By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission reviewed documents to establish a community improvement district at Stonewood Estates North Addition during Tuesday's meeting.
Homeowners are seeking to establish an improvement district to fund road improvements within their subdivision and extend those improvements to 270th Avenue.
No vote was taken to approve a drafted petition as the commission works to establish consistent criteria for future improvement district projects.
"We need to have some kind of minimum standard regarding years of maintenance and more," Commissioner Michael Berges said.
Darin Myers, county administrator, recapped commission discussions on establishing minimum standards, including maintenance expectations over 10 years and how those standards may vary by road type, potentially requiring a higher signature threshold than the statutory minimum, and the county avoiding upfront costs that could divert resources from other projects.
Dominic Eck of Gillmore & Bell said the county may set a higher signature requirement if it chooses, rather than the statutory minimum of 55%.
Commissioners also discussed with Eck the details of signatures for jointly owned properties and trusts, as well as which payments may be accepted and bond proceeds.
Larry Cleveland with Ransom Financial said there would be a 10-year bond for Stonewood Estates North Addition, with an assessment of about $80 per month, including interest and fees.
Bonds for major projects through the Public Building Commission
The commission approved a resolution authorizing the Public Building Commission to begin the bonding process to finance several major county building projects.
Throughout 2025, the commission reviewed proposed projects, their costs and financing options. Preliminary estimates total about $10.78 million. The commission set a $11 million bond cap to allow for flexibility and account for other fees.
The projects include a remodel of the law enforcement center, replacement of the courthouse and administrative building HVAC system, and a fire storage building at Public Works.
SEE RELATED STORY: Ellis County Commission sees decreased costs for multiple projects
Other business
The commission also approved 2025 end-of-year transfers from departmental operating budgets into reserve funds.
The Ellis County Fire Department will use a U.S. Department of Interior grant that provides about $21,000 to install a fire skid unit on an existing vehicle, among other modifications.
Ellis County Public Works was approved to purchase an 8-foot culvert to replace a county bridge on Saline River Road. Brendan Mackay, public works director, recommends accepting a bid of about $34,200 from Wellborn Sales, the lowest-cost option.
The commission accepted a donation of about $1,250 from Buckeye Wind Energy to the Ellis County Fire Department to reimburse project costs in Schoenchen, including radio installation and building modifications.
Ellis County’s Noxious Weed Department received approval to purchase a 2026 tractor and a mounted boom mower.