Ellis County approves Tasers, roof repairs, Courthouse renovation contract and development plat; declares two Road & Bridge trucks surplus

Ellis County Commissioners Court approved a group of routine and capital items April 1, including equipment for the county jail, roof replacements on county buildings, a renovation contract for the Courts and Administration Building, a one-lot plat and the surplus designation of two Road & Bridge trucks.

Key votes at a glance

- TASERs for Ellis County Jail (Agenda item 2.1): The court approved purchase of 35 TASER 7 units from Axon Enterprise Inc. for $168,336 through the Sourcewell cooperative. The payment schedule in the quoted five-year arrangement calls for an initial payment of $32,000 due June 2025 and four additional annual payments of $34,084 through 2029. The purchase will be budgeted across the five-year payment schedule; the initial payment is budgeted in the 2025 fiscal year.

- Surplus declaration for Road & Bridge Precinct 4 vehicles (Agenda item 2.2): The court declared two vehicles (a 1996 International tractor and a 1995 Peterbilt truck 377) as surplus to be disposed of in accordance with Local Government Code Chapter 263 and directed staff to place the items for auction or appropriate disposal. Commissioners said the vehicles are being returned under a program and will be destroyed if not suitable for sale.

- Roof replacements (Agenda item 2.4): The court approved a contract with Prime Source Construction Inc., using the TIPS cooperative, for replacement of roofs at the Sheriff’s Office training center, the Juvenile Services Building and the Record Storage Building for $441,150, with the county paying $30,000 in deductibles across the buildings and staff requesting a 7% contingency in case of uncovered structural repairs. The roofs replace existing standing seam panels and the county will seek supplemental insurance adjustments for any additional storm-related damages.

- Courts and Administration Building renovation (Agenda item 2.5): The court approved authorizing the County Judge to execute a contract with The Christman Company to renovate the Courts and Administration Building for $3,127,655, with a contingency requested by staff (contingency percentage discussed during the item). The court approved staff authority to finalize and execute the contract upon return of the final contract document.

- Stevenson Estates plat (Agenda item 1.1): The court ratified staff action and approved the plat for Stevenson Estates Lot 1, Block A, a 6.036-acre site located about 5,240 feet southwest of McAlpin Road and FM 875 in the Richard Roll survey, Precinct 3. Approval included two conditions: remove Dunn Road from the vicinity map and provide a 10-foot roadway dedication along FM 875.

What the court said

EJ Harbin, the county purchasing agent, presented the Tasers purchase and described included items such as holsters, cartridges, battery packs and necessary licenses. "The agreement provides Tasers with close quarters and standoff capabilities, holsters, cartridges, battery packs, and all necessary licenses," Harbin said.

Alberto Modica, Director of Development, said the Stevenson Estates plat satisfied an earlier planning-delay variance granted by Midlothian and recommended approval subject to staff conditions.

Eric Brown of Prime Source Roofing described the roof replacement as a full panel replacement with gutters and fascia and said the contractor would assist with insurance supplements if additional storm damage is found during tear-off.

Procedural notes and funding

The TASER purchase was presented as a five-year payment plan and the court recorded approval with no roll-call tallies given in the public minutes. Roof replacements will use insurance proceeds and county funds for deductibles; the Christman Company contract is contingent on final document review and execution by the county judge. Surplus vehicle disposals were referenced to Local Government Code Chapter 263 for disposition.

What’s next: Staff will finalize contracts, execute the Tasers purchase per the cooperative agreement, place surplus vehicles for auction or disposal as directed, and proceed with roof replacements upon insurance and contractor coordination. The Christman Company contract will be executed following final reviews and return of the contract document to the county.