Residents cite dust and noise concerns as commissioners award county scrap‑metal contract to HLH and RLP

Ellis County Commissioners on Tuesday awarded the county's scrap‑metal and scrap‑vehicle contract to HLH and RLP after canceling a prior award to Scrappy's Recycling Center when that company informed the county it could not meet insurance requirements.

Purchasing Agent EJ Harbin told the court that Scrappy's requested to be released from the contract because it could not meet the specified insurance obligations; the court agreed to cancel that award. Staff then recommended awarding the contract to HLH and RLP, saying that vendor met requirements and had previously held the contract.

Three residents provided public comment after the staff presentation. Kristela Barajas, who identified her address as 3 Willowbrook Drive, said she lives across the street from the recycling facility and described ongoing dust and noise she attributed to the business. "I'm constantly inhaling all this dust ... And it might not affect us right away. But in the what if we get cancer? What if we get some kind of other disease?" Barajas said.

Another speaker, Luis Gonzales, said his father lives next to the recycling company and has made many complaints, including to the Environmental Protection Agency, which Gonzales said had taken samples for testing. Gonzales told the court he worried that awarding the county contract would enable the company to expand operations and worsen local impacts. "Our concern is that them being awarded this job is gonna enable them to expand their operations, which is causing harm to my parents," he said.

Judge Little noted the award before the court concerned the county's scrap purchase contract, not land‑use permitting or operating hours, and that the county would document the comments in the record. Commissioners approved the award to HLH and RLP and authorized the County Judge to execute the contract upon final legal review. The vote was approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: The award determines which company will handle county scrap material and vehicles, but residents asked the county to consider potential public‑health and nuisance impacts near the contractor’s site. County staff and commissioners noted that insurance and contract compliance were central to vendor selection, and that operating hours and emissions enforcement fall under other regulatory authorities.

Speakers listed in the record: EJ Harbin (Purchasing agent), Kristela Barajas (resident), Luis Gonzales (resident), County Judge Little, and multiple commissioners who voted on the award. The transcript records staff explanation that HLH and RLP fulfilled bid requirements and submitted complete proposals.