By KALEY LYON

klyon@dailynews.net

Countywide zoning -- and the possibility of rescinding it -- was discussed by Ellis County Commissioners on Monday morning.

Chairman Dennis Pfannenstiel, who attended last week's planning commission meeting, expressed concerns about current zoning issues.

"To me, countywide zoning is just causing nothing but trouble," he said. "At the meeting the other night, they accomplished nothing. All that got done was bickering.

"Somebody would say something, somebody else would jump down their throat."

While Pfannenstiel voted in favor of zoning a few years ago, and still believes it is a necessity, he's beginning to have doubts, he said.

Commissioner Vernon Berens said he also has considered the possibility of abandoning county zoning regulations, and suggested posing the question to the public during the Aug. 5 primary election.

"I would like to see the citizens of Ellis County tell the three of us, we represent them," Berens said. "They've had an opportunity for a couple of years now to witness countywide zoning, and we've had over 100 years without countywide zoning. So they can tell us if they want it or don't want it."

Berens said such a vote would provide guidance in decision-making but would not be a binding decision.

Commissioner Perry Henman, who also was present at Wednesday's meeting, agreed taking a vote might be a good idea but expressed a few concerns.

"When I ran (for office), I wasn't totally for zoning," Henman said. "I wasn't against zoning. I was sort of against the process that we used to get it in place. As far as a vote, that might be a good idea."

However, countywide zoning predominately affects rural residents, so legal opinion would be required to determine whether the question would appear on all ballots or only in affected areas, he said.

Commissioners also discussed the current planning commission meetings and challenges potentially affecting the procedures.

"I think some of the problem is we've got a deadlock, because there's vested interest on a particular subject, and that carries over to all the other subjects," Henman said. "Everyone's got an opinion already, I'm sure. But if some people would be open to compromise ... it wouldn't be so contentious."

Furthermore, the planning commission makes recommendations to the county commission, which has the final authority. This role also seems to be causing confusion, he said.

"The other Catch 22 problem we're having now is that you to go to meetings and they say, 'We don't have to discuss that because the commission has the final choice, and they can decide,' " Henman said. "Yet, when we turn around and we vote on something, we're using what they recommend. So the subject never even gets totally gone through."

Another issue is the composition of the board. Several members' terms soon will end, and it has been difficult to find volunteers to sit on the board, Pfannenstiel said, also citing concern with accusations made at last week's meeting.

"People there popped up to the zoning committee for not taking an oath of office. They don't need to take an oath of office. They're not elected officials," he said. "They are appointed by us, they are not elected. But it was completely out of hand."

"And it has been," Henman said. "Now there was a little glimmer at the end of that meeting when they actually started going through the rules point by point.

"So I don't know how long. Do you give the process a chance or not?"

Commissioners agreed the issue could require further discussion and input from county counsel and the planning commission.

In other business:

* Emergency Management Coordinator Addie Homburg discussed the awarded hazard mitigation grant. The county was awarded almost $25,000 to redo the mitigation plan, and several bids had been received, which were tabled for further consideration.

* Commissioners approved a bid in the amount of $7,700 for an air compressor for the public works department.

* The commission approved rental of a roller cart for the public works department. The accepted rental fee is $3,500 per month, and the cart will be needed for two months.

* Commissioners departed on a county road tour.