Ellis County Commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation declaring the week of May 10 through May 15, 2010 as National Police Week and May 15, 2010 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in Ellis County during this morning’s regularly scheduled meeting.

“I would like to read to you a proposed proclamation in recognition of the outstanding public servants who risk their lives daily,” said County Judge Carol Bush.

According to the Court’s proclamation, by a joint resolution of the US Congress in 1952, the President of the United States designated May 15 of each year as “Peace Officers Memorial Day” and the week in which it falls as “Police Week.” The measure also directed that the flag be flown at half staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day.

“We further appreciate the service of our Ellis County Police Officers, Dispatchers, First Responders, Ambulance Services, EMT Services, Fire Departments, and others who do their part to help our citizens,” Bush concluded. “Thank you for your dedication to our communities.”

Following the proclamation, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office received approval to apply for two grants: the 2010 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant through the US Department of Justice and a State grant to cover the cost of safety equipment in the new jail.

The Court also approved a new contract with the Department of the Army Corps of Engineers to provide law enforcement services to the Lake Bardwell Project during the summer months.

“Each year we provide security for the Corps of Engineers, and it is that time again,” said Captain Charles Laubach. “It looks like an increase of $1.61 per hour is what we are going to charge them to fulfill the contract this year.”

Laubach noted that the figures had been reviewed by the Auditor’s Office and the contract had been reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office.

No action was taken on Laubach’s request for authorization to join an Auto Theft Task Force, pending receipt of additional information.

After some two years of arbitration, a settlement agreement was finally reached between Ellis County, the City of Midlothian, the Corporation for the Economic Development of Midlothian, and Kehe Foods. The settlement resolves all issues and releases all claims pertaining to the cause which had been pending before the American Arbitration Association.

In two related items, Commissioners approved a tax abatement agreement for Quik N Tasty Foods, Inc. as well as agreeing to a proposed tax abatement agreement for that corporation with the City of Midlothian. The privately-owned company out of Tulsa, Oklahoma plans to purchase the building vacated by Kehe Foods.

“We have 85-ish stores in operation and expect to reach 100 in the next three years,” said Jake Barron of Quik Trip. “We will service all the stores out of this facility. We deliver three times a week.”

The tax abatement is to be 50 percent for seven years, in keeping with the County’s adopted guidelines.

According to Barron, the facility will employ ten managers, likely promoted from within, and approximately 35 entry level employees with salaries ranging from $36,000 to $42,000 annually.

In other business, Commissioners:

• Took no action regarding selection of three public members of Elected Official Salary Grievance Committee for FY 2010-2011;
• Took no action on abandonment of an alley located in Skyline Acres in pct. 4;
• Authorized purchase of one Caterpillar Model 430EIT4X Backhoe Loader for pct. 2 through the BuyBoard;
• Awarded the property insurance contract to Hibbs-Hallmark for the term 5/22/10 through 5/22/11 in the amount of $382,846 pursuant to increases in deductibles;
• Took no action on a request to approve bidding in an online auction for a rubber tire roller for precinct 3;
• Approved the maintenance agreement with KONE Elevators for the jail for May, 2010 through May, 2011, based on rates through the U.S. Communities Interlocal Agreement;
• Selected the lowest and most qualified move contractor for the relocation of the county offices and courts into the new courts building at a price not to exceed $50,000, as allocated within the Bond budget;
• Increased the contract amount with Terracon for geotechnical drilling, engineering, material testing and inspection for the Ellis County Bond Program to $207,978.50 as allocated within the Bond budget.