Ellis County Economic Recovery Task Force

On April 22, 2020, Ellis County Judge Todd Little assembled an Economic Recovery Task Force to provide input and establish safety guidelines for the reopening of Ellis County. This task force is made up of over 35 members representing Ellis County industries, mayors, city managers, and medical professionals.

“The effects of these unprecedented times have impacted our way of life here in Ellis County and across Texas. Our people have come together and are ready to get back to work while promoting the health of the community. We wanted to be certain as Governor Abbott looked to reopening the State of Texas, we were prepared locally to re-engage the economy. The provided guidelines have been compiled by and for the economic success of Ellis County businesses and organizations.” - County Judge Todd Little

The Task Force has collaborated to construct strategies and appropriate voluntary standards to follow the timeline outlined by Governor Abbott for reopening businesses, while prioritizing the health and safety of all residents.

The Pledge

Members of the task force have committed to the following pledge to follow the guidelines promoted to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while maintaining the safety of residents during reopening:

Hi, my name is ______________________, and I contribute to the economic stability and health of Ellis County through my (ownership/management/etc.) of ___________________ (business name).  In April, Ellis County Judge Todd Little invited me to take part in the safe reopening of Ellis County by serving on the Ellis County Economic Recovery Task Force. I proudly support President Trump, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Governor Abbott, and Judge Little’s mitigation efforts aimed at protecting the health and welfare of all residents. 

By our efforts as a community, we have been successful in minimizing the loss of life and ongoing effects from COVID-19 in Ellis County. We recognize the significant economic and social impact COVID-19 has impressed on all residents. It has affected our time with family and friends, our mental well-being, our schools and local businesses, and life as we know it here in Texas.

As we have taken precautionary measures to protect the health of the community, we now set in a direction to protect the welfare of our entrepreneurs and local businesses. As we reopen Ellis County, we provide guidelines composed by over 35 members representing Ellis County industries, mayors, city managers, and medical professionals, to do so in a manner that can help to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while maintaining the safety of residents. 

Therefore, I resolve to:

• Continue my efforts to contain COVID-19 while also adhering to safe practices that will allow us to begin the process of reopening Ellis County.
• Focus on protecting the ongoing health and welfare of every member of our community to avoid further spread or a new outbreak of COVID-19.
• Act responsibly as I re-engage the economy, to continue following all health precautions and sanitizing guidelines, and to care for my neighbors and customers.
• Share the responsibility to protect my health and the health of those around me by maintaining accountability for voluntary compliance with the provided guidelines.

Economic Recovery Task Force Members Include:

Albert Lawrence- City of Waxahachie
Amber Caverly- Velvet Angel
Brittany Gibbons- Cooper Insurance
Bob Peters- HQI Contractors
Brooks Williams- City of Ferris
Brooke Caldwell- Vogue Salon & Spa
Cathy Altman- Carrington, Coleman, Sloman, & Blumenthal, L.L.P.
Chris Cole- Soundbridge
Cindy Burch- The Dove’s Nest
David Cook- City of Mansfield
David Hill- City of Waxahachie
David Setzer- Workforce Solutions North Central Texas
Deanne Fite- Century 21 Judge Fite
Doyce Miles- Northgate Hair Design
Jeff Kosoris- Jeff Kosoris, DDS
Elaine Vanderveeken Widrick-Snap Fitness
Jeannette Patak- Ennis Chamber of Commerce
Angie Juenemann- City of Ennis
Kasey Cheshier- United Way
Kyle Kinateder- Midlothian Economic Development
Laura Terhune- Midlothian Chamber of Commerce
Lynne Graf- Little Angels Daycare
Marty Nelson- City of Ennis
Richard Dormier- City of Ovilla
Mark Stanfill- City of Red Oak
Leigh Nordstrom- Local Health Authority
Philip Browne- Chick-fil-a Waxahachie
Clint Woodward- Red Oak Chamber of Commerce
Rob Reynolds- Stanley Restoration
Adrian Wilson- Salon Gatsby
Sandy King- Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce
Scott Wilson- The Oaks Church
Susan Harris- Lone Star Tank Rental, Inc.
Tom Leverentz- City of Oak Leaf
Todd Fuller- City of Red Oak
William Turner- Baylor Scott & White Waxahachie

For more information about the Ellis County Economic Recovery Task Force Guidelines, visit:
co.ellis.tx.us/EconomicRecoveryGuidelines.