Ellis County Commissioners Court approved a set of routine and project-specific items on Oct. 28, 2025, including subdivision variances and a vehicle purchase for Road & Bridge Precinct 4. The court also set a public hearing to consider adding stop signs in the Skyline Acres neighborhood and took no action on a proposed county burn ban.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (Items A1–A23 and F1–F7): Approved unanimously after a correction to a budget line item (F4). The clerk noted the corrected account code. The motion carried with a unanimous vote.

- Item 1.1 — Variance request, Parcel ID 168612 (211 Coffee Road): Approved unanimously. Staff recommended approval subject to submitting a replat, no further subdivision, and a restriction that the variance does not extend to commercial uses without meeting requirements in effect at that later time. County staff said the parcel falls about 17 feet short of minimum public road frontage due to a prior, informal subdivision.

- Item 1.2 — Replat of Grandview Estates Lots 19A and 19B (approx. 12.545 acres): Approved unanimously with 14 staff conditions, including an exhibit to confirm proposed lot lines do not interfere with existing structures and confirmation of access from Mock Road (Muck Road referenced in the staff presentation). Staff recommended approval subject to technical conditions.

- Item 1.3 — Variance for minimum lot size and septic regulations, parcels 192324 and 192358 (approx. 0.73 acre): Approved unanimously. The applicant seeks to combine two parcels and fell slightly short of the minimum lot size requirement; staff recommended approval with conditions including submission of a plat.

- Item 2.1 — Purchase of one 2026 Mack Anthem 42R truck from Bruckner's Truck and Equipment using HGAC contract HT06-20 in the amount of $164,520 for Road & Bridge Precinct 4: Approved unanimously. County staff said up to 80% of the purchase will be reimbursed through the TERP (Texas Emissions Reduction Plan) grant program; the county's net share will be roughly one-fifth of the purchase price.

- Item 2.2 — Declare surplus: 1992 International truck (Road & Bridge Precinct 4) and 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe (Sheriff's Office): Approved unanimously; staff will dispose of the vehicles in accordance with Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 263.

- Item 3.1 — Proposed burn ban: No action taken. County emergency personnel reported a marked improvement in fire-weather numbers and recommended waiting; court agreed to leave the item on future agendas for quick enactment if conditions worsen.

- Item 3.2 — Authorize posting and public notice and set public hearing for stop-sign changes in Skyline Acres: Motion passed unanimously and the public hearing was set for Nov. 25, 2025 (the court adjusted the hearing date to accommodate newspaper advertising timelines).

Additional notes

The court opened three ceremonial proclamations earlier in the meeting: recognizing Nov. 7, 2025 as National Adoption Day in Ellis County; supporting Operation Greenlight for veterans in November 2025; and honoring Rebecca Perry for winning the Catholic Foundation Art on the Plaza competition. Those proclamations were ceremonial and were presented to local representatives.

(Ending) The court concluded the regular agenda, held an executive session on pending litigation and bond matters, then adjourned. Staff will proceed with the follow-up actions approved by the court.