith County Justice of the Peace Prec. 2
Backlogged Cases Growing!

YOU BE THE JUDGE — LOOK AT THE RECORD:

Smith County FY 2026 Adopted Budget [09/09/25], page 123: Civil and Criminal Court Case Annual Reports (productivity reports for JP Courts) from Texas Judicial System Annual Reports.

Starting FY 2024, Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Andy Dunklin’s Court (Noonday) had 10,444 cases pending (1,885 civil + 8,559 criminal).

By year’s end, that number had grown to 10,832 pending cases (2,175  civil + 8,657 criminal). This means JP Dunklin’s Court disposed of fewer cases than were filed, thus increasing the significant backlog.

Texas Judicial Branch’s (txcourts.gov) most recent online report (8/31/2025, page 43) shows Dunklin’s backlogs continued in 2025 with 10,855 actively pending cases.

PROBLEM: A consistent, clear pattern—the backlog is growing — not shrinking!

SOLUTION: Elect “Citizen-First” Shawn Scott for Justice of the Peace.  He’s pledged to work aggressively to reduce this backlog—AT LEAST 5 days a week, from 8-5. Let’s hire him at the ballot box on March 3!

We were shocked by incumbent JP 2 Dunklin’s claims against Shawn Scott that are demonstrably untrue, immaterial, and/or purposefully deceptive.  Once upon a time, the Andy Dunklin we knew would never have done such a thing.  Due diligence required we look into these claims. After doing so and having contracted background checks run on the candidates, FACTS show:

Dunklin Claim #1:

Dunklin’s 18 years of service to Precinct 2 is superior to the 13 months Shawn Scott served as an appointed interim constable when the self-disgraced constable was removed from office.  Dunklin’s opinion – not a fact. The 18 years means just that – Dunklin has served 18 years, part of that time as a Constable – followed by Justice of the Peace.  This isn’t a lifetime appointment.  Competition is good.

Dunklin Claim #2:

Dunklin’s 8 years of judicial experience vs 0.  Immaterial for this job. Dunklin also had no experience 8 years ago. This job does not require previous judicial experience nor a law degree. The State of Texas provides all the training needed to serve as a Justice of the Peace. Based on Mr. Scott’s verified background, he not only has extensive technical expertise but also the executive leadership required to manage a high volume court with efficiency and transparency. His record shows a consistent ability to make difficult decisions grounded in facts, compassion, and respect for the law. Mr. Scott actually has far more applicable experience than Dunklin did when he began his 8 years.

Dunklin Claim #3:

Shawn Scott has had six employers in the last 6 years is a purposefully deceptive smear. This slur cites Round Rock PD, Summit Security, RIOT, Smith County Constable, Chapel Hill ISD, Tyler Jr. College.  The FACTS show:

• Shawn honorably retired from the Round Rock Police Department after over 20 years of decorated service. He was a highly decorated detective who investigated violent crimes and was assigned to the FBI Austin Resident Agency for most of his career.
• Upon retirement, he served with Summit Off Duty Services, which collaborates with law enforcement officers nationwide to facilitate off-duty employment processes. Shawn served as Director of Operations at Summit Off Duty Services (founded by retired Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Captain, Chris White), which enabled Mr. Scott to return to Tyler to be closer to his family.  
• In 2012, Shawn co-founded Robbery Investigators of Texas (RIOT), which hosts the National Law Enforcement and Corporate Crimes Convention, recognized as the nation’s most prestigious law enforcement and corporate security training event. He’s led RIOT for the past 13 years as the executive director WHILE holding full-time employment.
• Shawn Scott served as the appointed interim Smith County Precinct 2 Constable when the self-disgraced constable was removed from office. Scott stated at the time that he had no intention of running for the office of constable. In those 13 months of service, Mr. Scott purchased critical equipment at no additional cost to taxpayers, established mission and vision statements, implemented written policies and procedures, and restored community trust in the office.
• When Chapel Hill ISD needed leadership to meet state mandates following the Uvalde school tragedy, Mr. Scott answered the call to serve as their Chief of Police.
• Shawn Scott earned a master’s degree from Sam Houston State University and thus has the credentials to serve as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at his alma mater – Tyler Junior College (TJC) – since 2021. He teaches when his schedule permits.

Dunklin Claim #4:

Dunklin’s 200+ hours of continuing judicial training education vs Scott’s 0 hours.  This is a non-issue. Only judicial officials have this training.  If having zero prior courtroom training and experience was indeed a disqualifier, the Texas Legislature would mandate a law degree or judicial training to run for JP!

Dunklin Claim #5:

Dunklin’s 10,000+ lawsuit cases ruled over vs 0 for Scott. Again, ZERO is the number Dunklin started with when he was elected JP. This is NOT a disqualifier for the office or the Legislature would require prior courtroom experience to run for the office of JP!

Dunklin Claim #6:

Dunklin’s 18 annual budgets submitted to and approved by the Smith County Commissioners Court vs Scott’s 1.  This simply indicates that Dunklin has been an elected official for 18 years, thus 18 budgets.  Mr. Scott served as an interim constable for 13 months, which included a single fiscal year budget.  Mr. Scott has years of budgetary experience and we believe he knows how to run that office more efficiently – clearing backlogged cases and keeping better office hours for the taxpayers.  Mr. Scott also pledged publicly that he won’t ask for an $8,000 raise, which public records show was a matter of high interest for JP Dunklin in 2025.  Dunklin received his $8K raise on 10/01/2025.

Dunklin Claim #7:

Dunklin sets high bail bonds on violent criminals and Shawn Scott does not. Dunklin had never set a high bond on violent criminals before he was elected JP either! Mr. Scott is not in the role of setting bonds; however, with his 30 years of law enforcement experience dealing with violent crimes, we are certain Shawn Scott will prioritize protecting citizens as a Justice of the Peace who magistrates at the jail.

Dunklin Claim #8:

Dunklin is trusted by ALL other judges in Smith County and Shawn Scott is not. Is every single elected judge in Smith County on public record NOT trusting Shawn Scott?  We haven’t seen that.  We looked.  We haven’t heard it either.  If any current Smith County Judge does not trust Shawn Scott and has provable cause (something you can demonstrate, verify, or substantiate), we’re listening.  You know where to find us.

With 30 years of distinguished law enforcement experience, Shawn’s life is defined by professionalism and steady judgment. We believe he will apply the law consistently and impartially. We believe it’s time for a change in JP 2. Shawn Scott has our full support.