In the regularly scheduled meeting of the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court on Monday, Dr. Harold Nolte, Jr. was recognized for his years of outstanding service to the community.

“He is a very special person, and what he has contributed to this community in the years that he’s been here is enormous,” said County Judge Carol Bush. “I think of him as a Mr. Waxahachie – he is involved in everything there is to be involved with, and he does it with a real spirit of service. He has made this a better place.”

Nolte has accepted a position as president of Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, but told members of the Court that he plans to retire in Waxahachie, quipping that perhaps he would run for school board since he does “know a little bit about education.”

“While I am incredibly sorry to see Harold leave Waxahachie, I am excited for the community he is going to and for the students at Blinn College,” Bush added. “It is a great institution and it will become even better.”

Elections Administrator Jane Anderson received the Court’s approval for purchase of at least five precinct count voting units and five AutoMark HAVA-compliant, handicapped-accessible voting machines, as well as the shelving necessary to store the equipment. Funding will come through the Help America Vote Act.

Anderson estimated there will be four additional polling places needed to accommodate redistricting.

Outside the meeting, she reminded officials that early voting is in progress for the November 8 Amendment election, and highlighted recent legislation that will require all voters to bring picture ID with them to the polling place in order to cast their ballots.

“That goes into effect with the primary in the spring,” Anderson said, noting her desire to share the information with as many citizens as possible in the coming months.

After a presentation by Larry Eon of Texzon Utilities, Commissioners indicated they will post a special meeting for Friday, October 28, at 10 a.m. During that meeting, they will be asked to authorize the County Judge to sign the necessary agreements to lock in a rate of 5.552 cents per kilowatt hour or less for electricity for a period of 18 months beginning in December, 2013.

In other business, Commissioners:

• Reduced the original bid to a formal contract and approved the second and final renewal to extend bid number BPA260 for an additional 12 months for printing services with Gingerbread Press;
• Cancelled existing contracts with Avaya for maintenance and repair of the Avaya telephone systems;
• Reduced the original bid to a formal contract and approved the second and final renewal to extend bid number BPA100 for an additional 12 months for wholesale gasoline and diesel with Avenue Fuel Distributors;
• Reduced the original bid to a formal contract and approved the second and final renewal to extend bid number BPA100A for an additional 12 months for convenience store gasoline and diesel to Pearman Oil and LP Gas, Inc.;
• Approved a Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with the City of Nacogdoches;
• Approved a 24-month contract with Tristem under the purchasing agreement with Nacogdoches, allowing Tristem to analyze utility, telecommunication, and gasoline billing for potential refunds;
• Approved a five year contract with BAT Fire and Security Services at eight locations;
• Took no action on the bid for Emulsified Asphalt;
• Approved interlocal contract agreements with the City of Italy, the City of Maypearl, the City of Milford, the City of Waxahachie, the Italy ISD, the Maypearl ISD, the Milford ISD, and the Waxahachie ISD.