Sep 29, 2026 Commissioners Court

[00:00:06]

COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE DO HAVE A QUORUM PRESENT. THE PROPER NOTICES OF THIS MEETING HAVE BEEN POSTED PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, WHICH IS FOUND AT TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CHAPTER 551. AND UNLESS THERE IS AN OBJECTION, I WILL GO AHEAD AND DECLARE THE MEETING OPEN. ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON COMMISSIONER PRECINCT FOUR, KYLE BUTLER, TO LEAD US IN THE INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. PLEASE STAND. LET US PRAY. DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, AS ALWAYS, JUST LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR LORD AND SAVIOR. LORD, PRAYERS GO OUT TO ALL THE JUST THE GREAT MEN AND WOMEN THAT WATCH OVER AND PROTECT THIS NATION. COME DOWN TO THE COUNTY, LORD. JUST WATCH OVER. KEEP THEM SAFE AND KEEP THEM OUT OF HARM'S WAY. LORD. FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW YOU, I PRAY THEY FIND YOU EVERLASTING LOVE AND AMAZING GRACE. LORD, BE WITH THE COURT TODAY. DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE.

LORD, JUST LET IT BE YOUR WILL. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN. AMEN, AMEN. ALLEGEDLY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE. TEXAS. ONE DAY UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE. THANK YOU. AND AGAIN, WELCOME. AND IF YOU'RE JOINING US ONLINE TODAY, WELCOME TO YOU AS WELL. ALL RIGHT. WE WILL FIRST TAKE UP. WE'LL MOVE TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA. AND I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE WE HAVE A PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FORM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON AN AGENDA ITEM, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE FILL OUT THAT FORM. IT'S AVAILABLE OUT IN THE HALLWAY BEHIND THE DOORS TO MY RIGHT OR THE DOORS TO YOUR LEFT. AND IF YOU JUST FILL OUT THAT FORM AND PRESENT IT TO OUR CLERK, CRYSTAL VALDEZ, SHE WILL BE SURE TO GET IT TO ME AND WE WILL CALL YOU UP WHEN THAT PARTICULAR ITEM IS UP FOR

[CONSENT AGENDA]

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY AND FOR CREATING THIS PROCLAMATION FOR US. I DO WANT TO INVITE EACH OF YOU, ACTUALLY, ALL OF YOU, FOR THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON BETWEEN 2 AND 5, TO COME OUT TO THE ELLIS COUNTY RURAL HERITAGE FARM AT ONE 130 CUNNINGHAM MEADOWS ROAD, SO WEST OF TOWN. HOPEFULLY THE WEATHER WILL HOLD AND WE'LL HAVE A DAY OF ACTIVITIES. IT'S ALL FREE PUT ON BY THE ELLIS COUNTY RURAL HERITAGE FARM, AND WE WILL HAVE A PROGRAM, A BRIEF PROGRAM AT 3:00 ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON WHERE WE'LL HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM BRIAN HARRISON'S OFFICE AND ALSO OUR TEAM. SOME OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS

[00:05:01]

THANK YOU. OKAY. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE REMAINING PORTIONS OF OUR CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH CONSISTS OF ITEMS A1 THROUGH A12 AND F ONE THROUGH F SEVEN. I DID HAVE A REQUEST TO PULL ITEMS A4 AND A5. RAPHAEL, YOU MAY WANT TO BE READY TO COME UP HERE IN A SECOND TO TO DISCUSS THEM, BUT WE WILL FIRST TAKE UP ITEMS A1 TO A3 AND A6 THROUGH A 12, AS WELL AS F ONE THROUGH F SEVEN. IF NO ONE CARES TO PULL ANY OF THOSE ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA, I WOULD TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THEM. SO MOVED. OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS A1 TO A3 AND A6 THROUGH A12 AND F ONE THROUGH F SEVEN. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STENSON. THE MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER ZAJC. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY I I. IS ANYONE OPPOSED HEARING NO OPPOSITION ITEMS A1 THROUGH A3 AND A6 THROUGH A 12 AND F ONE THROUGH F SEVEN PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. OKAY, I'LL NOW

[A.4 Approval for the County Judge to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to provide animal welfare resources and mutual aid support during emergencies or disasters, including animal sheltering, feeding, transportation, and related support services. – Interim Emergency Management Coordinator, Rafael Hernandez]

COMMISSIONERS, ANY THOUGHTS OR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? AND IT IS FREE. YES. READ THE BACKUP FROM IT. AND WHAT I READ DIDN'T SOUND LIKE IT WAS FREE TO ME. IT TALKED ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FROM KNOW THIS. WE MAY GET OFFLINE WITH LEGAL, BUT THIS IS A FREE WAY TO ASSIST IN ANY CAPACITY ANIMAL SERVICES WISE. BUT THIS IS ONLY IN THE EVENT OF A NATURAL DECLARED DISASTER.

THIS IS. THIS DOES NOT GO INTO EFFECT FOR NORMAL OPERATIONS PERTAINING TO ANIMAL SERVICES.

YEAH. SO THAT. YEAH. LEGAL. THAT'S THE WAY YOU READ IT, I DON'T KNOW. YES. RAPHAEL, WHEN YOU SAY AID, I MEAN IT WOULD BE THE SPCA RENDERING AID TO THE COUNTY AND NOT VICE VERSA, CORRECT? CORRECT. YES. SO THE SPCA HAS A SPECIAL CADRE FOR DISASTER SERVICES. SO THIS IS ONLY RELATED TO DISASTER SERVICES, NOT RELATED TO ANY OTHER SERVICES BY THE SPCA.

ONLY FOR AN EMERGENCY. OKAY. OKAY. WELL I READ THAT PART AND THAT'S WHAT I TOOK. THAT'S WHY I ASKED LEGAL. IF YOU READ IT, YOU SAID YOU SUBMITTED IT TO THEM. YEAH. IT WAS REVIEWED BY.

BY DEBORAH. RIGHT. YEAH. I DO THINK IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO TO CONFIRM THAT IT IS A FREE

[00:10:05]

COMMISSIONER STINSON HAS ASKED TO JUST TAKE NO ACTION ON ITEM A4 COMMISSIONERS. DOES ANYONE OBJECT TO THAT OR CARE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT? WE CAN. WE CAN BRING IT BACK. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WE'LL POSSIBLY BRING THAT BACK ON OCTOBER 13TH. RAPHAEL. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WE'LL

[A.5 Approval for the County Judge to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Incident Support Task Force to establish a framework for Ellis County Emergency Management, and other County personnel as appropriate, to participate in deployments supporting jurisdictions during times of need. Participation is not mandatory; personnel interested in joining the task force must complete an application and require training prior to deployment. – Interim Emergency Management Coordinator, Rafael Hernandez]

PERSONNEL INTERESTED IN JOINING THE TASK FORCE MUST COMPLETE AN APPLICATION AND REQUIRE TRAINING PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT. OKAY, RAPHAEL, PLEASE SPEAK TO US ABOUT THIS ONE. YES. SO THIS IS A A WAY, A BLANKET MOU FOR THE COUNTY, SPECIFICALLY IN MY OFFICE, TO BE A PART OF STATE DEPLOYMENTS TO ASSIST OTHER COUNTIES AND CITIES IN TEXAS AND AS WELL AS SURROUNDING STATES FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE. SO THIS GIVES MY OFFICE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO DEPLOY OUT AND HELP OUT PARTNERING JURISDICTIONS, AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY IN THE EVENT THAT WE NEED OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE. TNM CAN FILL THIS REQUEST AND BRING THOSE RESOURCES TO US. OKAY. DO WE HAVE TO PARTICIPATE AS A DONOR OF PERSONNEL IN ORDER TO CALL IN TETUM THE SAME TASK FORCE IF WE ARE RECIPIENT? NO, NO. SO IT'S NOT REQUIRED, BUT THIS GIVES MY OFFICE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO AND LEARN AND BRING BACK THOSE LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE COUNTY. OKAY. OR REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES? NO. SO THIS IS ABSOLUTELY FREE. THIS IS NO DIFFERENT FROM MUTUAL AID FROM SURROUNDING FIRE DEPARTMENTS. THIS IS JUST AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT. IT'S FREE OF COST. I UNDERSTAND IT'S FREE OF COST. BUT WHEN I WHEN I KEEP WHEN I READ THESE THINGS, IT TALKS ABOUT IN THERE ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FROM FEMA.

DO WE FILL OUT ALL THE PAPERWORK FOR FEMA REIMBURSED FOR THAT? BECAUSE IF MY PEOPLE GO TO DEPLOY, RIGHT, I HAVE TO HAVE THEM TRAINED TO DEPLOY BEFORE THEY'RE ELIGIBLE. IF WE'RE COVERED UP IN MY PEOPLE INDIVIDUALLY SAY, WELL, I WANT TO GO BE DEPLOYED. ARE WE GOING TO PAY THOSE PERSONNEL TO GO WHEN WE'RE LACKING FOR HELP HERE? YEAH. SO WE'LL HAVE TO BE REIMBURSED BY FEMA. AND YOU'RE SAYING IT'S FREE TO US. I KNOW IT'S FREE, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF PAPERWORK INVOLVED WITH THAT ALSO. YEAH. SO I GUESS WOULD WE. GREAT. GREAT QUESTION. RAPHAEL.

