
Ellis County Lifts Burn Ban After Nearly Three Months
Ellis County lifted its burn ban October 13. The ban had been in effect since July 21.

Ellis County lifted its burn ban October 13. The ban had been in effect since July 21.

Ellis County Auditor Staci Parr says no county money is missing, responding to questions about $20 million that surfaced during discussions of the county’s upcoming budget.

Ellis County is mourning Treasurer Cheryl Chambers, a longtime public servant remembered by those who knew her as sharp, dependable and deeply devoted to the people around her.

Ellis County residents turned out Tuesday to weigh in on the proposed FY2027 budget, and the dominant message from public speakers was opposition — particularly to the tax burden and proposed changes to county administration.

Ellis County Judge John Wray says he will seek an outside audit after a preliminary review found the county may have collected about $20 millions more in tax revenue than it budgeted to spend, raising questions about where the money went.

Ellis County has amended its proposed 2027 budget after an incorrect FY2026 property tax revenue estimate made the projected increase appear substantially larger. The correction changes a major number in the debate, but questions over staffing, new administrative departments and county facilities remain.

Ellis County is proposing no increase in its property tax rate for 2027, but the county still expects to collect nearly 13% more in property taxes. At least one county commissioner is already pushing back on the proposal.

Ellis County is proposing salary and allowance changes for elected officials in FY2027, with most offices receiving modest raises and several positions seeing larger adjustments.

Ellis County’s proposed 2027 budget would increase authorized staffing from 707 to 744 positions while creating two new administrative departments. One of the most striking changes is in juvenile services, where staffing would jump from 36 to 54 positions — a 50% increase that suggests the county is preparing for significantly greater demand for juvenile probation and detention services.

Ellis County is now under a county-wide burn ban after commissioners approved the measure during their Tuesday, July 21 meeting.