After a discussion and a pair of tied votes, the Midlothian Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday night ultimately approved a planned development for a property on the south side of West Highland Road and east of Mockingbird Lane. The development was finally agreed to after a condition was added to extend a stub-out on the south side of the subdivision.
A massive overhaul of city codes was on the agenda at Tuesday night’s regular meeting of the Midlothian City Council. Councilmembers narrowly approved amendments to the city fire code, and also amended seven areas in the city’s building regulations.
Needing to have a budget in place by July 1 but not yet fully knowing what’s in store for school finances, the Midlothian ISD board of trustees Monday night moved forward with a preliminary budget for the 2025-2026 school year. The general fund, child nutrition fund and debt service fund budgets were approved for the upcoming school year.
Midlothian’s Annual Independence Day Parade will honor celebrations across America on Saturday, June 28, 10 a.m., downtown.
The Ellis County Commissioners’ Court is still in search of a new animal sheltering service provider, but took steps forward to address a growing problem with pet overpopulation on Tuesday by reaching an agreement with Flying B Animal Rescue and Sanctuary for spay and neuter services. The county will enter into contract negotiations with Flying B, and authorized County Judge John Wray to execute a contract upon final legal review.
Midlothian Community Development Corporation is beginning a program to provide grants for businesses to improve their storefronts. The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to property owners and business tenants wishing to renovate or restore commercial building façades, MCDC senior manager MeLissa Boler told councilmembers at Tuesday’s Midlothian City Council meeting.
An Ellis County grand jury has declined to indict a Midlothian elementary school teacher because of last month’s incident involving a special education student, according to the Ellis County District Attorney’s Office. In a press release last Thursday, the DA’s Office stated that the grand jury concluded its investigation the day before and returned a true no bill, meaning there was no indictment.
In its second time considering the matter, the Midlothian City Council Tuesday night approved a zoning change to allow for a residential development north of Tower Road and west of FM 663. After a discussion that lasted for more than an hour, the council approved a zoning change for an 81.5-acre property from Agricultural to a planned development for single-family residential uses.
A number of options were on the table on Monday evening as the Midlothian ISD board of trustees addressed ways to reduce a projected 2025-2026 budget deficit of about $5.45 million during the board’s third budget meeting of the year. “We’ve got a major deficit, and we’ve got to figure out how to overcome it,” board president Gary Vineyard said.
The Texas Department of Transportation is taking the first steps toward improving one of Midlothian’s busiest and most congested thoroughfares.