SO IF PERSONNEL DEPLOYED FROM ELLIS COUNTY TO, LET'S SAY, YOU KNOW, THE HOUSTON AREA OR SOMETHING, WE WOULD STILL BE PAYING THEIR SALARIES WHILE THEY'RE IN THAT DEPLOYED POSITION? SO CORRECT. IS THERE ANY RE AS WELL AS POSSIBLY THEIR EXPENSES? I WOULD ASSUME SO. WOULD THERE BE ANY REIMBURSEMENT FROM TETUM OR FEMA FOR THAT? IT WILL DEPEND ON THE MAGNITUDE OF THE INCIDENT. IF IT'S A FEDERALLY DECLARED DISASTER, THEN OUR HOURS AS ELLIS COUNTY WILL BE CHARGED AS VOLUNTEER. SO OUR SALARIES WILL STILL BE PAID OR COST EMPLOYEES WILL BE COVERED BY THE COUNTY. BUT IF IN THE EVENT THAT IT DOESN'T REACH THAT MAGNITUDE, THEN IT'S JUST MUTUAL AID SUPPORT, THEN WE WOULD NOT GET REIMBURSEMENT.

CAN I ASK YOU KIND OF A RELATED QUESTION IS WHAT IF AN EMPLOYEE WANTS TO VOLUNTEER, WANTS TO DEPLOY, BUT THEIR SUPERVISOR AT THE COUNTY WOULD PREFER THAT THEY NOT DO THAT? DOES THE COUNTY OR DOES THE SUPERVISOR RETAIN THE CAPACITY TO TELL THEM NO? YES. OKAY. YEAH. SO THIS IS JUST A STEP ONE OF SIGNING THE AGREEMENT. STEP TWO WOULD BE TO DEVELOP SOME POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THOSE PERSONNEL. FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR PUBLIC WORKS AT THE ROAD AND BRIDGE PRECINCTS TO DEVELOP A, I GUESS, INTERNAL POLICIES. BUT YEAH, THAT'D BE THE SECOND STEP. OKAY. WE'VE NOT PARTICIPATED IN THIS BEFORE. NO. YES AND NO. SO THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE STATE IS DOING A BLANKET MOU.

TYPICALLY, EACH FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS HAD TO FILL ONE OUT INDIVIDUALLY, BUT THIS COVERS ALL OF THEM. SO ANY DEPLOYMENT TEAM AT THE STATE LEVEL, THIS WILL BE COVERED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. SO IT'S KIND OF LIKE ONE UMBRELLA BLANKET FOR SEVERAL SPECIALIZED FORCES. LEGAL READ THIS ONE. CAN YOU READ IT THE SAME WAY? I MEAN, IT'S ALL WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THAT WE'RE OUT THE MONEY, WHETHER IT'S FOR LODGING EXPENSES, WE'RE OUT THE

[00:15:02]

RAPHAEL, MAYBE YOU'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO VISIT WITH THE COMMISSIONERS INDIVIDUALLY AS WELL. SO YEAH, NORMALLY IF YOU COME LIKE BRING ME THE BACKUP BEFORE, YOU KNOW, I GET THIS STUFF LIKE ON FRIDAY OR THURSDAY. OKAY, BRING IT IN. WE ALL GET BACK UP, WE CAN READ IT AND THEN REACH OUT TO YOU AND SAY, HEY, CLUE ME IN ON THIS, CLUE ME IN ON THIS. AND THEN IT GOES A LOT EASIER WHEN WE GET IN HERE. I KNOW YOU'RE, YOU KNOW, MOVED INTO THE POSITION AND SORT OF, I GUESS, CALL PROTOCOL, BUT I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING BEFORE US AND ABSOLUTELY FROM NOW, WE'LL BE READY FOR IT. YEAH. THANKS, RAPHAEL. THANKS FOR BRINGING THEM. SO COMMISSIONERS AND GET DISCOURAGED. DON'T GET DISCOURAGED. WE'RE CAUTIOUS.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO BE CAUTIOUS. YEAH YEAH YEAH. WE APPRECIATE YOU, RAPHAEL. THANK

[1.1 Discussion, consideration, and action to release performance bonds and accept maintenance bonds for Ellis Ranch Manors. The ± 122.595-acre site is located ± 530 feet south of the intersection of Gibson Road and Broadhead Road, Waxahachie, Road & Bridge Precinct No’s. 1 & 4.]

NUMBERS ONE AND FOUR. ALBERTO. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. AS THE JUDGE READ, THIS IS A REQUEST TO RELEASE THE EXISTING PERFORMANCE BONDS TOTALING $3.39 MILLION. THAT'S FOR EARTHWORK DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENTS. AND TO REPLACE THAT WITH WITH THE SAME AMOUNT WITH A MAINTENANCE BOND, TWO YEAR MAINTENANCE BOND FOR THOSE SAME THREE ITEMS IN IN THE SAME AMOUNT. THIS IS FOR ELLIS RANCH MANOR. THE COURT DID APPROVE A FINAL PLAT OF THE SUBDIVISION EARLIER THIS MONTH, AND THAT CONSISTED OF 101 ACRE LOTS, AS STAFF DOES RECOMMEND APPROVAL, SUBJECT TO RELEASING THE PERFORMANCE BONDS AND ACCEPTING THE TWO YEAR MAINTENANCE BONDS AS PRESENTED. OKAY. MOTION TO ACCEPT. SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 1.1 FROM COMMISSIONER STINSON AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER ZYCK. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY I, I. DOES ANYONE OBJECT OR OPPOSE HEARING NO. OPPOSITION ITEM 1.1 PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 1.2, WHICH IS DISCUSSION,

[1.2 Discussion, consideration, and action to release the maintenance bond and accept the infrastructure for Estates of Palmer. The ± 57.683-acre site is located ± 485 feet east of the intersection of FM 813 and Farrar Road, Palmer, Road and Bridge Precinct No. 1.]

AND WE ARE ACCEPTING ABOUT FOUR JUST UNDER 4500 LINEAR FEET OF NEW ROAD, ALONG WITH 733FT OF

[00:20:03]

[1.3 Discussion, consideration, and action to release a performance bond and accept maintenance bond for Thunder Ridge Phase Three. The ± 32.669-acre site is located ± 1,165 feet south of the intersection of Old Maypearl Road and Paradise Ridge Drive, in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of the City of Maypearl, Road & Bridge Precinct No. 3.]

OKAY COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON 1.3? IF NOT, DOES ANYONE CARE TO MAKE A MOTION? MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 1.3 FROM COMMISSIONER PONDER AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY I. I. IS ANYONE OPPOSED? HEARING NO. OPPOSITION ITEM 1.3 PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU,

[2.1 Discussion, consideration, and action of the renewal agreement with Hibbs-Hallmark for comprehensive insurance for Ellis County. Renewal term is from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.]

EJ GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, HIBS, HALLMARK AND COMPANY PROVIDES THE COUNTY WITH PROPERTY LIABILITY, AUTO, LAW ENFORCEMENT, CYBER AND OTHER INSURANCE. TOTAL PREMIUM FOR. THE COVERAGE IS FOR. THE RENEWAL IS $1,889,909.20, WHICH INCLUDES THE NEW JEFFERSON STREET FACILITY AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REPLACEMENT VEHICLES THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING OUTFITTED. THE INCREASE IN PREMIUM FOR ALL COVERAGES WILL BE $286,098.20 FOR THE YEAR. DUE TO THE INCREASED COVERAGE AND PRIOR YEAR, CLAIMS. LORI NELSON WITH HIBS. HALLMARK IS WITH US TODAY AND AVAILABLE TO TAKE YOU THROUGH ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE, SPECIFICALLY COMMISSIONERS. ANY ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? OBVIOUSLY, THE INSURANCE PREMIUM IS INCREASING, YOU KNOW, NOT PREDICTING ANY MORE HAIL MARY. HAIL THIS YEAR WE NEED A QUIET YEAR. AND I THINK THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS WORKING HARD TO TO KEEP EVERYTHING QUIET ON THEIR SIDE. OKAY. OTHERWISE, JUST AS FAR AS THE EXISTING LINES OF INSURANCE, WE'RE JUST STICKING WITH THE SAME DEDUCTIBLES, SAME COVERAGE AMOUNTS, THAT TYPE OF THING DEDUCTIBLE DID INCREASE. WE STARTED OUT INITIALLY AT 10,000, AND THEN AFTER WE HAD ADDITIONAL HAIL DAMAGE, WE WERE AT 30, THEN WE WERE AT 50. ON OUR CURRENT. THIS WILL BE $100,000 FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE PER INCIDENT. OKAY. IS THAT THAT'S DUE TO OUR LOSS HISTORY OR CLAIMS? YES. THAT'S BECAUSE WE HAD THE EC, THE ELLIS COUNTY CENTRAL LOSS, AND THEN WE HAD THE HAIL. EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE INCURRED HAS BEEN PRETTY ROUGH.

OKAY, OKAY. THE WIND AND HAIL DEDUCTIBLE. MA'AM, MA'AM, DO YOU MIND COMING UP TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WATCHING ONLINE? CAN'T HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. SORRY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE MAKE SURE WE HAVE THIS RIGHT. THE $100,000 DEDUCTIBLE IS FOR CLAIMS OTHER THAN WIND OR HAIL.

