Ellis County approves purchasing-policy change, renews workers' comp pool participation and appoints core sexual-assault response team members; Hope Health CEO,

At its Sept. 16 meeting, the Ellis County Commissioners Court approved a set of administrative actions: an update to county purchasing policy to reflect a state-law threshold increase to $100,000 for informal quotes, renewal of the county’s workers’ compensation pool participation for plan year 2026, and appointment of core members to the Ellis County sexual-assault response team. The court also received an introduction of the new CEO of Hope Health (Ellis County Coalition for Health Options, DBA Hope Health).

Purchasing policy update: Jay (staff) explained the 2025 legislative change increasing the informal-bid threshold from $50,000 to $100,000 statewide effective Sept. 1, 2025, to reflect inflation and streamline procurement. The court approved a local update to align county policy with the state change; local procedures (two quotes under $100,000; formal bid process above $100,000) remain in place.

Workers’ compensation: HR Director Sharon Mancilla requested approval to renew the county’s participation in the Texas Association of Counties workers’ compensation program for plan year 2026 and to submit underwriting documentation; the court approved the renewal and authorized the county judge to sign renewal documents after underwriting.

Sexual-assault response team appointments: County and district attorney Lindy Beatty presented required core-team membership under the 2021 legislative requirement (Adult Sexual Assault Response Team) and asked the court to approve named core members and their designees from law enforcement, health care and victim services (including representatives from Waxahachie PD, Midlothian PD, Red Oak PD, Baylor Scott & White, Methodist Midlothian nursing leadership, victim advocates and county nursing staff). The court approved the updated core-member list unanimously.

Hope Health introduction: Terry Klein introduced Michael Bridal as the new CEO of Hope Health; Bridal said he intends to reengage Hope Health with Ellis County, expand service coverage across the county and continue the organization’s indigent-care services, including prior collaborations with the county on a grant used to build a facility. Bridal introduced his CFO Rona Fatima, marketing director Kevin Crouch, and operations director Greg Phillips.

All administrative items passed by unanimous vote and were presented as routine but important operational updates.