Ennis meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Ennis boards weigh 86-home subdivision, tax rate, and airport rent relief

Over the past two weeks, Ennis boards and commissions met on a range of items, but no final decisions have been published yet. The most consequential item on the table was a proposed 86-home subdivision, along with a property tax rate for the next fiscal year and several large contracts.

City Commission: Subdivision, tax rate, and contracts

At its Aug. 18 meeting, the City Commission held a public hearing on rezoning a 124.289-acre tract at 2200 Country Club Road from Agricultural and Single-Family Residential to Planned Development for the Tranquility Subdivision, which would include approximately 86 single-family lots. The commission also discussed a resolution proposing the property tax rate for Fiscal Year 2027, with an estimate of $1,759.57 for a $258,491 median-valued homestead. The resolution would set the date, time, and place for a public hearing on the rate.

The same agenda included several contracts: a $95,500 audit contract with Forvis Mazars for FY 2026, with an option to renew up to four additional years; a $29,154 service agreement with On Duty Health for firefighter medical screenings; a $21,600 task order with Gresham Smith for a City Hall building condition assessment; and Change Order 3 for the Water Treatment Plant Bypass project, which would decrease the contract from $1,945,014 to $1,881,307. The commission also discussed amending a certificate of obligation issuance, a water system lead service line replacement agreement, and a Christmas lights and decor contract extension.

Economic Development Corporation

The Ennis Economic Development Corporation held a public hearing Aug. 11 on its FY 2026-27 annual budget and considered reinvesting certificates of deposit that expire in September 2026. The board also met Aug. 24 to renew those CDs and approve amendments to its bylaws, which would then go to the City Commission for final approval.

Historic Landmark Commission

On Aug. 17, the Historic Landmark Commission considered two Certificates of Appropriateness: one for 402 W Belknap St. (exterior paint in Sherwin Williams Needlepoint Navy and Classic Light Buff, plus window replacements) and one for 712 W Knox St. (vinyl soffit, fascia, gutters, and 16 window replacements, postponed from July 20). The commission also reviewed a list of administratively approved certificates from July 11 to Aug. 7.

Parks and Arts

The Parks and Recreation Board met Aug. 19 for informational updates on parks projects, recreation programs, and the Keep Ennis Beautiful initiative. The Arts Commission held a workshop Aug. 13 to plan fall events, including a pumpkin patch and maze, a haunted maze, and sponsorship proposals.

Coming up

• **Aug. 24** – EDC board to renew CDs, amend bylaws, and discuss economic development projects in executive session.
• **Aug. 24** – Planning and Zoning Commission to consider a preliminary plat for the 31.14-acre Kaufman Industrial Park Addition at 2900 N Kaufman St.
• **Aug. 25** – Airport Advisory Board to vote on temporary rent relief for tenants affected by construction on the Airport Capital Improvement Project (F441).
• **Aug. 25** – Arts Commission to discuss Haunted Maze and downtown mural updates.
• **Aug. 25** – Informal gathering of 19 boards at the Ennis Welcome Center; no official action allowed.

Ennis boards faced full agendas last two weeks; minutes not yet published

Ennis residents saw a busy stretch of board and commission meetings between July 20 and July 30, but official minutes have not yet been published for any of them. That means no outcomes, vote tallies, or final dollar amounts can be confirmed from the public record at this time. What is available are the agendas, which outline what each body was scheduled to consider.

The most consequential agenda item came before the Ennis City Commission on July 21: a proposed bid award of up to $1,018,055.00 for a Lead Service Line Replacement project. The same meeting agenda included a resolution to increase the City Manager's base salary, authorization to renew OpenGov cloud software for up to $173,406.63, a $45,000 budget amendment for Downtown Events, and a Charter Review Committee presentation on proposed charter amendments. A separate notice indicated a quorum of the Charter Review Committee might attend the City Commission meeting, but that body was not scheduled to take official action.

Crime Control and Prevention District Board — July 21

The Crime Control and Prevention District Board was scheduled to adopt the FY 2027 Crime Control Plan and district budget, pending approval of June 30 meeting minutes. The agenda included a tax impact statement: an estimated property tax of $1,759.57 on a median-valued homestead if the proposed budget is adopted, compared with $1,651.41 at the no-new-revenue rate. Whether the board voted to adopt the plan is not yet confirmed in the public record.

Historic Landmark Commission — July 20

The Historic Landmark Commission was set to review five requests for Certificates of Appropriateness for residential structures. The requests included a proposed 712 sq ft detached garage at 403 N Preston St. (Fain House), vinyl soffit, fascia, gutters, and 16 window replacements at 712 W Knox St., replacement of 5 windows with PVC-wood composite at 701 NW Main St., siding, porch, door, and shutter repairs and painting at 908 N Preston St., and replacement of a cedar privacy fence at 605 N Preston St. (E.K. Atwood House).