SO SUCH AS LIKE WATER DAMAGE, LIGHTNING, THAT SORT OF THING. THE WIND AND HAIL DEDUCTIBLE IS 2% OF THE VALUE OF THE BUILDING AND CONTENTS, SUBJECT TO A 250 000 MINIMUM ON THAT DEDUCTIBLE.

SO. OKAY, SAY THAT AGAIN. IT'S 2% OF THE AFFECTED BUILDING AND CONTENTS VALUE. SO 2% OF THAT, BUT IT'S SUBJECT TO A 250 000 MINIMUM. SO THE GREATER THE SUBJECT BE SAID SUBJECT TO WIND AND HAIL. OKAY, 250 MINIMUM. YEAH. SO THAT DEDUCTIBLE IS EFFECTIVELY THE GREATER OF THE 2% OR 50,000. ANYTHING WE COVER, WE PAY ANYTHING 250,000 EACH OCCURRENCE, UNLESS THE TWO 2%

[00:25:04]

COMMISSIONERS. ANY OTHER THOUGHTS OR QUESTIONS? IF NOT, DOES ANYONE CARE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 2.1. SO MOVED. OKAY. WE HAVE A WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 2.1 FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER PONDER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. IS ANYONE OPPOSED? ITEM 2.1 PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU

[3.1 Discussion, consideration, and action to set mandatory payment rate for Fiscal Year 2027, pursuant to Chapter 296A.101 of the Texas Health & Safety Code. – County Treasurer, Lauri Hartley (Part 1 of 2)]

THEY ARE WITH THE CONSULTING FIRM, EXCUSE ME. THEY ARE PART OF A ADELANTO HEALTH CARE.

THEY'RE BASED OUT OF AUSTIN, AND THEY ASSIST HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS WITH THESE COMPLICATED REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAMS. THE LP, WHICH IS THE LOCAL PROVIDER PARTICIPATION PROGRAM. AND CURRENTLY, I FEEL LIKE WE'RE FORTUNATE THAT THREE OF OUR COUNTY COMMUNITY HOSPITALS, BAYLOR, SCOTT AND WHITE IN IN THIS REGIONAL AND METHODIST MIDLOTHIAN, ALL PARTICIPATE IN THOSE PROGRAMS. SO WOULD YOU GUYS LIKE TO COME ON UP? MICHAEL AND KIMBERLY, COME ON UP AND THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I DO THINK IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO AND MICHAEL AND KIMBERLY CAN SPEAK TO THIS, BUT IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT COST THE COUNTY ANY MONEY AND PROVIDES A WAY FOR OUR LOCAL HOSPITALS TO RECEIVE SOME MONEY, I THINK, THROUGH FROM FEDERAL SOURCES. AT LEAST. THAT'S ALL CORRECT, JUDGE. THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS MICHAEL NEAL. AS AS MONICA SAID, I'M WITH ADELANTO HEALTHCARE VENTURES. THIS IS MY COLLEAGUE KIMBERLY LAMB. DO YOU WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF YOUR LOCAL HOSPITALS HERE TO STRENGTHEN YOUR YOUR HEALTH CARE NETWORK HERE IN, IN ELLIS COUNTY. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MONICA AND LORI FOR WORKING THROUGH US, ON GETTING US ON THE AGENDA HERE TODAY AND MAKING SURE THE PROGRAM IS RUNNING SMOOTHLY AND OPERATING AS IT SHOULD. AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN A GOOD PARTNER WITH THE HOSPITALS ON THIS PROGRAM SINCE, I BELIEVE, 2019. AND AS THE JUDGE INDICATED, WHAT THIS DOES, IT DOES NOT COST, DOES NOT USE ANY COUNTY GENERAL REVENUE. THESE THESE PAYMENTS MADE BY THE HOSPITALS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE PASSED ON TO THE PATIENTS VIA ANY TYPE OF A SURCHARGE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THAT'S ALL BY BY STATE LAW. INSTEAD, WHAT IT DOES IS IT ALLOWS THE COUNTY, THE HOSPITALS RATHER TO USE THEIR OWN DOLLARS TO UNLOCK MATCHING, MATCHING FEDERAL FUNDS THAT THE STATE HAS SECURED FOR TEXAS TO BRING THOSE DOLLARS BACK INTO YOUR COUNTY HERE TO REIMBURSE YOUR HOSPITALS WHEN THEY SEE MEDICAID PATIENTS TO SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO SEE THAT POPULATION WHO'S BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. BUT THOSE DOLLARS ALSO GO IN TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HOSPITALS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN RETAIN AND RECRUIT TALENTED DOCTORS AND NURSES, CONTINUE THEIR LINES OF SERVICES, MAKE SURE THAT THE ENTIRE COUNTY, THE CITIZENS IN YOUR COUNTY HAVE ACCESS TO TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE HERE. AND SO WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. I DID ALSO NEGLECT TO MENTION WE HAVE WITH US A REPRESENTATIVE FROM BAYLOR, SCOTT AND WHITE, MISTER BILL GALINSKY, TO HELP ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE FOR US. BUT WE WOULD REQUEST THAT YOU CONTINUE AS AS THE JUDGE SAID, THIS IS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. YOU SET THE AMOUNT THAT THE HOSPITALS NEED TO PAY IN THIS YEAR. WE'RE ASKING YOU TO SET THAT AT 6% OF THE NET PATIENT REVENUE AND 6% OF THE NET OUTPATIENT REVENUE FOR THE HOSPITALS SERVICES PROVIDED HERE. THANK YOU. OKAY. COMMISSIONERS, ANY ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? AGAIN, I THINK THE RELEVANT POINTS ARE IT DOESN'T COST US ANYTHING AND IT HELPS INDIGENT HEALTH CARE, HELPS THE LOCAL HOSPITALS PROVIDE INDIGENT HEALTH CARE. I THINK WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS,

[00:30:03]

[P.1 Conduct a public hearing to discuss setting the mandatory payment rate for Fiscal Year 2027 applicable to Ellis County’s local provider participation program.]

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE I. IS ANYONE OPPOSED HEARING? NO OPPOSITION. THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN, AND I DON'T THINK WE'VE HAD ANYONE THAT SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ON THE PUBLIC HEARING. ALL RIGHT. SO SINCE NO ONE HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, I WOULD TAKE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I'LL MOVE. SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FROM COMMISSIONER PONDER AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. IS ANYONE OPPOSED HEARING? NO. OPPOSITION. THE PUBLIC HEARING

[3.1 Discussion, consideration, and action to set mandatory payment rate for Fiscal Year 2027, pursuant to Chapter 296A.101 of the Texas Health & Safety Code. – County Treasurer, Lauri Hartley (Part 2 of 2)]

[3.2 Discussion, consideration, and action for the County Judge to sign the engagement letter with Pattillo, Brown & Hill LLP to perform external audit services for the FY2026 annual audit for Ellis County. – County Auditor, Staci Parr]

SO WE'VE GONE OVER THE 750 000 THAT TRIGGERS A SINGLE AUDIT. SO THEY'LL BE DOING THAT AS WELL AS OUR ANNUAL FINANCIALS. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS KIND OF OUR GENERAL ANNUAL AUDIT. EXTERNAL AUDIT THAT WE NORMALLY GET THE RESULTS AROUND APRIL. THEY USUALLY BECAUSE WE WE DO GO OUT FOR THE GFOA CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR OUR ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT.

THEY HAVE TO ISSUE IT BY 180 DAYS AFTER THE FISCAL YEAR IS OVER, WHICH IS MARCH 31ST.

RIGHT? OKAY. OKAY. SAME FIRM, KIND OF THE SAME PROCEDURE AS HAS OCCURRED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, COMMISSIONERS. NO. IT'S ANNUAL. YEAH. I'LL MAKE A MOTION. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 3.2 FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER PONDER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY I, I. IS ANYONE OPPOSED? HEARING NO.

OPPOSITION ITEM 3.2 PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. STACY. OKAY. WE'LL NOW TAKE UP ITEM

[3.3 Discussion, consideration, and action to approve the updated 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan in accordance with current IRS contribution guidelines. – Interim Human Resources Director, Norma Luna]

THANK YOU. NORMA. CHARLOTTE. YES, SIR. PLEASE SHARE WITH US WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE.

ALL RIGHT. WELL, GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. I'LL JUST JUMP RIGHT INTO IT. THIS ITEM AMENDS OUR EXISTING 457 B AGREEMENT WITH CORBRIDGE, FORMERLY KNOWN AS VALIC. IT IS TO COMPLY WITH CHANGES THE IRS MADE WITH THE CATCH UP CONTRIBUTION RULES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST, 2026.

