Ennis commission directs Allegiance Mobile Healthcare to vacate city buildings by Dec. 31 after closed‑door briefing

After a closed executive session on pending litigation and contractual issues, the Ennis City Commission returned to open session and approved a motion directing the city manager and city attorney to proceed as discussed behind closed doors. The commission then voted to waive prior penalties that had accrued against Allegiance Mobile Healthcare, impose penalties for future noncompliance and to notify Allegiance that it must vacate the city's five buildings by Dec. 31, 2024.

"I move that we waive prior penalties that may have accrued in the past against Allegiance Mobile Healthcare, impose penalties for noncompliance moving forward, and notify Allegiance that they are to vacate the city's 5 buildings by 12/31/2024," Commissioner Haney moved; a second was recorded and the mayor announced the motion was adopted by voice vote.

The motion followed the closed session the commission held under Texas Government Code section 551.071 to consult with the city attorney about pending or contemplated litigation and related contractual matters; the commission provided direction to staff in open session and adopted the motion as a means to implement that direction. The transcript does not record the details of the legal consultation that occurred in executive session.

Next steps: the city manager and city attorney will implement the direction from closed session, notify Allegiance as ordered, and pursue penalties for future noncompliance as authorized by the commission. The motion did not specify a public schedule for further hearings, and the precise legal or contractual grounds for the vacancy order were discussed in closed session and not disclosed on the public record.