Economic Development Corporation — July 30

The EDC Board was scheduled to consider creating a Downtown Business Assistance Grant Program for businesses affected by the Railroad Underpass Improvement Project. If approved, it would replace the Small Business Catalyst Grant Program and Historic Preservation Grant Program for FY 2026-2027. The agenda also included a June monthly financial report, approval of June 25 meeting minutes, and an executive session on economic development negotiations for Project Gateway and Project Apple.

Other July 28 meetings

The Airport Advisory Board was scheduled to receive updates on airport projects, hangar development, a Land Lease Terms Ordinance, and the June financial report. The Arts Commission was set to discuss the Haunted Maze project and a Bluebonnet Market Dia De Los Muertos Edition, plus update its 2026-2027 work plan. The Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum Board was scheduled to discuss potential changes to museum admission prices and receive an attendance update.

Coming up

• **Aug. 4 — City Commission:** Public hearing on the FY 2026-2027 Crime Control and Prevention District budget; proposed special elections for a .0025 street maintenance sales tax and Home Rule City Charter amendments; reassignment of $270,000 in FY 2026 funds for an aerial bucket truck and salt brine production system; and a FY 2026-2027 budget workshop.
• **Aug. 5 — Main Street Board:** Approval of July 1 minutes, Q2 project progress report, and assignment of leads for Q3 tasks. No formal decisions are listed.

Ennis City Commission set to vote on $1.018M lead service line replacement; FY 2027 budget proposals total $5.97M

The Ennis City Commission is scheduled to vote July 21 on a $1,018,055.00 contract for a Lead Service Line Replacement project, the largest single-dollar item on this week's agenda. Earlier, on July 7, commissioners reviewed proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget requests totaling $5.97 million across multiple funds. Minutes for recent meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes of those discussions are not confirmed.

City Commission: FY 2027 budget and upcoming contracts

The July 7 agenda listed budget decision packages from several funds, including the General Fund, Economic Development Fund, and Water & Sewer Fund. Specific one-time requests included $275,000 for a Fire replacement brush truck, $300,000 for a Water & Sewer replacement blower for the digester, $300,000 for a Public Works bucket truck, and $200,000 for library parking lot improvements. A recurring request of $390,102 would fund four police officers.

The July 21 City Commission agenda includes several resolutions: a City Manager base salary increase, renewal of OpenGov cloud software up to $173,406.63, the $1,018,055.00 lead service line replacement bid award, and a $45,000 amendment to the FY 2026 budget for downtown events. Commissioners will also receive the Charter Review Committee's presentation on proposed charter amendments and consider appointments to city boards.

Planning and Zoning: 124-acre zoning change proposed

On July 13, the Planning and Zoning Commission was scheduled to hold a public hearing on a zoning change for a 124.289-acre tract at 2200 Country Club Road. The request would rezone the property from Agricultural (A) and Single-Family Residential District – 10 (R-10) to Planned Development (PD) for the Tranquility Subdivision, which would include 86 lots. The commission was also set to consider a final plat for Phase 3B of the Prairie View Subdivision at Lakeview Drive & Liska Road, covering 160 residential lots and 4 common area lots.

Charter Review Committee moves toward final recommendations

The Charter Review Committee met July 9 to vote on proposed amendments to Home Rule Charter Articles 9–12. On July 15, the committee was scheduled to finalize recommended charter amendments for presentation to the City Commission and discuss informational materials for voters. A July 21 notice indicates a quorum of the committee may be present at the City Commission meeting, though no official action will be taken by the committee at that time.

Other boards and commissions

• **Keep Ennis Beautiful Board** (July 13): Discussed changing its regular meeting date and time, a guided nature walk at Kachina Prairie with Indian Trail Master Naturalists, a seasonal tree maintenance event at IOOF at Fairview, and a July 25 litter and beautification event.
• **Ennis Public Library Advisory Board** (July 14): Considered approval of the Library Strategic Plan and reviewed library statistics and upcoming programs.
• **Parks and Recreation Board** (July 15): Received park project updates and a recreation report, and discussed upcoming downtown events.
• **Kaufman Development District Board** (July 16): Discussed forming a sub-committee to develop facade grant guidelines and reviewed a June financial report.

Coming up

• **July 20 — Historic Landmark Commission**: Five residential modification requests, including a 712 sq ft detached garage at 403 N Preston St. (Fain House), 16 window replacements at 712 W Knox St., and cedar privacy fence replacement at 605 N Preston St. (E.K. Atwood House).
• **July 21 — Crime Control and Prevention District Board**: Vote on adopting the FY 2027 Crime Control Plan and budget. The agenda includes a tax impact statement estimating $1,759.57 for a median-valued homestead if the budget is adopted, versus $1,651.41 at the no-new-revenue rate.
• **July 21 — City Commission**: Votes on the lead service line contract, OpenGov renewal, City Manager salary increase, and $45,000 downtown events budget amendment.