EYES ON ELLIS COUNTY (August 14, 2025)

ALMA

The Alma City Council canceled its Ordinance Workshop last week, August 7. The workshop was regarding Ordinance 2025-5-1 on Driveway Regulations of five acres or more. The Alma City website indicates the meeting will be rescheduled in the future.

BARDWELL

Trash rates are being increased in the City of Bardwell on August 2025 billing cycle. It will now be at a rate of $16.86 a month.

CEDAR HILL

For food trunk junkies, Cedar Hill has a Food Truck in the Park event every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Signature Park, 450 Pioneer Trail. Food Truck in the Park is a rotating smorgasbord of delicious food, and live music.

ENNIS

Ennis will hold its Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Tax Rate Hearing on September 2. A tax rate of $0.680708 per $100 valuation has been proposed by the governing body of Ennis City. The no-new-revenue tax rate is the tax rate for the 2025 tax year that will raise the same amount of property tax revenue for Ennis City from the same properties in both the 2024 tax year and the 2025 tax year.

FERRIS

Ferris was selected as a primary film location for “RIO PALO,” a Paramount spinoff series of “Yellowstone.” Filming will take place at various locations throughout the city, and the production team has coordinated closely with city staff, local law enforcement, and regional partners to ensure a smooth and well-managed process. A location in Ferris will also be featured as the central home of the show’s lead characters.

GRAND PRAIRIE

The City of Grand Prairie recently received a $2.8 Million grant to enhance Fish Creek Linear Park Trail. One of the key upgrades will be the installation of pedestrian lighting along the trail, especially in wooded areas that currently lack adequate lighting.

GLENN HEIGHTS

Recently transitioning to a new utility billing and payment system with InfoSend, Glenn Heights residents now have more options such as electronic billing and the ability to pay by phone.

ITALY

Italy City Council meeting was deciding if a garage sale permit would be needed for the citywide garage sale. The city wide garage sale will take place on October 18, 2025.

MANSFIELD

City leaders in Mansfield broke ground late last month to celebrate the start of construction on the new city hall. The new municipal building will be located at Heritage and Regency parkways. The new facility is 60,000 square-feet, 20,000 square-feet larger than the current 40,000 facility on East Broad Street.

MAYPEARL

The Maypearl City Council discussed at this week’s council meeting whether to move city elections from May to November each year. If decided to alter the dates the change is permitted by SB1494.

MIDLOTHIAN

Midlothian Police’s dispatch services, known as Northern Ellis Emergency Dispatch, relocated last week to the PD’s new facility. No disruption to public safety services was experienced during NEED’s move to its new home.

MILFORD

The City of Milford ISD reports a 100% graduation rate and a 9:1 student to teacher ratio.

OAK LEAF

Oak Leaf’s animal registration fees and code of ordinances can be found at https://ecode360.com/39834606.

OVILLA

Ovilla’s City Council meeting this week explored possible action on a Petition for Release of approximately 83 acres of land from the City of Ovilla ETJ, which was filed by First Texas Homes, Inc.

PECAN HILL

Pecan Hill reports is has the lowest tax rate in Ellis County even though there is no commercial activity permitted in the city limits as all the zoning is residential and there are no multi-family properties permitted within the city limits.

RED OAK

Remember Red Oak’s Summer watering reminder. To help conserve water during the hottest months, outdoor watering with irrigation systems is only allowed between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. until August 31. You can use a handheld hose or bucket to water if needed.

VENUS

Venus introduced its new Fire Chief at the City Council this week. Brad Hargrove, according to the Venus Police Department, was officially welcomed to the position on July 15, 2025. Hargrove has over 27 years of experience in the fire service.

WAXAHACHIE

Waxahachie Fire-Rescue team members were recognized at the Shield and Promotional Ceremony by Waxahachie Fire-Rescue Department. The shield ceremony was the completion of a rigorous training, and commitment to upholding the values and traditions of the fire service. Battalion Chief Joey Dawson, Captain Jason Eubanks, Lieutenant Seth Corder, and Pump Engineer Jeremy Mehringer were recognized during the promotional ceremony.

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