Commissioner's Court Minutes Highlights

Commissioner's Court decisions most relevant to citizens will appear here.

June 28th, 2022
- Signing of Independence Day proclamation.
- Renewal of Texas Association of Counties Employee Health Benefits Plan for Ellis County employees.
- Appointment of Ron Brown, Dane Brock, Jill Sulak, Matthew Cade Hancock, and Michelle Gross as supervisors to the Ellis County Fresh Water Supply District No. 3.
- Appointment of Joseph Barrett and Alan Hanes to the Emergency Service District Board of Directors.
- Enactment of a 90-day burn ban.
June 14th, 2022
- Motion carried to grant permission for the County/District Attorney to apply for a grant in pursuit of establishing a special veteran's court in Ellis County.
- Acceptance of resignations and applications for membership in Emergency Service District #7 (Bristol).
May 31st, 2022
- Proclamation signed to recognize June as Elder Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.
- Public hearing held and motion carried to set a mandatory payment rate for FY 2022 applicable to Ellis County's Local Provider Participation Program. This increases supplemental funding for local hospitals on top of Medicaid and occurs at no cost to Ellis County taxpayers through a federal match.
May 17th, 2022
- Motion carried to re-appoint Commissioner Lane Grayson as Ellis County's primary representative to the Regional Transportation Council of the North Central Texas Council of Governments for a two-year term.
- Motion carried to make a $30,000 annual contract payment to the FirstLook Crisis Pregnancy Center.
- Motion carried to accept the retirement of the Ellis County I.T. Director, Teral Crawford.
May 3rd, 2022
- Proclamation signed to recognize May 5th, 2022 as the National Day of Prayer in Ellis County.
- Motion tabled to submit funding to the Child Welfare Board, pending legal review.
- Motion carried to provide a tax abatement to Gerdau, Inc.
April 19th, 2022
- Sheriff Brad Norman presented Sergeant Bulot and Deputy Griffin the Life Saving Award for their actions rendering critical first aid to a young man suffering an accidental gunshot wound, thus saving his life.
- Motion to update Ellis County Septic System policy tabled for future workshop.
- 90-day burn ban from January 25th rescinded following an adequate reduction in fire incidents.
- Resolution approved and signed to submit an application to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission for an Improvement Grant in pursuit of a new Managed-Assigned Counsel program for Ellis County.
April 5th, 2022
- Motion carried to accept a 1-time variance for the construction of a cul-de-sac exceeding the maximum length requirement west of the intersection of Alsdorf Road and Union Hill Road in Ennis.
- Motion carried to create one new Clerk III position in the Elections Office to accommodate increased election employee workload. The new salary will be funded by a transfer of $25,900.42 for the remainder of FY 2022 and a subsequent salary of $62K+ moving forward.
March 22nd, 2022
- Motion carried to accept a performance bond for the Wooded Creek proposed subdivision.
- After much discussion and public comment, motion carried to allow a one-time variance for a lot not meeting the minimum road frontage requirement.
- Decision to take no action on a sliding-scale percentage increase in the price of fuel for various construction resources.
- Decision to recess to executive session to discuss identifying AT&T as the sole provider of internet and phone services for Ellis County.
- Approval of new officers for the Ellis County Historic Commission and annual payment of $10,000 to the Commission for historic preservation purposes.
March 8th, 2022
- A 1-time variance is allowed for a property not meeting road frontage requirements on the condition that only a single-family residence may exist on the acreage.
- Motion carried to allow the Fire Marshal to place infrared cameras in locations known to experience illegal dumping for law-enforcement purposes.
- County Judge authorized to accept settlement offers in the matter of Texas opioid multi-district litigation.
- Motion carried to transfer $377,929.39 to the District Attorney's Office to pay for two new attorneys, two new investigators, and 1 new clerk to help with the COVID backlog.
- Motion carried to approve change order(s) to pay for the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program modifications in the amount of $40,746.06 regarding the building extension project, with the exception of new windows for the extension.
- Motion carried to enter an engagement agreement with P3 Works, LLC to explore the idea of utilizing Public Improvement Districts in lieu of Municipal Utility Districts for unincorporated developments in Ellis County.
