Ellis County Commissioners Court on a regular meeting approved a slate of routine and administrative actions, including the release of maintenance bonds for a subdivision, changes to the county's flood damage prevention order, a property-and-liability insurance renewal that raised the county's premium, and multiple election-related items for the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot.

The court unanimously approved the consent agenda (items A1'A11 and F1'F11), then took up individual agenda items including development, purchasing, and administrative matters. County Judge and Commissioners Louis Ponder, Butler and Stinson (a quorum) voted in favor of each motion; Commissioner Lane Grayson was absent and excused. No recorded votes opposed any item.

A key action was item 1.1: the court approved staff'recommended release of two maintenance bonds for Springside Estates Phase 2 and accepted a supplemental cash deposit to cover outstanding work. Staff told the court the two maintenance bonds total just under $960,000 and that the developer offered a $15,000 deposit to address remaining items. The county will not accept any infrastructure until the listed deficiencies are corrected and inspected; staff said the developer expects to complete the work within about a month. Commissioner Butler moved the motion; Commissioner Ponder seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

On item 1.2 the court approved an amendment to the county's Flood Damage Prevention Order (last adopted Oct. 17, 2023, minute order 477.23) to update the penalty clause. Staff said the change corrects an improper cross-reference in the FEMA template and that FEMA has reviewed and accepted the adjustment. The amendment was advertised in the county newspaper on Sept. 24. Commissioner Ponder moved the amendment; Commissioner Stinson seconded; the vote was unanimous.

Purchasing staff presented item 2.1, a renewal agreement with broker Hibbs Hallmark & Co. for property, liability, auto, law enforcement and cyber coverage. Staff told the court the renewal will raise the county's overall premium by $354,144 for the coming year due to expanded coverage and prior-year claims; the broker said the county's total premium is just over $1 million. Commissioner Butler moved to approve the renewal; Commissioner Ponder seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

On elections, the court signed a notice of amendment and the joint-election notice to hold the Nov. 4, 2025 election, and approved a joint-services contract to administer elections for nine participating political subdivisions. Elections staff said the Nov. 4 ballot will include 17 propositions (constitutional amendments) and races or propositions for nine local entities; the jurisdictions listed in the contract include the cities of Ferris and Lehi Heights, Maypearl ISD, Midlothian ISD, Ellis County Emergency Service District Nos. 5 and 9, and Ellis County Municipal Utility District No. 4. Commissioner Ponder moved to approve the notice; Commissioner Stinson seconded. For the joint contract Commissioner Butler moved and Commissioner Stinson seconded; both passed unanimously.

The court also nominated and approved two candidates for the Ellis Appraisal District Board of Directors: Tim Cummings and Walter Erwin, each for a four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2026 and ending Dec. 31, 2029. County staff explained the updated appointment process and vote distribution for board nominees and noted the formal nomination deadline for taxing units is Oct. 15. Commissioner Stinson moved to nominate both candidates; Commissioner Butler seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

Two ceremonial proclamations were read and recognized on the record: a county proclamation recognizing Oct. 14 as a national day of remembrance for Charlie Kirk and a resolution endorsing and supporting the Ellis County Rural Heritage Farm as it undergoes evaluation with the Texas Historical Commission for possible historic-site designation. The court read both proclamations and posed for photographs with farm representatives.

No items were scheduled for executive session and the court adjourned.

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (A1'A11; F1'F11): Motion by Commissioner Stinson; second Commissioner Butler. Outcome: Approved unanimously.
- Item 1.1 (Springside Estates Phase 2 maintenance bonds): Motion by Commissioner Butler; second Commissioner Ponder. Motion approved. Key terms: release of two maintenance bonds totaling just under $960,000, acceptance of $15,000 supplemental deposit; county will not accept infrastructure until deficiencies corrected; developer anticipates completion within about one month.
- Item 1.2 (Flood Damage Prevention Order amendment): Motion by Commissioner Ponder; second Commissioner Stinson. Motion approved. Change: corrects a cross-reference in the penalty clause; FEMA reviewed and accepted the change; advertised Sept. 24.
- Item 2.1 (Insurance renewal with Hibbs Hallmark & Co.): Motion by Commissioner Butler; second Commissioner Ponder. Motion approved. Staff reported the county's total premium is just over $1 million and the year-over-year increase is $354,144.
- Item 3.3 (Notice of amendment and joint election notice for Nov. 4, 2025): Motion by Commissioner Ponder; second Commissioner Stinson. Motion approved.
- Item 3.4 (Joint contract for election services with participating political subdivisions): Motion by Commissioner Butler; second Commissioner Stinson. Motion approved. Jurisdictions named on the contract include: City of Ferris; City of Lehi Heights; Maypearl ISD; Midlothian ISD; Ellis County Emergency Service District Nos. 5 and 9; and Ellis County Municipal Utility District No. 4.
- Item 3.5 (Nomination of appraisal district board members): Motion by Commissioner Stinson; second Commissioner Butler. Motion approved. Nominees: Tim Cummings and Walter Erwin (term 01/01/2026'12/31/2029).

What the record shows and what it does not
- All recorded votes on the regular agenda items were unanimous in favor; no opposed votes were recorded in the transcript.
- Several numerical details were given by staff (bond totals, premium increase); where precise figures were unclear on the record, the article reports the county's description (for example, staff said the two maintenance bonds total "just under $960,000").

Sources: Ellis County Commissioners Court meeting transcript; presentations and staff remarks recorded on the public meeting record.