IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF

BELL COUNTY, TEXAS

AUGUST  27, 2001

AFTER proper posting of public notice, a copy of which is attached hereto, on this the 27th day of August, 2001, the County Commissioners Court of Bell County, Texas, met in the Commissioners' Courtroom in Belton, Texas, in regular special session with the following members of said Court present, to-wit:

1. Agenda #1 - Minutes

• MINUTE ORDER #250/01: It being nine a.m. JUDGE BURROWS called the meeting to order and called to the Courts attention the fact that they had previously received copies of the minutes of August 20, 2001.  He asked if there were any corrections or additions,  there being no corrections, the minutes were approved as submitted.   
  
  
  
  
  

2. Agenda #2a - Schwald Road Hearing

• MINUTE ORDER #251/01:  The County Engineer presented the matter of hold a public hearing for the vacating of Schwald Road from 60th Street in Killeen to the West.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER CORTESE, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, the Court unanimously approved setting September 24, 2001, at nine a.m. as the date for the holding of a public hearing on such vacating.  
  
  
  
  

3. Agenda #2b - Auctioning of Bridge on South Mockingbird Road

• MINUTE ORDER #252/01:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER SCHILLLER, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously authorized the auctioning off of the wooden bridge on South Mockingbird Road over Cottonwood Creek.  
  
  
  
  

4. Agenda #2c - Personnel

• MINUTE ORDER #253/01: Upon motion of COMMISSIONER STEPHENSON, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously approved all employee status report forms, the same being attached hereto and made a part of these minutes..   
  
  
  
  

5. Agenda #3 - Ranger John Aycock

• MINUTE ORDER #254/01: JUDGE BURROWS on behalf of the Commissioners Court presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Ranger Johnnie Aycock in appreciation of the many years of service as a Law Enforcement Officer to the people of Bell County and the State of Texas (A copy of some of Ranger Aycock's service being attached hereto.) 
  
  
  
  
6. Agenda #4 - FY 2001-2002 Budget
   
   
• MINUTE ORDER #255/01: The Court considered the FY 01-02 budget as previously presented by JUDGE BURROWS and after due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER CORTESE, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved amending such budget as presented by the County Judge to leave Commissioners' salaries the same as the FY 00-01 budget; further, that no raises be granted to any elected official who draws a State supplemental salary.
         
  The Court then considered the matter of the FY 01-02 budget as amended and after due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the County Judge's FY 2001-2002 budget, as amended, was unanimously approved.
  
  
  
  
7. Agenda #5 - Tax Rate for 2001
   
   
• MINUTE ORDER #256/01:  JUDGE BURROWS presented the matter of setting the 2001 Tax Rate to cover the budget previously approved.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER SCHILLER seconded by,  COMMISSIONER STEPHENSON, the Court set the 2001 Tax Rate for Bell County at $0.2794 for Maintenance and Operation Fund for Bell County and $0.0572 for the interest and sinking fund for a total tax rate for Bell County of $0.3366 and $0.0285 for the Road and Bridge Maintenance Funds.       
  
  
  
  
8. Agenda #6 - Justice Court Technology Fund
   
   
• MINUTE ORDER #257/01:  The Court tabled the matter of court cost technology fund for Justice Court at the present time.       
  
  
  
  
9. Agenda #7 - Law Enforcement Grant Hearing
   
   
• MINUTE ORDER #258/01:  Sheriff Dan Smith presented the matter of the 01-02 local law enforcement block grant in the amount of $42,112.00.  The grant requires a $4679.00 matching grant which does not have to be budgeted until next year.  The grant period will run from 9/1/01 through 8/30/03.  The anticipated use of the funds will be for "purpose area one" programs such as overtime for special operations.  Purchase of technology (video cameras), etc.  JUDGE BURROWS then opened a public hearing on such block grant request.  He asked if there were any public comments;  there being none, the public hearing was closed and upon motion of COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved requesting such law enforcement grant funds.        
  
  
  
  
10. Agenda #8 - County's Insurance Contract
    
    
• MINUTE ORDER #259/01:  The Court then considered the awarding of a contract for Bell County Property and General Liability Insurance and after a report from Russell Williams of the County Auditor's Office, upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously approved awarding such bid to Leibowitz Insurance Agency in the amount of $309,000.00.       
  
  
  
  
11. Agenda #9 - Cellular Phone Contract
    
    
• MINUTE ORDER #260/01:  Mr. Russell Williams, Assistant County Auditor presented the matter of quotes for the County's Cellular Phone Service gave a report to the Court that the lowest and best cellular phone service contract was presented by AT&T Texan 2000 Program.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER STEPHENSON, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved awarding such contract to AT&T.        
  
  
  
  
12. Agenda #10 - Resolution of Support
    
    
• MINUTE ORDER #261/01:  Upon motion of JUDGE BURROWS, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, the Court unanimously approved a resolution supporting the City of Temple in their request to TxDOT for improvements to the Northwest Loop #363, all according to a copy of the same attached hereto.        
  
  
  
  
13. Agenda #11- Housing Military Prisoners
    
    
• MINUTE ORDER #262/01:  Sheriff Dan Smith presented the matter of Fort Hood's request for RFP's from Bell County for the Housing of Military prisoners.  Sheriff Smith stated that he felt that Bell County should ask for a reimbursement increase and requested the Court to authorize the County Judge and Sheriff Smith to submit an RFP to Fort Hood and if successful, to continue negotiations with them.  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER CORTESE, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved such request.       
  
  
  
  
14. Agenda #12 - Renewal of CIHCP Service Contract
    
    
• MINUTE ORDER #263/01:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER CORTESE, seconded by COMMISSIONER STEPHENSON, the Court unanimously approved renewal for FY 2002 the Optional County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP) Services.        
  
  
  
  
15. Agenda #13 - Administering CIHCP Program
    
    
• MINUTE ORDER #264/01:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously approved continuing to administer CIHCP according to policies described in Texas Department of Health County Indigent Health Care Program.        
  
  
  
  
16. Agenda #14 - Official Bond of Reserve Deputy Constable Frank R. Rodriguez
    
    
• MINUTE ORDER #265/01:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously approved the official bond of Frank R. Rodriguez as a Reserve Deputy Constable for Precinct #4.        
  
  
  
  
17. Agenda #16 - Claims
    
    
• MINUTE ORDER #266/01:  The County Auditor presented all claims for the review of the Court.  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously approved all such claims.  All according to a copy of the same on record in the office of the County Auditor.
  
  
  
  
  

                 (The Court then recessed its regular special meeting until 1:30 p.m.)

                (The Court then went into Workshop Session with the following items being discussed and no  
                action take on the same;  1) Various Personnel Policies;  2) Texas Indigent Burial Survey from 
                Tarrant County;  and 3) Pavlik-Valdez economic development proposal.)
                (The Court then reconvened its regular special meeting at 1:30 p.m. and with all members
                aforementioned in open Court, the following transpired.)





18. Agenda #15 - Redistricting 
    
    
• MINUTE ORDER #267/01:  JUDGE BURROWS reconvened a meeting of the Bell County Advisory Committee on Redistricting and the Committee Worked toward a finalization of such redistricting plan for consideration for presentation at public hearings and adoption of the same.        
  
  
  
  
19. Agenda #6 - Technology Fund
    
    
• MINUTE ORDER #268/01:  The Court then considered the matter of Court Cost Fees for Justice Court for a Technology Fund to be used for Justice Courts only.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER CORTESE, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court set an additional $2.00 fee per case to be collected by Justices Court effective 9/1/01, to be designated as the Justice Court Technology Fund.       
  
  
  
  There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.