February 22nd, 2022
- Recognition of Emergency Management for achieving a county-wide "StormReady" status with the National Weather Service.
- Presentation of the Life-Saving Award to Deputy Demond Davis for his actions saving a human life during the court of his duties.
- Recognition of Ellis County FFA students who won various awards at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
February 8th, 2022
- Recognition of County Clerk Krystal Valdez for achieving the Exemplary 5-Star in Vital Registrations Award from the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Unit.
- Motion passed to add positions to the District Attorney's and the Sheriff's offices to deal with a backlog of court cases due to a pause on jury trials during the COVID-19 pandemic.
January 25th, 2022
- Burn ban goes into effect for 90 days following a 400-500-acre grass fire south of Ennis last week.
- Dani Muckleroy appointed to the Regional Aging Advisory Committee for the North Central Texas Council of Governments' Area Agency on Aging.
January 11th, 2022
- Special recognition given to Deputies Beverly and Whitt for their actions saving a human life during the course of their duties.
- Resolutions approved to replace batteries and lighting on the Joe White Emergency Communications Tower for compliance and emergency preparedness purposes.
- Renewal of annual contract with the Ellis County Children's Advocacy Center.
December 28th, 2021
- Resolution approved for an agreement between Ellis County and The Heights, Ellis County to provide domestic abuse service for Ellis County residents.
- Resolution approved for the County Judge to sign a certificate to issue bonds with the Methodist Hospitals located within Ellis County, allowing them to finance or refinance certain facilities; this is solely for compliance with Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
December 14th, 2021
- Resolution to deny a one-time variance to the Cole Ranch development.
- Resolution approved to establish the Ellis County Sexual Assault Response Team between the District Attorney, the Sheriff, and the municipal police chiefs in accordance with Texas Local Government Code.
- Re-appointment of Tim Birdwell as Ellis County Fire Marshal.
- Discussion regarding whether the Elections Office must choose pre-numbered ballots vs. randomly-numbered ballots during elections.
November 30th, 2021
- Resolution approved to accept redistricting revisions for the Ellis County voter precincts.
- Resolution approved to abandon a portion of the public street right-of-way of Old Fort Worth Road.
November 16th, 2021
- Resolution approved to authorize the largest funny car race in the world at the Texas Motor Speedway.
- Approval for the Commissioners' Court to vote proportionately for an appraisal district candidate.
November 10th, 2021
- Adoption of Plan A over "Draft X" for the Ellis County Justice District maps.
- Canvassing of the votes for the constitutional amendment election held on November 2nd, 2021.
November 2nd, 2021
- Acceptance of report from the County Auditor regarding the Tax Office.
- Final public hearing regarding redistricting for the Commissioner and Justice of the Peace precincts.
- Adoption of Plan A for Commissioner Precinct Redistricting.
October 19th, 2021
- FY 2022 budget and tax rates ratified.
- Resolution approved to grant Meals on Wheels $50,000 for continued service to feeding homebound, elderly, and disabled individuals in Ellis County.
October 5th, 2021:
- Recognition of two Ellis County employees for outstanding service: Cheryl Chambers, who received the Texas Outstanding Treasurer Award for 2021-2022, and Tom Manning, who has served ESD #2 for twenty years.
- Resolution approved to appoint representatives to a citizen advisory committee to assist with redistricting.
September 28th, 2021:
- Proclamation adopted in recognition of a National Week of Prayer.
- Proclamation adopted in recognition of Fire Prevention Week.
- Fiscal Year 2022 budget formally approved.
September 21st, 2021:
- Notice approved for special runoff election on September 28th.
- Finalization of budget for FY 2022.
September 14th, 2021:
- Formal resolution unanimously approved in opposition to the Biden Administration's de-facto federal vaccine mandate.
- Resolution approved to partner with the City of Ferris to fund a regional monoclonal antibody infusion center in order to relieve local hospitals of COVID patients in ICU beds.