THE AMENDMENT ALLOWS CORBRIDGE TO ESTABLISH THE NECESSARY ROTH ACCOUNTS FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE THEIR CATCH UP CONTRIBUTIONS ON A POST-TAX BASIS. THIS DOES NOT CREATE ANY ADDITIONAL COUNTY CONTRIBUTION OR FUTURE COST IS SIMPLY ALLOWS THE PLAN TO ADMINISTER THE

[00:35:05]

OKAY. THANK YOU CHARLOTTE. SO TO KIND OF SUMMARIZE, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, YOU KNOW, FOR PERSONS, THIS IS THE COUNTY'S DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN, BUT FOR WHICH PARTICIPATION IN IN THAT IS VOLUNTARY AND IT'S A PAYROLL DEDUCTION FROM THE EMPLOYEE. IT DOESN'T COST THE COUNTY ANYTHING. BUT FOR PERSONS OVER 50 THEY CAN MAKE AN ADDITIONAL CATCH UP CONTRIBUTION. THAT'S KIND OF COMMON IN A LOT OF IRAS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. SO THERE WAS A CHANGE. IRS MADE A SLIGHT CHANGE, I GUESS, AND WE JUST NEED TO UPDATE OUR PLAN TO REFLECT THAT CHANGE. EXACTLY. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? WHAT YOU THINK WOULD BE INVOLVED WITH THIS? I MEAN, IT WOULD PROBABLY HAVE LESS THAN FIVE PARTICIPANTS. YES. OR 10%. NO LESS THAN FIVE PARTICIPANTS WITH THE. YEAH. YES, SIR. LESS THAN FIVE YEARS, YOU KNOW, OUT OF HOW MANY IT AFFECTS MOSTLY HIGH EARNERS. YEAH. RIGHT. OKAY.

OKAY. CAN YOU PUT IN 24,000. YEAH. 4000, 24,500. YES, SIR. I THINK IF YOU'RE 50 OR OLDER YOU CAN PUT IN 32,000. 532 YES, I'M DOING BOTH. YES SIR. RIGHT. AND THEN OVER 60. THEN YOU CAN DO AN EXTRA MORE, YOU KNOW. BUT IN ORDER FOR VALID CORBRIDGE TO BE ABLE TO DIFFERENTIATE THAT MONEY, THEY HAVE TO HAVE THAT AGREEMENT THAT THEY CAN PUT MONEY INTO THE DIFFERENT BUCKETS PER SE. AND WITHOUT THE AMENDMENT OF THE AGREEMENT, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT. RIGHT. SO WE WOULD TECHNICALLY BE PUTTING OUR EMPLOYEES AT COMPLIANCE WITH THE IRS. RIGHT. OKAY. COMMISSIONERS, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON ITEM 3.3? IF NOT, I WOULD TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT. SO OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 3.3 FROM COMMISSIONER STENSON AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER ZIKE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. IS ANYONE OPPOSED? HEARING NO. OPPOSITION ITEM 3.3 PASSES

[3.4 Discussion, consideration, and action to renew or modify the current County Silver Retiree Health Insurance coverage premiums through the Texas Association of Counties Health and Employee Benefits Pool (TAC HEBP) for the calendar year 2027, including for the County Judge to sign the renewal. – Interim Human Resources Director, Norma Luna]

[00:40:03]

RIGHT? I WAS, YEAH, SO WE'RE CURRENTLY PAYING 64,000. YES. SO THIS WOULD WE WOULD ACTUALLY ONLY GO UP BY 5000. OKAY. BUT IF WE STAYED AT THE 50, 50, 50 WE'D BE AT 67 ANYWAY. SO REALLY IT'S ONLY A 2500 INCREASE. CORRECT. I SEE WHAT YOU'RE. YEAH. OKAY. THAT'S A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE SERVED THE COUNTY. YEAH. 24 EMPLOYEES. YES. SPREAD ACROSS THE. YEAH, YEAH. COMMISSIONERS. ANY OTHER THOUGHTS OR DISCUSSIONS? I THINK IT'D BE A GOOD DEAL. YEAH. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 3.4 FROM COMMISSIONER STENSON TO APPROVE IT AS PRESENTED. WE HAVE A SECOND, I BELIEVE. SECOND, I THINK COMMISSIONER BUTLER JUMPED IN AND COMMISSIONER PONDER HAD ALREADY JUMPED IN WITH A SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY I. I IS ANYONE OPPOSED HEARING NO. OPPOSITION ITEM 3.4 PASSES

[3.5 Discussion, consideration, and action to approve the Personnel Action Procedures for Pay Increases, Reclassifications, and Departmental Transfers. – Interim Human Resources Director, Norma Luna]

THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE COUNTY'S CURRENT PRACTICE. IT SIMPLY FORMALIZES THE PRACTICE SO THERE'S CLEAR AND CONSISTENT PROCEDURE MOVING FORWARD. OKAY. VERY GOOD. AND I BELIEVE YOU'VE WORKED WITH THE LEGAL TEAM ON THIS AND THEY THEY WERE ENCOURAGING US TO DO THIS AS WELL. YES. OKAY. OKAY. COMMISSIONERS, ANY ANY THOUGHTS OR COMMENTS ON ITEM 3.5? I MEAN, IT'S I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS WRITTEN. YEAH, THAT'S THE PROCESS. WELL, ALWAYS TOOK SO I MEAN, YEAH, NOT TO BE WRITTEN. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. YEAH. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD POINT. BUT APPARENTLY IT HASN'T BEEN WRITTEN. SO SO YOU KNOW, OUR LEGAL ADVISERS SUGGEST WE SHOULD PUT IT IN WRITING. AND I THINK THAT'S GOOD ADVICE. IF THAT'S THE CASE, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT IT IN THE. OKAY. WE HAVE AN ITEM TO IT IS WRITTEN. YEAH. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 3.5 FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER PONDER.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY I, I DOES ANYONE OPPOSED HEARING NO. OPPOSITION ITEM 3.5 PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. WE HOPE YOUR VOICE GETS BETTER SOON,

[3.6 Discussion, consideration, and action to revoke Minute Order No. 281.26, adopting the Ellis County Fire Code to include the 2024 edition of the International Fire Code, the Commissioners will review at a later date. – Fire Marshal Tim Birdwell]

FOR THE OFFICIAL RECORD. I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT I DID NOT REQUEST THIS AGENDA ITEM BE PLACED BEFORE COMMISSIONERS COURT, NOR DID I WRITE THE AGENDA REQUEST BEING PRESENTED TODAY. MY PURPOSE IS TO EXPRESS MY PROFESSIONAL CONCERNS AND OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSED REVOCATION OF MINUTE ORDER NUMBER 281.26, WHICH ADOPTED THE ELLIS COUNTY FIRE CODE, INCLUDING THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE. ON AUGUST 18TH, 2026. THE 2024

[00:45:08]

FIRE CODES ESTABLISH ESTABLISHED MINIMUM STANDARDS INTENDED TO PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, PROPERTY AND FIRST RESPONDERS. ULTIMATELY THE FIRST RESPONDERS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS HERE. THE 2024 IFC ADDRESSES MODERN FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY HAZARDS, AND REVOKING THE ADOPTED CODE RAISES IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY, ENFORCEMENT CONSISTENCY AND THE STANDARDS THAT WOULD APPLY MOVING FORWARD.

THERE ARE ALSO PRACTICAL CONSEQUENCES TO CONSIDER FIRE INSPECTORS, BUILDING DEVELOPERS, ENGINEERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS RELY ON ESTABLISHED REQUIREMENTS TO GUIDE INSPECTIONS, CONSTRUCTION AND COMPLIANCE. REVOKING THE ADOPTED FIRE CODE COULD CREATE UNCERTAINTY FOR THOSE STAKEHOLDERS. IN EFFECT, THE CONSISTENT ADMINISTRATION OF FIRE PREVENTION REQUIREMENTS. WE MUST ALSO RECOGNIZE THE COUNTY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT ACCOUNT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, OPERATIONAL NEEDS AND POTENTIAL LEGAL AND FINANCIAL FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES. ANY DECISION TO REVOKE THE ADOPTED FIRE CODE SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THESE RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE COUNTY AND ITS RESIDENTS. I WANT TO BE CLEAR MY OBJECTIVE IS NOT ABOUT RESISTING CHANGE. IT IS ABOUT MAINTAINING AN ESTABLISHED FIRE SAFETY STANDARD THAT THIS COURT HAS ALREADY ADOPTED. REVOKING THAT STANDARD SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS A SIMPLE ADMINISTRATIVE TASK OR ACTION WITHOUT FULLY CONSIDERING THE CONSEQUENCES. THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE PROVIDES AN ESTABLISHED FRAMEWORK FOR FIRE PREVENTION AND LIFE SAFETY, MAINTAINING THE CURRENT ADOPTION SUPPORTS CONSISTENCY IN ENFORCEMENT AND PROVIDES CLEAR EXPECTATIONS FOR THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLYING WITH THE CODE. FOR THESE REASONS, I RESPECTFULLY ASK COMMISSIONERS COURT TO REJECT THE PROPOSED REVOCATION OF MINUTE ORDER NUMBER 281.26 AND MAINTAIN THE CURRENTLY ADOPTED 2024 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE. OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC, SUPPORT CONSISTENT FIRE PREVENTION PRACTICES, AND MAKE DECISIONS THAT PRESERVE THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONERS? I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER PONDER, I THINK YOU WERE IN PARTICULAR INTERESTED IN THIS ITEM. DO YOU HAVE ANY YES. YOU WANT TO ADD? YEAH. YOU WERE INADVERTENTLY YOUR NAME WAS PUT ON THIS. I WAS THE ONE THAT REQUESTED THIS BECAUSE I WANT I WANTED TO LOOK AT IT FURTHER. AND IT'S NOT THAT I'M NECESSARILY AGAINST IMPROVING OUR FIRE CODE. I DON'T THINK WE HAD ENOUGH TIME.

