By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission will have a public hearing before deciding on a proposed reinvestment housing incentive district for Big Creek Estates 3rd Addition during its 8:30 a.m. meeting on Tuesday.
The hearing will allow community input before the commission decides whether to approve the resolution and the development agreement.
The project includes road improvements on Reservation Road and has received 25 protest petitions. There is no financial impact to the county in approving the housing incentive district.
Tax foreclosure sale
Commissioners will be asked to approve a resolution that would authorize the county counselor to initiate foreclosure proceedings on properties with delinquent real estate taxes.
A list provided by the county treasury includes 15 properties with a combined total of $44,394.56 in taxes, penalties and interest owed.
City of Gorham road repair request
The City of Gorham will request approval for the county public works department to assist with a road rehabilitation project. The project would not create significant direct costs to the county beyond staff time and machinery.
Stork award recognition
Jeff Ridgway, county communication director, will recognize Dispatcher Rachel Barnes with the Stork award for her exceptional response to a 911 call on April 5 before emergency responders arrived.
Barnes calmly guided the caller through the birth process and afterward during a 16-minute call. This is the second time she has received the award.
Other business
Commissioners will be asked to approve a new contract with County Counselor Bill Jeter, effective Jan. 1. The agreement increases Jeter's monthly retainer by $500, from $5,500 to $6,000. The change was initiated by the commission, not by Jeter, and is already included in the 2026 budget.
County EMS will request approval to accept bids from R Enterprise for remounting two ambulances scheduled for replacement in 2025 and 2026, which would be a cost-saving alternative to purchasing new units. An EMS Fund would cover the total cost.
Commissioners will appoint a new member to the Ellis County Library Board to fill a vacancy effective Oct.1. The appointment will run until April 30.
You can view the full agenda here.