September 7th, 2021:
- Resolution approved to implement a traffic flow change at the intersection of Cunningham Meadows Road and Old Maypearl Road in southern Waxahachie.
- Resolution approved to propose a FY 2022 tax rate and schedule a public hearing in advance of a vote.
August 31st, 2021:
- Various resolutions approved to update the Ellis County Emergency Operations plan as well as agreements between Ellis County Emergency Management and local or private entities.
- Public hearing held on salaries, expenses, or allowances that are proposed to be increased for elected officials in FY 2022.
August 24th, 2021:
- Before the court, Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman presented awards to several deputies who saved a suicidal individual's life by providing critical first aid to her on June 29th.
- Resolution approved to enter into agreement with Methodist Hospitals of Dallas alongside Midlothian Methodist Health Center to provide indigent healthcare for Ellis County residents.
August 17th, 2021:
- Dr. Kevin Fegan of Navarro College thanked the Commissioner's Court for working with the Texas Legislature to allow the college to offer baccalaureate programs in nursing.
- Resolution approved to request participation in the Major Events Reimbursement Program pursuant to Chapter 184 of the Texas Administrative Code and Chapter 478 or the Texas Government Code in support of the 2021 Texas NHRA Fall Nationals
August 10th, 2021:
- Resolution approved to purchase a list of capital items, including the old First Baptist Church at 301 N. Rogers Street, using ARPA funds
- Resolution approved to order a special election to be held on November 2nd, 2021 for a referendum on eight constitutional amendments submitted during the regular session of the 87th Texas Legislature
July 27th, 2021:
- Resolution approved to convey two properties from Ennis ISD to Habitat for Humanity
- Resolution approved to introduce a new amateur radio operator to serve as the RACES radio coordinator, which utilizes private radio messaging systems to alert the county of potential dangers
July 13th, 2021:
- Resolution approved for Ellis County to enter an agreement with TransUnion Risk and Alternative Data Solutions, Inc. for 12 months to assess potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities
- Resolution approved to enter Escrow Agreement for $185,000 regarding the sale of the old First Baptist Church at 301 N. Rogers Street, Waxahachie, TX 75165
June 29th, 2021:
- Proclamation adopted in recognition of June as Elder Abuse Prevention & Awareness Month
- Resolution authorized for County Judge to issue a letter of support to Hope Clinic as a part of its application to maintain its status as a federally-qualified health center for low-income residents in Ellis County
June 15th, 2021:
- Resolution approved to apply for a U.S. Department of Justice grant to enable the Sheriff's Office, District Attorney, and Children's Advocacy Center to develop a joint anti-human trafficking task force
- Resolution approved to enter a tax abatement agreement between Ellis County and Myti Properties, LLC & TIMCO Logistics Systems
June 1st, 2021:
- The Commissioner's Court invited representatives of each main entity that made the Vaccine Hub possible -- including the county emergency management team, Baylor Scott & White, the City of Waxahachie, other local jurisdictions, and volunteers with over 20 hours of service -- to be formally honored before the court.
May 18th, 2021:
- Resolution approved to waive Department of Development fees for 47 properties located in the vicinity of the May 3rd tornado
- Resolution approved to enter a professional services agreement with Kitchell for a long-term facility needs assessment
May 4th, 2021:
- Resolution approved for county to adopt a new public safety communications system
- Resolution approved to allow the implementation of alcohol distance regulations in unincorporated areas
- Tax abatement approved for SunOpta Grains and Foods, Inc.
April 20th, 2021:
- The Purchasing and Sale Agreement with Southfork Capital, LLC, for a new county administration building was amended in executive session.
- Discussion over a possible tax abatement to bring in SunOpta Grains and Foods, Inc, has been postponed.
April 6th, 2021:
- Resolution approved for county to partner with Bickerstaff, Heath Delgado Acosta LLP to implement redistricting plans according to new 2020 Census data
- Resolution approved to designate Waxahachie Civic Center as an auxiliary courthouse through December 1st, 2021 to resume socially-distanced jury trials; state-mandated COVID restrictions had prevented jury trials for 1 year

Commissioner's Court Minutes Highlights

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