I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A WORKSHOP TO GO OVER THIS STUFF AND REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING. I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON HERE, FEE INCREASES. THERE'S THERE'S MULTIPLE PLACES HERE WHERE IT TALKS ABOUT FEE INCREASES, FEE INCREASES, FEE INCREASES, FIRE SPRINKLERS FOR SELF STORAGE BUILDINGS. I MEAN, THESE ARE STEEL BUILDINGS. THERE'S NOT A LOT. I MEAN, THERE MAY BE STUFF INSIDE THERE TO BURN. BUT MY FEAR IS, IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WE'RE GOING TO CREATE A SITUATION WHERE ONLY THE WALMARTS, THE HOME DEPOTS, THE, THE LOWE'S, THE BIG BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO BE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN AFFORD TO DO BUSINESS HERE IN ELLIS COUNTY. IF WE'RE NOT CAREFUL WITH THESE FEES, YOU KNOW, THE THE JOHN Q PUBLIC THAT DECIDES HE WANTS TO START A BUSINESS HERE IN ELLIS COUNTY AND STARTS TRYING TO DO IT, AND HE HAS TO PAY A BUNCH OF A BUNCH OF INCREASED PERMITTING FEES AND OTHER FEES LIKE THAT HAS TO PUT IN A CONCRETE FIRE LANE ON HIS BUSINESS WHENEVER HE CAN'T REALLY AFFORD TO DO THAT MUCH, WHEN IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE NECESSARY, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE THE SUBSTRATE IS THERE.

I THINK WE IMPOSE TOO MUCH OF A BURDEN ON THAT PERSON THAT WANTS TO OPEN THAT BUSINESS.

AND EVEN IF THEY DO IT WELL, WE KNOW THAT THAT INCREASE COSTS FOR THAT PERSON OPENING THAT BUSINESS IS JUST GOING TO GET HANDED DOWN TO THE RESIDENTS HERE IN ELLIS COUNTY. SO ESSENTIALLY, IT'S A HIDDEN TAX ON THESE FOLKS. THEY'RE GOING TO THE THOSE OF US THAT USE THAT THAT SERVICE ARE GOING TO PAY MORE FOR THAT SERVICE BECAUSE THAT BUSINESS OWNER IS GOING TO PASS IT DOWN. IT'S NOT THAT I'M AGAINST THIS ALTOGETHER. I THINK WE SHOULD JUST WE SHOULD REVOKE IT FOR NOW. THIS IS MY POSITION. REVOKE IT FOR NOW. WE CAN COME

[00:50:03]

SO IF IF A BUSINESS IS LOCATED IN THE CITY LIMITS OF A CITY, THE CITY'S FIRE CODE APPLIES, RIGHT? AND THE CITY'S INSPECT. THE COUNTY DOESN'T KNOW, SIR. WE'RE ONLY IN THE UNINCORPORATED. UNINCORPORATED. THIS ONLY APPLIES TO CITIES ARE MORE A LOT MORE RESTRICTIVE.

YEAH, THEY'RE MORE THAN WE ARE. A LOT MORE. ISN'T THE FIRE CODE WE JUST ADOPTED ISN'T THAT MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN ENNIS, MIDLOTHIAN AND WAXAHACHIE BECAUSE THEY'RE 2021 AND WE JUST WE JUST NO, NO, I THINK WAXAHACHIE FIXING TO GO TO THE 2024 MIDLOTHIAN AND ALL THEM REQUIRE CONCRETE FIRE LANES. WELL, BUT WHAT WHAT YOU SENT TO ME WAS THE CITIES OF ENNIS, MIDLOTHIAN, WAXAHACHIE HAVE ADOPTED 2021. WE JUST ADOPTED 2024. RIGHT. SO I WOULD ASSUME THAT WHAT WE JUST ADOPTED IS MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THAN MIDLOTHIAN. AND IF YOU COMPARE THE TWO AND LOOK AT THEM. THERE'S NOT NOT MUCH, ESPECIALLY DEALING WITH FIRE LANES AND THINGS. SPRINKLERS. WE'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE SOME RESIDENTIAL HOMEOWNER JUST GO IN. YOU KNOW THE WHOLE COUNTY AND SPRINKLER THEIR HOME. WE CAN'T EVEN WE DON'T EVEN HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH RESIDENTIAL FIRES, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL. I'M TALKING ABOUT COMMERCIAL, YOU KNOW, FOR MORE UNITS. BUT AND AGAIN, I'M NOT NECESSARILY AGAINST SOME OF THE THINGS IN HERE. I JUST THINK I JUST THINK WE NEED TO TAKE MORE TIME. I THINK SOMETHING THAT'S THIS THAT AFFECTS THE COUNTY AS MUCH AS IT DOES. I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A WORKSHOP, SOME BIGGER DISCUSSIONS AND AND LEARN THE INS AND OUTS A LITTLE MORE THAN JUST WHAT WE RECEIVED IN THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, AND THEN MAKE A MORE EDUCATED DECISION. I THINK I THINK WE OWE IT TO THE RESIDENTS OF ELLIS COUNTY, THE BUSINESS OWNERS IN ELLIS COUNTY, TO DO THAT FOR THEM.

AND THAT'S MY THAT'S THAT'S THE REASON WHY I WANT TO REVOKE IT FOR NOW. AND WE LOOK AT IT LATER. AGAIN, WE WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AND WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE FIREFIGHTERS SITTING RIGHT OVER THERE, TOO. BEFORE THIS ONE, WE WERE ON THE 20 2018, 2018. DID THEY REQUIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS? YES THEY DID, BUT IT WAS FOR A SQUARE FOOTAGE OF LIKE 12,000. OKAY. SOME SOME CLASS OF BUSINESSES DIDN'T HAVE TO HAVE IT. THERE WAS ONE THAT WAS IN THERE FOR 7500. OF COURSE, THAT WAS EVENT CENTERS AND BARS AND RESTAURANTS THAT SERVE ALCOHOL. AND WHAT IS THE CHANGE WITH THE NEW 2024 PLAN? IT'S STILL PRETTY MUCH THE SAME AS FAR AS THAT. DID IT REQUIRE A FIRE LANE IN THE 2018? I'M SORRY, DID IT REQUIRE A FIRE OR A CONCRETE FIRE LANE? NO, SIR. NO. THIS IS SOMETHING NEW. THE 2024 VERSION. YES. THIS IS SOMETHING NEW THAT WE CAME UP WITH. I MEAN, IT IT, YOU KNOW, MAKES THE BUSINESSES LOOK GOOD. YOU DON'T GET A LOT OF RIFF RAFF COMING IN OUT THERE. YOU KNOW, THAT WE DON'T WANT. AND PLUS IT ALSO ADDRESSES, YOU KNOW, THE DATA CENTERS, THE SOLAR FARMS, BATTERIES, YOU KNOW, EV BATTERIES, ALL THAT STUFF LIKE THAT. WHERE NOW WE, I, AND I, AND I AGREE WITH THAT. BUT I DO AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER PONDER. I DON'T WANT TO PUT AN UNDUE STRAIN ON, YOU KNOW, MOM AND POP OUT THERE THAT WANT TO START A LOCAL BUSINESS IN ELLIS COUNTY. YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT SEVERAL FRIENDS THAT HAVE GOT BUSINESSES OUT IN THE COUNTY THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY GOT A GRAVEL DRIVEWAY GOING UP THERE. IT'S A NICE PLACE, BUT YOU KNOW, THEY'RE 250 300 FOOT OFF THE ROAD. THEY COULDN'T AFFORD TO CONCRETE ALL THE WAY

[00:55:05]

THEY'RE GRANDFATHERED. WE'RE NOT WORRIED ABOUT THEM. BUT IF SOMEBODY WANTED TO GO START A NEW BUSINESS, ALL OF THAT IS NEW OVERHEAD COST AND ALREADY RISKY VENTURE OF STARTING A NEW BUSINESS. WELL, I'M WONDERING IF THEY'RE THAT FAR OFF THE ROAD OR ARE THEY GOING TO GET ANY BUSINESS? OH IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THEIR BUSINESS IS. YOU KNOW IF THEY'RE A LOT, DO WELL A LOT. DO YOU KNOW, ARGUING ABOUT THIS. WHY DID WE ALL VOTE APPROVED. WHAT WAS THE QUESTION AGAIN COMMISSIONER. I AGREE NO WE DID IT. YEAH WE DID. WE DID VOTE TO APPROVE IT LONG.

EVERYTHING IN THERE WAS RED LINE THAT HE HAD IN THERE, AND I HAD A COPY AT MY OFFICE BEFORE I GOT TO THIS. YEAH. NO, I, I HAD A COPY TOO, AND I LOOKED AT IT AND, AND INADVERTENTLY OR MISTAKENLY ON MY PART, I VOTED FOR IT BEFORE I THOUGHT THOUGHT IT THROUGH.

AND THAT'S WHY I FEEL LIKE I FEEL LIKE REVOKING IT FOR NOW. SO WE CAN DIG IN A LITTLE BIT DEEPER, LOOK AT IT FURTHER, GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF, OF THE IMPLICATIONS WE'RE GOING TO PUT ON THE RESIDENTS OF ELLIS COUNTY, THE PEOPLE THAT'S WANTING TO OPEN A BUSINESS, THE PEOPLE THAT ALREADY HAVE A BUSINESS. I THINK WE CAN COME BACK IN MUCH OF THESE THINGS.

WE CAN APPROVE. BUT I WOULD LIKE I WOULD LIKE, BEFORE WE START IMPOSING A BUNCH OF EXTRA FEES ON PEOPLE AND A BUNCH OF EXTRA RESTRICTIONS, I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND IT BETTER.

