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Ennis City Commission approves settlement with Ennis Main Street (Destination Ennis)
Summary
The Ennis City Commission voted Monday to approve a settlement with Ennis Main Street 501(c)(3), also known as Destination Ennis, authorizing the mayor to sign final documents and agreeing the parties will issue a joint statement by April 30. The action follows an executive session on pending litigation.
The Ennis City Commission voted to approve a settlement with Ennis Main Street 501(c)(3), also known as Destination Ennis, to resolve the lawsuit titled City of Ennis v. Ennis Main Street, case number 1168355, pending in the 40th Judicial District Court in Ellis County. Commissioner Haney moved the settlement and Commissioner Jones seconded; the chair said the motion carried on a voice vote.
The commission went into closed executive session under Texas Government Code §551.071 to consult the city attorney before taking action. In open session Commissioner Haney moved "to approve settlement with Ennis Main Street 501(c)(3), aka Destination Ennis, based on the terms as documented in [the] 04/07/2026 agreement letter signed by the attorneys to resolve the current lawsuit and to address the disputes raised therein and to authorize the mayor to execute any final settlement documents approved by the city attorney's office to complete the settlement and dismissal of the case," and the motion was seconded, the chair announced.
The chair said the parties have jointly agreed to release a statement by April 30 and that the commission would wait for that joint statement. The commission then voted by voice; members responded "Aye," the chair declared "the ayes have it," and the motion carried. The chair adjourned the special meeting at 6:34 a.m.
Why it matters: The settlement resolves pending litigation between the city and a local nonprofit, and authorizes the mayor to execute any final settlement documents approved by the city attorney's office. The agreement letter dated April 7, 2026, and the planned joint statement (due April 30) are listed in the motion as part of the terms.
What the record shows: The meeting minutes and transcript show the commission recessed into executive session at 6:02 a.m. under Gov. Code §551.071 for attorney consultation, reconvened at 6:33 a.m., and immediately considered and approved the settlement motion. The transcript does not record a roll-call vote or numerical tally; the approval was announced as a voice vote and the record does not specify individual vote names or counts.
Next steps: The motion authorizes the mayor to execute final settlement documents reviewed and approved by the city attorney's office; the parties indicated they will issue a joint statement by April 30.
