Judge Little reflects on six years of accomplishments for Ellis County
To the Citizens of Ellis County:
Six years ago, I took an oath to defend the Constitution by serving as your Ellis County Judge. The citizens of Ellis County entrusted me to be transparent with their tax dollars as I collaborated with fellow elected officials, public & private partners, and engaged citizens to prepare Ellis County for unprecedented growth and prosperity. With these accomplishments firmly established as our track record, I believe the next County Judge is poised for success.
It has been one of the highest honors of my life to serve you as the Ellis County Judge. These last six years, we have seen many important successes, including lowering the property tax rate, bringing cutting-edge economic & workforce development projects to our community, and creating Ellis County’s first long-term strategic facilities plan. We have implemented judicial system enhancements, behavioral health coordination, and capital improvements such as furtherment of our transportation network and remodeling of three tax offices, as well as new construction of the sub-courthouse for the Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2. During the uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic, we operated the most successful vaccine hub in Texas. We have supported the growing entertainment industry in North Texas, as evidenced by the filming of The Chosen, we have brought national figures like Senator Ted Cruz to our community, we have increased investment from multinational corporations into Ellis County, and we have opened the new Ellis County Central facility for the benefit of our constituents to provide a “one-stop shop” for development and tax services.
Through six years of hard work, we have established Ellis County as the epicenter of growing economic and cultural significance within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and with debt-free construction and renovations underway within the Emerging Ellis County 2050 Strategic Plan and Recommendations, I am confident that we now leave Ellis County in a much better position than it has been before.
Recently, I applied to become the next Executive Director of the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), a 16-county partnership that helps coordinate economic growth, workforce development, emergency preparedness, our transportation network, education, and more for the North Central Texas region. The decision to apply for this new position did not come easily. My wife Dawn and I have discussed and prayed over this decision for many months, and we ultimately believe that this is an opportunity that God has placed before us for His broader purposes. As Proverbs 16:9 describes, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
After completion of the interview process, I am honored that the Executive Board of NCTCOG has selected me to serve as their new Executive Director. My first day will be May 15th, and consequently, I must now resign my position as Ellis County Judge, effective on May 15th, 2025.
Thank you to each and every one of you who have supported me as your County Judge and served as valued team-members and partners in our community. None of what we have accomplished would have been possible without your hard work and foresight for the future of Ellis County. I know that God has magnificent plans for each of you and for Ellis County, and I look forward to continuing to serve you through NCTCOG as we strive for continued greatness in the North Texas region.
Sincerely,
Todd Little,
Ellis County Judge, 2019-25
