In a special-called meeting of the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court on Monday, May 3, 2010, Commissioners voted to award the contract for 2010 emulsion asphalt to ERGON Asphalt of Austin, Texas.

Ellis County Commissioners this morning approved revised personnel policies in keeping with a new push by County Judge Carol Bush to establish a return to work program that meets the needs of all elected officials and departments, which has already resulted in a significant reduction in the county’s 2010 Workers’ Compensation premiums.

The Ellis County Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee is nearing the conclusion of its business, with county offices scheduled to move into new facilities in downtown Waxahachie in June, 2010.

This April, Texans can receive rebates on qualifying appliances purchased between April 16 and April 25. Texas received more than $23 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to establish the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, and will administer the rebates through the Comptroller’s State Energy Conservation Office.

During a regularly scheduled meeting of the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court on Monday, March 22, 2010, Jim Sabonis of First Southwest Company presented an analysis of potential savings relating to the county’s outstanding general obligation bonds.

The Ellis County District Clerk’s office is hosting a Passport Fair in Waxahachie, Texas on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm to provide passport information to U.S. citizens and to accept passport applications.

A run-off election will be held on April 13, 2010 in three primary election races affecting Ellis County voters.

In a regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday, March 8, Ellis County Commissioners’ unanimously declared this month to be March for Meals Awareness Month in Ellis County.

In our continuing effort to curtail Illegal Dumping in Ellis County, this year we will be offering a free “week-long” clean-up event. Starting Saturday, May 1st and running thru Saturday May 8th, Ellis County residents will be able to dispose of trash, furniture, mattresses, yard debris, and other similar items. We will also be accepting tires and e-waste. Details are still being finalized, so check the Ellis County Official Website www.ellis.tx.us for more information as we get closer to the date!

As required under the law, Ellis County Commissioners authorized a local option election to consider the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only in the City of Red Oak, pursuant to certification of a petition containing the required number of signatures.

The Ellis County Office of Emergency Management is currently seeking organizations and individuals interested in volunteering during a large-scale public health emergency.

The Ellis County Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee held its quarterly meeting on Monday, January 4, 2010 to hear updates from County Engineer Joe White and Project Manager Jon Vidaurri.

Having unanimously approved application for the funding on November 9, 2009, Ellis County Commissioners today accepted $46,476.38 in grant funding to continue a program that focuses on vehicle emissions. The grant is funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

First Assistant Auditor Cheryl Chambers was recognized in Commissioners’ Court on Monday for obtaining her certification as a County Investment Officer.

Beginning Monday, December 14, 2009, Pigg Road will be closed due to Bridge Work. Pigg Road is scheduled to re-open February 2010.

“Under the authority of Local Government Code 234.033, I will make a motion to deny location of a proposed slaughterhouse at 855 Slama Road because the operation is incompatible with existing land use of the neighboring area,” said Commissioner Bill Dodson, pct. 2. The motion came after extensive public testimony both for and against the proposal.

The Texas Highway Commission approved Thursday $25.2 million of Proposition 12 Rehabilitation funds to be used in Ellis County. The funds will be used to resurface lanes and ramps on Interstate Highway 35 from US 77 south of Waxahachie to approximately one mile north of Johnston Road.

In a specially-called meeting Ellis County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to allow Ellis County to apply for a grant. The grant is funded by the American Recovery and Reinstatement Act. (ARRA) and being allocated through the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO).

Ellis County Commissioners unanimously approved submission of an application for grant funding to continue a program that focuses on vehicle emissions. The grant is funded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Ellis County Commissioners called on the public to provide input Monday night during a regularly scheduled meeting of the Court. The topic was 9-1-1 address display format standards as described in House Bill 2665, passed in the 81st Texas Legislative Session. The bill amends the Transportation Code by authorizing the Commissioners’ Court to adopt and impose standards for design and installation of address number signs to identify properties located in unincorporated areas of the county.

Another regular quarterly meeting of the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee found the County’s bond program still on time and under budget. The project was approved by voters in May of 2007.

In a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, September 14, 2009, Ellis County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the tax rate for the 2009/2010 fiscal year as previously announced.

Three public hearings in Commissioners’ Court passed without public comment on Monday, September 8.

Ellis County Engineer Joe White and Jones Lang LaSalle Project Manager Jon Vidaurri teamed up once again to provide the members of the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court with a solid status report on the facilities being constructed through the bond program during Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting.

In a special-called meeting this morning, Ellis County Commissioners’ unanimously approved a 90-day burn ban at the recommendation of Fire Marshal’s Investigator Jim Pharr.

On Monday, July 13, the Ellis County Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee gathered for its quarterly meeting to hear an update on the progress of the county’s new facilities, being constructed under a bond package approved by voters in May of 2007.

A comprehensive assessment of county roads, integrating soil composition, paving thickness, smoothness, drainage, right-of-way, traffic counts, and global positioning system (GPS) coordinates was approved by the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court during a regular meeting on Monday, June 8, 2009.