In a very fast-moving meeting last Monday, Dec. 23, the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court moved quickly through a pre-holiday agenda, taking a total of just over 25 minutes, not counting an executive session.

The court did its part to approve a minor renovation to the Ellis Appraisal District headquarters, in which three larger rooms at the facility at 400 Ferris Avenue in Waxahachie will be further divided into six rooms for appraisal review board meetings.

Kathy Rodrigue, chief appraiser of the Ellis Appraisal District, told commissioners that the larger spaces are no longer needed for the meetings and the aim is to extend the life of the facility. She added that security features would be included in the renovation.

The remodel will allow up to 84 property tax protest hearings as opposed to 56, County Judge Todd Little asked and Rodrigue confirmed.

“We actually had a few (fewer) protest hearings last year, but I think that’s an anomaly,” Rodrigue said. “As interest rates drop and the market turns around, I think we’ll start seeing that go back up again.”

Rodrigue said the Ellis Appraisal District has the funds for the renovation, but needs approval of 75 percent of the taxing districts in the county in order to move forward.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Lane Grayson was the only member of the court not present.

Other items

• In two related agenda items, the court granted a sole-source exemption from bidding requirements for inmate classification software from Northpointe, Inc. dba Equivant, and renewed a contract with the company in an amount of $60,336.
• Commissioners presented Dave McSpadden with the first Ellis County Exemplary Service Award. The honor recognizes citizens who have contributed to the economic development and quality of life of Ellis County. The court also gave special recognition to Janice Hix for her contributions in the Ellis County Tax Office.
• A substantial consent agenda included previous meeting minutes, acceptance of various reports, a number of appointments to county Emergency Service Districts, and approval of elected official bonds for county officeholders.
• Developmental items included the approval of a performance bond for the 155-acre Oak Creek Ranch Phase Two south of the intersection of Skinner Road and FM 875 in rural Waxahachie. The development consists of mostly one-acre lots and is not a part of a municipal utility district, or MUD. Seven additional smaller plats were approved.
• Cybersecurity training was approved for county employees at the cost of $5 for each employee who completes training.
• The court OK’d a temporary 10-percent bump in salary to county director of development Alberto Mares as he also acts as county Engineering Department head until a new county engineer is appointed.
• An additional cash drawer for the Department of Development was approved.
• After an executive session, no public action was taken.