By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission heard a request from the city of Victoria for help repairing sections of Old Highway 40 during the commission's meeting on Tuesday.
Ellis County Public Works Director Brendan Mackay and Victoria Mayor John Schulte discussed potential financial support to fix the deteriorating road approaches connecting Old Highway 40 to East Main and West Main streets.
The total cost to repair both streets is about $79,750. In a request letter, Schulte said while Victoria would prefer to repair both approaches, East Main Street would take priority if only one can be funded due to its higher traffic volume.
The commission will revisit the funding request at a future meeting.
Subdivision road improvements
Commissioner Michael Berges continued a discussion from March on creating a plan to maintain and improve roads in Ellis County subdevelopments. Commissioners heard from Ellis County resident Ty Wilson from Stonewood North Additions.
The discussion centered around using special assessment districts to allow residents in subdivisions to request road upgrades funded through their own taxes, not general county funds.
This process requires a majority petition from residents and final approval by the commission. The county cannot initiate the assessment as it must come from the residents.
Wilson said the process unfairly burdens residents with initiating and financing improvements rather than the commission proactively planning or funding them.
"If I [file a petition], which I can, I just forced your hand and added even more to your budgetary problems than you have," he said.
Berges said the commission has directed Mackay to list all subdivisions in the next 60 days, including what type of road they currently have, and provide suggestions for improvement.
Ellis County Sheriff's cameras, vests
Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun discussed with commissioners a grant application that would fully cover upgrades to in-car and body cameras, docking stations, antennas and routers.
Braun also received approval to purchase 16 armored vests for detention officers for about $15,530. Funding is available in the 2025 capital outlay budget.
Other business
Commissioners approved waiving municipal waste fees for the 2025 Wild West Festival. The waiver would apply to trash hauled to the Ellis County Transfer Station during the event.
Monique Koerner and Tamara Robertson from the Cottonwood Extension District gave an update on their current programs and activities in the district.
Jami Benyshek, senior audit manager with Adams Brown, LLC, presented the 2024 Ellis County audit report to the commission.