The Ellis County Commissioners Court on Monday approved a series of routine purchasing and election-administration items, including awards for drainage culverts, a vehicle lease for the district attorney’s office and a software renewal, and it authorized an RFP for substance-abuse services tied to the county’s Veterans Treatment Court.

Purchasing presented RFB-2025-009 for drainage culverts, which staff said was released on September 23, advertised as required and opened on October 20 with two responsive bids. "Purchasing recommends award to ConTech Engineered Solutions and Wilson's Culverts Inc to ensure continuous supply of culverts," Purchasing staff told the court. Commissioners approved the recommendation unanimously.

The court voted to authorize a lease with American National Leasing for a 2025 Ford Explorer and a 2025 Ford F-150 for the Ellis County District Attorney’s Office; Purchasing staff said each lease will be funded with a $3,000 down payment and a five-year term at 5.93% interest. The court also approved a yearly renewal of the county’s network monitoring subscription with Flare Data Systems in the amount of $111,818.38.

On behavioral-health services, the court authorized staff to advertise a request for proposals for substance abuse assessment and intervention services for the Veterans Treatment Court, with Purchasing to work with Caitlin Wilkinson, director of behavioral health, to develop the scope of work.

On elections, Ellis County election administrator Jana Onion presented a joint-resolution proposal so the county’s Republican and Democratic party chairs and the election administrator can enter a joint primary election services contract for the March 3, 2026 primary and the May runoff. Onion told the court a joint primary allows parties to share polling locations, workers and equipment, reducing costs; the court approved the resolution unanimously.

Finally, the court cast the county’s votes for two open seats on the Ellis Appraisal District Board of Directors, formally submitting 164 votes for Tim Cummings and 164 votes for Walter Erwin to the chief appraiser. That resolution passed unanimously.

All routine purchasing and election items were approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Several agenda items were reserved for executive session later in the meeting and were taken up after the closed session.

The court’s actions take effect as allowed by the applicable contracts and procurement rules; staff will complete contract documents and return with final signatures where required.