Ellis County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Ellis County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Road material supply reliability
Precincts have been burned by suppliers who couldn't deliver crushed rock and asphalt on schedule. The court awarded multiple vendors on each bid so road crews always have a backup, keeping chip seal and patching projects on track.
Regional Animal Shelter Development
The county, Waxahachie, and Ennis are trying to build a regional animal shelter, but the first draft contract would put the county's $15 million Compass donation at risk. The court wants a rewritten contract and a public workshop so residents can see the cost numbers before committing. Rescue volunteers are pushing for open intake and spay/neuter funding.
Drainage Master Plan
A proposed homesite on 4.5 acres near Jen Road sits on highly erosive land with heavy water flows — up to 706 cubic feet per second in a 100-year event. Commissioner Stinson delayed the variance until a drainage and erosion study protects downstream neighbors and Walker Creek.
Rocket Ranch MUD Wastewater Discharge Permit
The county voted to challenge a TCEQ wastewater discharge permit for a proposed 1,200-home subdivision. Developers explained the discharge permit is only a backup plan to connecting with a regional Trinity River Authority plant.
Sheriff Office Lobby Space Expansion
The court approved funds and contracts to convert a portion of the main sheriff's office lobby into needed staff offices.
Rescission of County Outdoor Burn Ban
With scorching temperatures and drought index numbers climbing rapidly, the court enacted an immediate burn ban to prevent wildfires across Ellis County.
Local Provider Participation Program Hospital Rate Setting
The court set the FY 2027 mandatory payment rate at 6% for local hospitals to secure federal matching funds for indigent care without using county tax revenues.
Commercial Fire Code Standards and Permit Fees
The court debated whether to revoke the recently adopted 2024 International Fire Code over concerns about increased permit fees and mandates like concrete fire lanes for commercial properties. Ultimately, commissioners voted 4-1 to keep the code in place while agreeing to hold future workshops to review potential amendments.
Retiree Health Insurance Premium Absorption
The court agreed to absorb the entire $5,000 premium increase for county retiree health insurance to ensure retirees do not bear extra costs following provider network changes.
County Vehicle Procurement
Commissioners debated the costs and benefits of leasing county vehicles versus direct purchasing, prompting a review of department fleet policies.
Creation of County Administrator and Budget Officer Positions
The county created an administration office to manage day-to-day operations and streamline leadership across departments, adding checks and balances on firing authority.
November 2026 Joint Election Administration
Ellis County will run joint elections this November for six local cities and utility districts to save resources and simplify voting.
Master Thoroughfare Plan Amendment for IH-35E and FM 308 Corridor
The county removed a planned road corridor connecting IH-35E and FM 308 because steep drop-offs and flood control structures made building it impractical.
Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget & Tax Rate
County commissioners started reviewing funding requests and financial plans for the upcoming fiscal year with various departments and elected officials.
County Facilities Director Appointment
The county filled a two-and-a-half-month vacancy in the maintenance department by hiring Dustin Haynes, who will start on October 5.
Historical Tax Revenue Variances and Prospective Audit
Ellis County is looking to bump up property taxes by 12% to fund a larger government footprint. It’s a controversial move, and officials are asking residents to weigh in before the budget is locked in.
Jail Inmate Food Services Transition
Following Selrico Services' early contract termination, the county re-awarded jail food services to Correctional Food Services, increasing daily meal costs.
County Property Design Scope at 1305 West Jefferson Street
The court discussed expanding architectural design plans for the newly purchased building on West Jefferson Street to potentially include a new commissioners courtroom and administrative offices.
Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District 2024 Report
The Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District presented its annual report, detailing groundwater trends, well registrations, and conservation grant programs available to residents.
Wind and Solar Energy Regulation
Residents voiced concerns over renewable energy projects and battery storage safety during a discussion on a heavy construction road use agreement. Officials clarified that the solar project does not include battery storage units and that the bond ensures road repairs.
Animal Cruelty Investigation
Glenn Heights police are investigating a brutal animal cruelty case after a dog died from extreme heat. This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for stricter pet safety enforcement across Ellis County.
Weakley Branch Road Development and Variance
Residents near the proposed Trails at Hidden Creek subdivision raised serious concerns about road stability near a leaking water tank. The court ultimately denied the developer's request to use a substandard road base, siding with county engineers on soil stability.
Tax Abatement Compliance
County officials discovered that 5 out of 14 active tax abatement agreements are out of compliance due to missing annual reports, prompting warning letters.
Precinct 3 Road Rehabilitation
Road and Bridge Precinct 2 declared old equipment surplus, shifted budget funds into repairs, and partnered with the City of Garrett for road improvements.
