By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
Ellis County commissioners approved a $359,112 upgrade to the Ellis County Jail video control access system during Tuesday’s county commission meeting following a presentation from Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun.
Braun told commissioners the current jail control system has reached the end of its operational life after more than 13 years of use. He said the county has completed upgrades over the years, but ongoing issues with out-of-state service providers created delays when repairs were needed.
“We’ve had out of state ones that we’ve had issues with,” Braun said during the meeting. “Sometimes months to get them there.”
Braun said the project comes as renovations continue within the Law Enforcement Center, including additional door controls and expanded camera access throughout the building.
The approved proposal came from Electronic Contracting Company after the county opened a bid process for the project. Braun said county specifications required companies to provide in-state support coverage and rapid response times for repairs and maintenance.
Under the agreement, the company must respond remotely within one hour if problems occur with the system. If remote repairs are unsuccessful, technicians must arrive on site within three hours.
Braun said the upgraded system will operate on a Linux-based platform instead of the county’s current Windows-based system. He described the Linux system as more stable and said updates are expected to be less frequent.
“This will not touch the outside network,” Braun said. “Unless we plug it in, that’s the only way.”
Commissioners also discussed the projected lifespan of the system. Braun said county staff and technology consultants believe the new platform will remain operational for about 15 years with routine maintenance.
The system upgrade includes video monitoring and access control throughout the jail, Law Enforcement Center and portions of the court system.
Braun said the project will also add camera access in additional areas of the facility while allowing dispatch, jail staff and the sheriff’s office to monitor activity throughout the building.
Braun described the control system as a critical component of jail operations and employee safety.
“The control system is the heart of the operation,” Braun said. “When that is down, that changes everything.”
Braun told commissioners the technology helps the county maintain staffing levels while monitoring inmate activity and building security. Without the system, he said staffing needs would increase significantly.
Commissioners also discussed a separate multi-year care plan tied to the project. Braun recommended paying the maintenance agreement through future contractual budgeting instead of adding the expense to the county bond package. County officials said the agreement locks in pricing for future years of service coverage.
Courts and Re-Path agreement
Ellis County officials received an update on the continued use of RePath supervision software within the district court system.
District Court Administrator Mike Smith and Chief Court Services Officer Theresa Greenwood discussed the program during the Ellis County Commission meeting. The software was previously approved using opioid settlement funds.
Greenwood said the program is being used for pretrial supervision through court services. During the past six months, 15 individuals have participated in the program, with seven active.
Greenwood said the application allows court services staff to monitor exclusion zones, curfews and travel restrictions through GPS tracking. The system also alerts staff if a defendant powers off location services or violates supervision requirements.
The RePath software is an app that is installed on cellular devices.
Greenwood said the software allows officers to send appointment reminders, court notices and direct messages to defendants through the application. Staff can also request immediate check-ins to help locate individuals if needed.
The program can additionally flag contact between defendants using the application when interaction is prohibited.
Greenwood also told commissioners the system provides added accountability while allowing lower-risk defendants to remain in the community before trial instead of remaining in jail.
“It really has been a benefit,” Greenwood said.
COLA Adjustments
Ellis County employees will receive a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment following action taken during Monday’s Ellis County Commission meeting.
County officials said the 2.8% increase was calculated using the mean average of the last three years of cost-of-living data.
The adjustment applies to all Ellis County employees and elected officials.
Following the increase, updated annual salaries for elected county officials include:
• County Commissioner District 1 — $21,037• County Commissioner District 2 — $21,886• County Commissioner District 3 — $21,037• County Attorney — $173,575• County Clerk — $88,053• County Clerk Election Stipend — $10,000• County Treasurer — $82,972• Register of Deeds — $95,857• County Sheriff — $117,216
Commissioners approved the adjustment as part of ongoing county compensation considerations.
Motor Vehicle Fee Changes 2027
Ellis County commissioners approved an increase to the county’s motor vehicle transaction fee during their commission meeting following a presentation from Ellis County Treasurer Vernon Ruder.
The resolution increases the motor vehicle transaction fee from $5 to $10 beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The increase will remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2029.
According to discussion during the meeting, the fee adjustment follows the approval of Senate Bill 325, which allows counties to establish more sustainable funding for motor vehicle department operations.
County officials said the funding structure is intended to reduce reliance on property tax dollars by allowing motor vehicle-related services to help support department operations directly.
The fee applies to motor vehicle transactions including registration renewals, online renewals and title processing.
Ruder told commissioners the change is expected to provide a more stable revenue source for the department while helping ease pressure on local taxpayers.
Commissioners approved the resolution during the meeting.
Public Comment about Ellis EMS/Fire Station
An Ellis County resident voiced concerns during the Ellis County Commission meeting regarding the proposed $3.5 million EMS and fire station project in Ellis.
During public comment, Ellen Riedel told commissioners she believes county funds could also be directed toward other needs, including school, road and city improvements.
Riedel said she supports emergency services and is not opposed to the proposed fire station and EMS project. However, she questioned whether the facility could be completed at a lower cost, allowing remaining funds to be used for additional county priorities.
“Are you aware that our grocery store just closed?” Reidel said to commissioners. “Our high school has gone to an eight man football team. If we don't get kids in that school, it could go to a six man. Our town is doing this, it's shrinking.”
Rediel said she met with current Firefighters and EMS services and have the backing from them. Reidel also came in with approximately 300 signatures from Ellis residents who are not in favor of spending that amount of money on a new facility, instead fix the ones they have.
Commissioner Nathan Leiker responded during the discussion, acknowledging concerns about county spending priorities while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining emergency service infrastructure. County Administrator Darin Myers added that the $3.5 million figure was only an initial estimate. After reviewing potential reductions and removing certain project costs, Myers said approximately $1.2 million could be accounted for, bringing the projected cost down from the original estimate.
Commissioner Michael Berges also spoke on Reidel's comments about road improvements.
“It's part of our road projects over the next 13 years that we've outlined, and these are projects that us as a commission are on our capital plan for the next 10 years,” Berges said. “And what we've essentially done is move those projects forward to take care of them now, because we don't have to raise taxes to do it.”
Rediel went on to outline that property taxes and valuations are increasing. Berges said next week the commission is going to discuss how Mills are affecting property taxes in Ellis County.
In Other Business
- Ellis County commissioners discussed a request from the Schoenchen City Council regarding the possible transfer of ownership for a small piece of property in Schoenchen. Kyle Zimmerman with the City of Schoenchen attended the meeting to present the request. If approved, county staff will work with legal counsel to begin the process, with final documents expected to come before the commission at a future meeting. Plans for surveying the land are now in place.
- Ellis County commissioners approved a request from Leo Dorzweiler to rename the Deutschefest Hall at the Ellis County Fairgrounds to the Loran Zimmerman and Unsere Leute Deutschefest Meeting Room. The request was made to recognize the late Loran Zimmerman’s contributions, including his time, financial support and efforts in developing the fairgrounds.
- Ellis County welcomed several new employees during the latest County Commission meeting.The Public Works Department has added Weston Pfeifer to its team. The Ellis County Treasurer’s Office welcomed Ashlee Parker and the Ellis County Health Department added Bobie Jennings.