AND I JUST DON'T I JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE WE DID. I'D LIKE TO KEEP IT. THIS YOUR FIRE LANES DIDN'T. THEY DON'T APPLY TO A BUSINESS. IT'S MORE FOR LIKE YOUR RVS, YOUR CLUSTER, YOU KNOW, OF BUSINESSES. IT'S NOT LIKE A MOM AND POP THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. AGAIN, IT'S GOT TO SUPPORT THE LOAD OF THAT FIRE TRUCK. SO IT DOESN'T SO IT DOESN'T DIRT ROADS AND THESE.

ROADS YOU KNOW THAT. YEAH. I MEAN, THESE GUYS, THEY'RE SPENDING OVER $1 MILLION FOR FIRE TRUCK. AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THEM DRIVE IT OFF ON A MUDDY ROAD. HOW ABOUT THIS. WE DON'T REVOKE IT. IF THERE'S ANYTHING IN THE FIRE CODE THAT YOU SEE THAT WE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK AND AMEND IT. WELL, I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU THAT. SO SCOTT, AS I APPRECIATE THAT YOU TOOK THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE 2024 AND YOU REVIEWED IT INTERNATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL, AND YOU HAD SOME SOME CHANGES THAT YOU FELT WERE APPROPRIATE FOR ELLIS COUNTY. IS THAT RIGHT? SO WHAT WE ADOPTED WAS REVIEWED BY YOU WITH CHANGES THAT YOU FELT WERE SPECIFIC TO ELLIS COUNTY? YES, SIR. I THINK WHAT WHAT COMMISSIONER PONDER IS SAYING IS HE WOULD JUST LIKE A CHANCE TO, IN A WORKSHOP TO SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND KIND OF GO THROUGH SOME OF THOSE CHANGES ON A MORE DIALED IN BASIS, BECAUSE AS I APPRECIATE IT, THAT'S THAT'S VERY NORMAL FOR LOCALITIES THAT A THAT ADOPT THIS, THEY HAVE TWEAKS THAT ARE APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR LOCALITY. RIGHT. AND I JUST, I JUST APPRECIATE WHAT COMMISSIONER PONDER IS SAYING IS HE WOULD LIKE MORE ENGAGEMENT OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IN THAT THOSE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH, JUDGE. I MEAN, WE PUT THE WHOLE NINE YARDS. WE HAD NO OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS OTHER THAN WHEN WE GOT HERE IN COURT THREE TIMES. IF I COULD MEET WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER, I, I DO NOT REMEMBER EVER DISCUSSING THIS WITH YOU.

PLEASE, IF YOU WANT TO CALL ME A LIAR, YOU'RE WELCOME TO. BUT I DO NOT REMEMBER YOU EVER ASKING ME TO DISCUSS THIS. I DON'T I DON'T SAY WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO AMEND THIS IF WE NEED TO. CORRECT. YES. SO I, I DON'T MY BIGGEST PROBLEM IS I DON'T I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF REVOKING IT BECAUSE THE SAFETY AND THE PROTECTION OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS IS WORTH MORE THAN REVOKING THIS TODAY, IN MY OPINION. SO I THINK WE SHOULD LEAVE IT IN PLACE. AND THEN IF WE WANT TO LOOK AT IT AND BRING AMENDMENTS TO THE COURT, I THINK THAT'S VERY APPROPRIATE.

OKAY. I WHAT HERE'S HERE'S KIND OF A MIDDLE MIDDLE POSITION. WHAT IF WE DON'T REVOKE IT TODAY, BUT WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A WORKSHOP TO GO THROUGH IT ITEM BY ITEM. AND PUBLIC, OF COURSE, WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT WORKSHOP.

AND THEN IF SOMEONE CARES TO PROPOSE AMENDMENTS AFTER THE WORKSHOP, WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK AT IT THAT WAY. RV PARK IN MY PRECINCT. IT'S BEEN THERE MAYBE A COUPLE OF YEARS. IT WAS DONE WITH CHIPSEAL, AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE DRIVE'S DONE WITH CHIPSEAL. THEY'RE OUT THERE TODAY TEARING IT OUT, TRYING TO PUT CONCRETE DOWN BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MAKE THE TURNS WITHOUT TEARING THE THING UP. AND SO WE'RE WONDERING IF MAYBE FIVE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD

[01:00:02]

PEOPLE ARE PAYING IT. NOW. I'VE GOT SOME IN MY PRECINCT OUT THERE THAT THEY'RE THEY STARTED OUT AS FOUR CAMPERS. NOW THEY SIX CAMPERS PARKED THERE. THEY GOT GRAVEL GOING IN. AND YOU AIN'T PULLING A FIRE TRUCK IN THERE. MAYBE WEDNESDAY NIGHT OR THURSDAY NIGHT AFTER WE GET THESE RAINS THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, YOU'RE NOT GETTING IN THERE. WE'VE HAD FIRES OUT HERE AT RV PARKS ON 287 THAT THEY'RE CRAMPED IN THERE. THEY'RE PACKED IN. AND THE ONLY WAY WE STOP THE FIRE OUT THERE WAS THAT ONE GUY DECIDED, HEY, IT'S JUMPING FROM THAT CAMPER TO THIS CAMPER TO THIS CAMPER. THE ONLY WAY I'M GOING TO STOP IT IS IF I CAN HOOK ON TO MINE AND DRAG IT OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE IT CONTINUES TO DOMINO ALL THE WAY TO THE NEXT ROW. AND WE'RE STANDING HERE ARGUING BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO SUPPORT OUR FIREFIGHTERS. I MEAN, I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE STAYING IN AN RV PARK ON GRAVEL MYSELF. COMMISSIONER. THAT IS NOT MY POSITION. IT'S NOT ABOUT NOT SUPPORTING FIREFIGHTERS AT ALL. IT'S ABOUT IMPOSING FEES ON PEOPLE ARBITRARILY WITHOUT. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THESE FEES ARE. I DON'T REMEMBER SEEING ANYWHERE IN THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENT HOW MUCH WE WERE GOING TO INCREASE THESE FEES. AND AGAIN, IT MAY BE FINE. I MAY BE FINE WITH IT AFTER WE SPEND SOME TIME AND REVIEW IT. BUT IT'S NOT ABOUT IT'S NOT ABOUT NOT SUPPORTING FIREFIGHTERS. I AM THAT IS NOT MY POSITION AT ALL. MY POSITION IS IS I DON'T WANT TO IMPOSE TOO MUCH STRESS ON SOME YOUNG COUPLE OR WHOEVER THAT WANTS TO START A BUSINESS, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO IMPOSE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN COSTS, IN FIRE LANES OR WHATEVER ELSE WITHOUT REVIEWING IT FIRST. THAT'S MY POSITION. THIS IS NOT THIS IS NOT AGAINST FIREFIGHTERS IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. AND I ANYWAY, IT DOES AFFECT THEM. IF YOU GOT SOMEBODY MAYBE MAYBE NOT. DEPENDS IF THERE IF THERE'S A GOOD SOLID GRAVEL ROAD. I'VE SEEN FIRE TRUCKS GO DOWN MANY A GRAVEL ROADS AND NOT SINK DOWN.

SO IF THERE'S A GOOD SOLID GRAVEL ROAD THERE, THEY CAN GO DOWN THAT AND CONCRETE'S NOT NECESSARY. NOW PLACES IT MAY BE IN SOME PLACES, BUT IN SOME PLACES IT'S NOT OF APPROVAL ON THAT. COMMISSIONER. WHAT ABOUT PUT MY STAMP OF APPROVAL ON WHAT ON THESE SUPPOSEDLY ROCK ROADS, DIRT ROADS OR WHATEVER. I DO IT ALL THE TIME. WE WE WE'VE GOT WE'VE GOT MILES AND MILES OF IT IN MY PRECINCT. WE HAVEN'T CONCRETED THEM, BUT MOST OF THEM ARE PAVED OR CONCRETE. NO, I GOT TONS OF GRAVEL ROADS IN MY PRECINCT THAT I CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T GET I DON'T HAVE THE TAX REVENUE COMING IN FOR ME TO PAVE ALL THOSE ROADS. SO OUR CHOICE IS TO GO OUT THERE, BLADE THEM, GET THEM SMOOTH SO PEOPLE CAN TRAVEL ON THEM. AND THEN WHEN THEY GET BEAT UP AND THEY GET POTHOLED, WE BLADE THEM AND GET THEM SMOOTH AGAIN.

