Ellis County judge to leave; court approves application, interview process for replacement

The County Judge of Ellis County announced April 1 that he has accepted a position as executive director of the North Central Texas Council of Governments and will vacate the county bench after beginning the new job; the court approved a process to solicit applications and interview candidates for an appointment to fill the vacancy.

The judge (name not specified in the meeting transcript), speaking to the Commissioners Court, said he expects to begin the new role May 15 and that he intends to remain to complete the county budget before his departure. "It's my intention to stay on and complete that budget," he said. The judge said he would not vote on his own replacement once he announces an official vacancy date.

Why it matters: Under Texas law the commissioners court appoints a replacement when a county judge's seat becomes vacant between elections. The court moved to post a job announcement for 7–10 days, accept applications, interview finalists in executive session as needed and then hold a public vote to appoint a replacement when the vacancy occurs.

County Chief of Staff Ryan Garrett described the process the court has used for prior appointed positions: post the announcement for 7–10 days, screen applicants, interview a short list and then make a selection in open session once legal requirements are satisfied. "That process has worked for us in the past," Garrett said.

Legal staff advised that a commissioner who applies for the judgeship would ordinarily need to recuse from the appointment vote; the court noted a quorum of three voting commissioners remains sufficient to make the appointment if another member recuses.

The court unanimously approved a motion to proceed with posting a job announcement, with Human Resources and legal reviewing the posting language prior to publication. The judge said he will provide the court a firm vacancy date once onboarding at the regional council of governments is finalized.

The judge said the job offer is a personal and professional opportunity; he thanked court staff and department heads and said he looks forward to maintaining a working relationship with Ellis County in his new regional role.

What’s next: The court directed staff to prepare a job posting and timeline (7–10 days for applications), to circulate the posting to the court for review and to document the process in email. When the judge provides a firm vacancy date the court will schedule any necessary special meeting to make an appointment.