Midlothian Facility Lease Renewal
The county renewed a two-year lease for the Precinct 4 Constable and Justice of the Peace facility in Midlothian at $13,200 per month while exploring long-term housing solutions.
Courthouse Facility Improvements
The county shifted nearly $1 million from historic courthouse restoration funds to cover active sub-courthouse and court facility needs because grant funding didn't come through and the building is fully occupied.
Jail Medical Services
The county is looking for a new jail medical provider after previous issues and high bids, exploring a cost-based model with UTMB while keeping interim care in place.
County Employee Health Benefits Renewal
Commissioners approved a health plan that lowers employee out-of-pocket costs and covers a nearly $1 million cost increase, prioritizing staff support amid rising living expenses.
Veterans Treatment Court Behavioral Health Services
The county terminated its failing contract with TrueCare24 for veterans' mental health assessments and established an open-bid clinician pool to ensure continuous care.
Facility Planning
Compass Data Centers offered a $15 million gift to fund a new county animal shelter, filling a major gap left by the SPCA's departure. While animal advocates welcomed the funding, several residents questioned whether the gift is tied to tax abatements for future data center projects.
Subdivision Infrastructure Rejections (Ferris Ranch and Erie Meadows)
The county updated its development rules to handle state-mandated 30-day review deadlines by allowing staff to approve small plats and clarifying road standards.
Rezoning
Red Oak just approved a big land rezoning plan to build a brand new data center. It's a major sign of how local tech growth is starting to reshape our neighborhoods.
Data Center Regulation
Big tech is quietly snapping up land in Ellis County for massive data centers before the public even knows what's happening. It’s a major transparency issue that could permanently change our rural landscape without any real community input.
Quality Growth Initiatives Updates
Ellis County updated its development standards to tighten drainage, erosion control, and paving rules for future construction. These changes aim to better manage stormwater and infrastructure wear as new projects come in.
NCTCOG Aging Program Services Presentation
Doni Green presented an overview of senior services, home-delivered meals, and transit support funded partly by county contributions for older Ellis County residents.
Election Results
Rodney Anderson just snagged the city council seat, which is a pretty big deal for how things are run in Ellis County. This win flips the council's majority, meaning we’re likely to see some major changes in local policy soon.
Public Safety
A teenager was recently shot near Lake Grove Park and Coleman Elementary, sparking a police investigation. While officials say the area is safe now, it’s a wake-up call to keep your guard up in our local parks.
Political Signage Regulations at County Polling Places
The county established new rules for political signs at polling places to prevent visual clutter and safety hazards, limiting sign sizes, quantities, and placement dates while setting overnight parking rules.
Animal Shelter Funding
The county partnered with the City of Waxahachie to fund a feasibility study for a new animal shelter. Animal advocates and rescue groups highlighted ongoing issues with stray animals and the heavy burden on volunteers.
Residential Development
Ellis County is getting a massive 2,700-acre neighborhood called 'Lakesong' that’s going to change the local landscape. It’s a huge project that will bring in tons of new residents, putting real pressure on our schools and roads.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Vacancy
It’s primary election day in Ellis County, so make sure you head to the polls to have a say in who runs your local government. Don't get caught off guard—check your polling location and ballot info before you head out.
Skyline Acres Traffic Safety
The county is moving forward with adding stop signs and adjusting traffic controls in the 1950s Skyline Acres subdivision near Midlothian to address rising accident rates and increased commercial traffic.
County Comprehensive Insurance Renewal
The county approved a nearly $1.89 million insurance renewal with Hibbs Hallmark, reflecting higher premiums and a $100,000 deductible due to recent severe hail and storm claims.
Springside Estates Phase II Infrastructure Bonding
Developers are swapping out nearly $960,000 in maintenance bonds for a $15,000 cash deposit while they finish up remaining subdivision infrastructure items over the next few weeks.
Grand Prairie TERS Participation
The county is considering a tax increment reinvestment zone agreement to help fund infrastructure for a massive new development. The court is cautious about the long-term financial commitment.
Electricity Procurement
The county is joining a power pool to get better electricity rates for its buildings starting in 2026.
State-to-County Personnel Transfer Policy
Commissioners set a firm rule that state employees moving to county jobs won't carry over vacation time, keeping the budget protected from unexpected payouts.
County Judge Resignation and Appointment
County Judge Todd Little announced he is resigning in May to lead the North Central Texas Council of Governments, prompting the county to start a public application process to pick his replacement.
Emergency Management
Severe storms just tore through Ellis County, causing tragic damage and loss of life. Stay alert for road closures and check in on official recovery resources as the community starts to clean up.
Emergency Services Contract
Ellis County’s ambulance provider just bailed on their contract, leaving the area without a primary emergency service. The county is currently scrambling to find a replacement, which could mean slower response times when you need help the most.