GOOD POINT. YES, SIR. YEAH. WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK AND MAKE ALL THESE GREAT RESIGNATION RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS COMING IN. ARE WE JUST GOING TO LET THEM GO TO GRAVEL AND DIRT ROADS NOW? NO WE'RE NOT. WE HAVE A REQUIREMENT. YOU HAVE TO PAVE THE ROAD. THAT ROAD HAS TO BE PAVED BEFORE THEY CAN PUT A PUT A NEIGHBORHOOD IN THERE. WELL, I THINK YOU'RE GETTING IN THE WEEDS. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS DISCUSSION. I THINK I THINK A LOT OF IT IS THESE TRAILER PARKS ARE. YEAH. WELL, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT TRAILER PARKS. I'M I'M TALKING ABOUT BUSINESSES IN GENERAL. IF WE'RE GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO SOME NEW, SOME YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR THAT WANTS TO OPEN A BUSINESS AND WE'RE GOING TO IMPOSE A BUNCH OF FEES ON THEM, WE GET HIT AND HIT THEM WITH FEE HERE. THERE'S A FEE THERE. THERE'S ANOTHER FEE THERE. OH, BY THE WAY, NOW YOU GOT TO SPEND $1 MILLION ON CONCRETE. I MEAN, IT'S YOU MAKE IT TO WHERE THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN DO IT IS THE BIG GUYS, AND THE LITTLE GUYS ARE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE, UNABLE TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO BECAUSE WE'VE MADE IT TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THEM. AND THAT THAT'S MY CONCERN, IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT TOO EXPENSIVE. AND THAT'S THE ONLY REASON WHY I WANT TO REVOKE THIS. SO WE CAN COME BACK AND LOOK AT IT, BECAUSE OCTOBER 1ST, IF WE DON'T REVOKE IT, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE STUCK WITH THAT RULE UNTIL WE REVIEW IT AND DECIDE IF THERE'S SOMETHING WE WANT TO CHANGE. IF WE REVOKE IT NOW, WELL, IF WE WELL, WE HAVE TO, BUT WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO AMEND IT BEFORE OCTOBER 1ST ON THIS ONE. OKAY. WELL, WE AMEND WE THEY CAN IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE WITH ONE, YOU CAN BRING IT IN A MINUTE ON THE ON THE CHARGES, THE THE ON PERMIT AND STUFF LIKE THAT. THE FEES, HOW MUCH HOW MUCH MORE DID THAT GO UP ON ANYTHING? OR DID IT GO UP ANY MORE? OR WAS YOU SHOWING FEES ON SOMETHING THAT WAS ALREADY IN PLACE? I GENERALLY UNDERSTOOD WE CHARGED $250 FOR. I MEAN, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF FEES LIKE LIKE, BUT THERE ARE MORE. ACCORDING TO THIS, ALL FEES ARE INCREASED. ALL FEES ARE INCREASED. YES, YES. ALL CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FEES HAVE BEEN INCREASED. SCOTT, CAN YOU

[01:05:01]

WHEN YOU ACCEPTED THAT NEW. THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY FEE INCREASES SINCE 2012 WHEN WE ADOPTED THE 2018 CODE. WE ACTUALLY ADJUSTED THEM TO LOWER THEM, RIGHT? SO THIS TIME WE ADJUSTED THEM TO BE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER. BUT WHEN YOU SAY A LITTLE BIT THOUGH, SCOTT, HOW MUCH IS A LITTLE BIT? OKAY, SO OUR PERCENTAGE BUILDING WOULD HAVE BEEN $250 ON OUR 2018 SCALE. NOW IT'S A LITTLE OVER, I THINK IT'S 1250 NOW. OKAY, SO IT WENT UP $1,000. YOU GOT TO PAY FOR THE INSPECTOR GOING OUT THERE. YOU GOT TO PAY FOR THE UNDERGROUND GOING OUT. YOU GOT TO GO LOOK AT ALL THE BUILDING MATERIALS THAT'S BEING PUT IN THERE BECAUSE YOU WANT THE BUILDING TO BE BUILT, RIGHT? YOU DON'T WANT IT TO BLOW DOWN ON A BUNCH OF CITIZENS. THE FIRST, YOU KNOW, 30 MILE AN HOUR WIND THAT COMES THROUGH JUST THE FUEL. YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH FUEL COST? NOW, WE REVIEWED SEVERAL COUNTIES IN THE AREA THAT WERE SIMILAR TO OUR SIZE AND OUR GROWTH. AND WE'RE WE'RE ALONG PAR WITH WHAT THEY'RE DOING. IT WAS KAUFMAN COUNTY, ONE OF THEM. DENTON COUNTY WAS THE BIG ONE. THERE ARE TWO WAYS THESE FEES GET PAID. EITHER THE THE USER THAT WANTS TO BUILD IT PAYS IT, OR EVERY TAXPAYER IN ELLIS COUNTY GETS TAX INCREASE AND YOU PROVIDE IT AT THE SAME PRICE YOU WERE DOING IT FOR 12 YEARS AGO. SO IT'S SIMPLE TO ME. I DON'T I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE HAGGLING OVER STUFF LIKE THIS, THAT I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ. YOU CAME TO MY OFFICE, BROUGHT ME A COPY OF IT, AND THEN I CAME BACK TO YOUR OFFICE AND WENT OVER IT WITH YOU AGAIN. I THINK I EVEN GOT EMAILS ASKING ME TO DO THAT. SO I'M. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY. COMMISSIONER SAYS HE DID NOT GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THIS BEFORE A FEW DAYS BEFORE IT WAS ADOPTED. DID ANYBODY ELSE GET TO LOOK AT THIS? REMEMBER LOOKING AT IT? YEAH. I MEAN, I, IT WAS REDLINED. SO IT REALLY WASN'T A LOT OF READING TO DO OTHER THAN JUST GO THROUGH AND LOOK AT THE RED LINES AND SEE IF YOU AGREE WITH IT. RIGHT? I MEAN, IT WASN'T A LIKE A BIG CHANGE. I DIDN'T THINK EXCEPT FOR, WELL, SOME OF THE CHARGES, BUT BUT I ASSUME THAT THE CHARGES WAS WAY BACK WHERE WE HAD KIND OF ADJUSTED THEM AS WHAT WE WAS DOING. RIGHT. ONE OF THEM, ONE OF THEM YOU SAID, WENT FROM 250 TO 1250. YES, SIR. THAT'S A PRETTY MASSIVE INCREASE. IT MAY BE NECESSARY, BUT THAT'S STILL A PRETTY BIG INCREASE. AND JUST BUILD A HOUSE AND WALK IN. THE PERMIT FEE WAS GOING TO COST ME $13,500. YEAH, THAT'S FOR A HOUSE. SOLD THE LOT AND TOLD THEM TO KEEP IT. BUT WE'RE ELLIS COUNTY, WE'RE NOT LOXAHATCHEE. WE'RE SOON TO BE WALKS HATCHEE. I DON'T REALIZE PEOPLE ARE ASKING WALKS. HAD YOU TAKE THEM IN ANYMORE? I GOT A SOLAR FARM IN MY BACKYARD SOON TO HAVE A DATA CENTER ACROSS THE STREET FROM ME. I AIN'T SHOOT MY NEIGHBORS OUT OR WHINE TO THEM FOR SELLING. I BELIEVE IT'S THEIR. IT'S THEIR RIGHT TO SELL THEIR PROPERTY TO WHO THEY WANT TO SELL IT TO. THAT'S WHAT A CONSERVATIVE IS.

OH, OKAY. IF WE WHAT IF WE MOVE FORWARD TODAY? AND IF IF THEY'VE GOT MORE QUESTIONS CAN COME BACK AND IF WE HAVE TO AMEND SOMETHING, BRING SOMETHING IN AND AMEND IT. IF IF Y'ALL ARE OKAY ABOUT THIS, IT'S EITHER SOMEBODY MAKE A MOTION OR NO ACTION. NO ACTION.

ONE OF THE TWO. ALL RIGHT. WELL, I, I DO THINK WHY DON'T AS WE COME BACK TO THE WORKSHOP LATER? YEAH, WE CAN COME BACK WITH A WORKSHOP. FINE. I'M FINE. I'M HAPPY TO I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT THAT. AND. WE COULD COME BACK WITH A WORKSHOP IN, IN THE NEAR FUTURE. AND, AND THEN IF SOMEONE WANTS TO MAKE SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS, PROPOSED SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS, I DO THINK I THINK COMMISSIONERS, I HAD A GOOD POINT. IN THE SPIRIT OF FIRE SAFETY, I HATE TO JUST THROW THE ENTIRE BABY OUT. SO, YOU KNOW, I, I SUPPOSE I WOULD BE INCLINED TODAY TO JUST TAKE NO ACTION ON IT, BUT TO HAVE THAT WORKSHOP, I'M OKAY WITH THAT WITH, WITH PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.

THAT'S FINE. YEAH. OKAY. OKAY. THAT SEEMS TO BE WHO, WHO PUT IT ON THE DOCKET. I DID, I THOUGHT HE DID. THAT'S WHY I KNOW HIS HIS NAME INADVERTENTLY GOT PLACED ON IT, BUT IT WAS ME THAT PUT IT ON THE DOCKET. YEAH, IT WAS COMMISSIONER PONDER THAT REQUESTED IT. RIGHT. OKAY. WELL, I, I ASSUME UNLESS SOMEBODY WANTS TO OBJECT OR MAKE A MOTION, WE'RE TAKING NO ACTION ON ITEM 3.6 TODAY. I'LL MAKE A MOTION. WE LEAVE IT ALONE. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STINSON TO NOT REVOKE MINUTE ORDER 28.126. STIR THE POT, DON'T WE? YEAH.

[01:10:08]

AND THAT GUY DID IT ON HIS OWN. AND NOW YOU GOT THE SAME THING HAPPENING IN ROCK IT OUT THERE.

