By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission approved the final plat for the creation of Big Creek Estates Third Addition during its Tuesday meeting.
The residential development will be located north of Reservation Road between Big Creek Drive and Logan Drive. The project will add 14 residential lots and a designated green space.
Justin Craig, environmental services director, said the commission must compile a list of desired changes if it wants to update zoning regulations to clarify future development processes.
SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County Commission approves RHID for Big Creek Estates
2027 budget process
Darin Myers, county administrator, outlined the county’s 2025 financial performance and provided an early outlook into the 2027 budget process.
The 2025 general budget initially appeared to be about $424,000 less than projections, but after adjusting for the sale of the Public Works building, revenues came in about $971,000 more than projections, Myers said.
Spending in 2025 came in about $1.57 million less than the budget as departments remained within their limits, Myers said.
Investment income in 2025 totaled just less than $1.7 million, exceeding the $1.6 million budgeted. $1.5 million is budgeted for 2027, but Myers said declining interest rates could reduce that revenue to about $1.1 million, a potential loss of about $400,000.
About $3.36 million in sales tax was collected in 2025, a slight increase from 2024. Myers said that amount offsets about 6 mills in property taxes.
The commission will provide budget direction at its April 14 meeting, with the first draft of the 2027 budget to be presented on June 2.
The commission also discussed uncertainty surrounding House Bill 2745, which could allow voters in a taxing area to limit property tax increases. Myers suggested filing to exceed the revenue-neutral rate as a precaution, allowing flexibility to do so later without commitment.
Other business
• I Voted Sticker contest winners were celebrated at the meeting.
• New and promoted employees were introduced.