WELL, IT COULD BE SOME OF THE STUFF THAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT. COULD BE THE INDIVIDUAL TYPE START UP BUSINESSES. YOU KNOW, LIKE IN THE BACK OF I GOT ONE, IT'S GOT SIX, SIX TRAILER HOUSE SIX. WELL, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT. I'M TALKING ABOUT TRAILERS SITTING THERE ACROSS THAT'S GOT A $800,000 HOUSE AND THEY'RE SITTING 20FT OFF THE ROAD. YOU GOT SIX TRAILERS IN A ROW WITH WASHED GRAVEL. YEAH, IT KEEPS GOING AWAY AND IT'S GOT A HOT POT HOLES THAT I COULD PARK MY CAR IN RIGHT NOW. I MEAN, YEAH, YEAH. IF YOU GOT SOMEBODY WANTS TO DO 5 OR 6, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ONE GUY SAID, WELL, MAN, I CAN REALLY MAKE MONEY LIKE THAT. WHY DON'T I PUT ME 20 OF THOSE IN? THAT'S 5 OR 6. AND NOW I'M A BIG TIME GUY. BUT THESE GUYS OVER HERE THAT DONE IT BIG TIME ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR THE CONCRETE EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED TO DO. IT'S THE FIRST TIME, BUT I GOT IN ABOUT TEN YEARS, 100 OF THEM SITTING AROUND ELLIS COUNTY. I'M NOT ARGUING WITH YOU. I'M SAYING I'LL SECOND IT. IF Y'ALL TAKE AND COME BACK AND LOOK AT SOME OF THE ISSUES I GOT. I'M OLDER THAN I GOT LESS BREATH LEFT AND I FEEL LIKE I'M WASTING. I DO A LOT OF TIME. I DO FEEL LIKE THE MOTION IS THE SAME AS TAKING NO ACTION, BUT BECAUSE, I MEAN, I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO BE STUDYING IT AND THERE MAY BE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. YEAH, EITHER WAY. BUT SO WE HAVE THAT MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STENSON TO NOT REVOKE MINUTE ORDER NUMBER 281.26. ARE YOU ARE YOU SENDING IT. I'LL SECOND IT. IF IF LIKE I SAID IF THERE IF THERE'S AN ISSUE OR TWO THEY WANT TO LOOK AT BECAUSE THE WE NEED TO PROTECT THESE PEOPLE HERE. YOU GOT DODD AND ENGINEERING OVER HERE THAT'S ALREADY WORKING TOWARDS YOU KNOW THIS CHANGE. I'M. IF THERE'S SOMETHING HIGHLY. THAT WE NEED TO COME BACK TO THE PRESSING ON SOMEBODY. I DON'T KNOW WHY WE CAN'T AMEND IT LATER DOWN THE ROAD. I'M NOT GOING TO LIVE OR DIE ON THIS DEAL. I'M STILL GOING TO LOVE EVERY ONE OF YOU. JUST I'M JUST SAYING, IF I DON'T AGREE WITH SOMEBODY, I DON'T AGREE WITH THEM. WELL, I'M GOING TO CHANGE. I MEAN, I, I SEE BOTH SIDES BECAUSE I SEE WHAT HE'S I DON'T THINK ANYBODY EXPECTS YOU TO I DON'T YEAH. OKAY. SO WE DO HAVE A MOTION TO NOT REVOKE MINUTE ORDER NUMBER 281.26 FROM COMMISSIONER STENSON AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER.

SO ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY I I I. DOES ANYONE CARE TO VOTE? NO. NO. OKAY. THE MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1. COMMISSIONER PONDER VOTES. NO. I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I'M I'M FULLY SYMPATHETIC TO THE FACT THAT AUGUST 18TH WAS A VERY LENGTHY, DIFFICULT MEETING, AND I'M SYMPATHETIC TO GOING BACK AND JUST TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT IT TO MAKE SURE THAT BOTH THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE PUBLIC HAVE A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN. I WOULD SUPPORT HAVING A A WORKSHOP TO THAT EFFECT. SET IT UP. YEAH. AND I'M NOT SAYING I WOULD NECESSARILY SUPPORT ANY AMENDMENTS. I'M JUST SAYING THAT I WOULD SUPPORT THE OPPORTUNITY JUST TO CLEAR THE AIR A LITTLE BIT. YEAH, YEAH. OKAY. SO WE WE, THAT ITEM IS RESOLVED. AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, TIM, AND THANK ALL YOU GUYS SITTING OVER THERE. I DON'T WANT AND I FEEL LIKE I CAN SPEAK FOR THE COURT HERE. I DON'T WANT ANY OF Y'ALL TO EVER FEEL LIKE WE DON'T SUPPORT Y'ALL. BECAUSE I THINK EVERY PERSON UP HERE DOES. YEAH WE THANK Y'ALL. YEAH. YES, I SURE DO. ABSOLUTELY. AND AGAIN, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NOT THIS IS NOT ABOUT NOT SUPPORTING FIRE THE

[01:15:02]

[3.7 Discussion, consideration, and action to reclassify two (2) part-time Road Worker positions into one (1) full-time Road Worker position. No additional salary budget is required for this reclassification. – County Commissioner Precinct 1, Randy Stinson]

AND THAT WOULD BE NO ADDITIONAL SALARY. BUDGET IS REQUIRED FOR THIS RECLASSIFICATION.

COMMISSIONER STINSON, I THINK YOU WANTED TO SPEAK ON THIS. YEAH, WE'VE GOT TWO PART TIME POSITIONS, WHICH IT'S HARD TO HIRE SOMEBODY PART TIME UNLESS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY TO FILL IN, MAYBE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR SOMEBODY THAT'S SICK. AND I'VE BEEN, YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS THAT GOES, I'VE HAD HELP PUTTING YOU KNOW, I'VE HAD SOMEBODY SICK IN MY OFFICE. I MEAN, OTHER PRECINCTS HAVE REACHED OUT AND SAID, HEY, CAN I HELP YOU WITH YOUR PAPERWORK OR WHATEVER? AND IT'S WORKED OUT WELL THAT WAY, BUT I BELIEVE I COULD USE THE POSITION ROLLING THOSE TWO POSITIONS INTO ONE. I COULD USE IT AND GET A LOT MORE WORK DONE.

THAT'S WHY I ASKED TO PUT IT ON THE COURT TODAY. COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON 3.7? IF NOT, WE CAN TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT. MOTION. SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 3.7 FROM COMMISSIONER STINSON AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER ZIKE.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY I, I IS ANYONE OPPOSED? HEARING NO. OPPOSITION ITEM 3.7 PASSES

[3.8 Discussion, consideration, and action of an interlocal cooperation contract between the County of Ellis and Avalon ISD for maintenance, repair, and/or construction of streets, roads, alleys, bridges, parking areas, waterways, and ditches, etc. for a term agreement through September 30, 2027, pursuant to Texas Government Code §791. – County Commissioner Precinct 2, Matthew Zajic]

THEY REIMBURSE COST. RIGHT. OKAY. VERY GOOD. IS YOUR INTERLOCAL RIGHT? IT'S JUST THE INTERLOCAL. YEAH. THAT'S ALL IT IS. COMMISSIONERS. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON 3.8? IF NOT, DOES SOMEONE CARE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT. SO MOVED. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 3.8 FROM COMMISSIONER ZEKE. IS THERE A SECOND? OKAY. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STENSON. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY I, I DOES ANYONE OPPOSED HEARING NO.

[3.9 Discussion, consideration, and action of an interlocal cooperation contract between the County of Ellis and Ennis ISD for maintenance, repair, and/or construction of streets, roads, alleys, bridges, parking areas, waterways, and ditches, etc. for a term agreement through September 30, 2027, pursuant to Texas Government Code §791. – County Commissioner Precinct 2, Matthew Zajic]

THAT'S DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION AND ACTION ON AN INTERLOCAL COOPERATION CONTRACT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF ELLIS AND ISD FOR MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND OR CONSTRUCTION OF STREETS, ROADS, ALLEYS, BRIDGES, PARKING AREAS, WATERWAYS AND DITCHES, ETC. FOR A TERM OF THE AGREEMENT THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027, PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 791.

COMMISSIONER ZIKE KIND OF THE SAME THING. SAME SONG AND DANCE, SAME SAME SONG, DIFFERENT VERSE.

YEP. COMMISSIONERS. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR COMMISSIONERS? I KNOW IF A MOTION TO APPROVE. OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER ZIKE TO APPROVE ITEM 3.9. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND, WE HAVE A WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STENSON. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY I. I. IS ANYONE OPPOSED? HEARING NO. OPPOSITION ITEM 3.9 PASSES

[3.10 Discussion, consideration, and action of an interlocal cooperation contract between the County of Ellis and the City of Alma for maintenance, repair, and/or construction of streets, roads, alleys, bridges, parking areas, waterways, and ditches, etc. for a term agreement through September 30, 2027, pursuant to Texas Government Code §791. – County Commissioner Precinct 2, Matthew Zajic]

[3.11 Discussion, consideration, and action to appoint Zachary Gerich as the Ellis County representative to the Board of Directors for Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Nos. 1, 2, and 3. – Ellis County Judge, John Wray]

[01:20:01]

COMMISSIONERS, ANY. IF THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, DOES ANYONE CARE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPOINT ZACK SO MOVED. SECOND, WE HAVE A WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 3.11 AND APPOINT ZACK GARRICK TO THOSE THREE TERS ZONE OR TERS BOARDS OF DIRECTORS. WE HAVE THAT MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER PONDER. PONDER A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY I I IS ANYONE OPPOSED? ITEM 311 PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO

[MOTION TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION]

[ADJOURNMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION]