IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF

BELL COUNTY, TEXAS

JUNE 21, 2004

AFTER proper posting of public notice, a copy of which is attached hereto, on this the 21st day of June, A.D. 2004, the County Commissioners Court of Bell County, Texas, met in the Commissioners' Courtroom in Belton, Texas, in regular session with the following members of said Court present, to-wit:

1. Agenda #1 - Minutes

• MINUTE ORDER #198/04:  It being nine a.m. JUDGE BURROWS called the meeting to order and waived the presentation of the previous Court minutes.             
  
  
  
  

2. Agenda #2a - Public Hearing on Traffic Control Signs

• MINUTE ORDER #199/04:  JUDGE BURROWS opened the public hearing on the installation of traffic control devices for the following locations, to-wit: 1) Install a 30 mph speed limit on Bear Branch Road;  2) Install a 30 mph speed limit on all roads in Crossland Estates Subdivision;  3) Install stop sign on Rolling Hills Drive at Crossland Drive (both directions);  4) Install stop sign on Rolling Hills Drive at Trails End Drive;  5) Install stop sign on Trails End Drive at Crossland Drive;  6) Install Yield sign on Cross Bend Drive at Crossland Drive; and 7) Install Yield sign on Meadow Glen Drive at Crossland Drive. He asked if there were any public comments on such control devices and Mr. Chuck Demling requested that a 25 mph speed limit be placed on Bear Branch Road due to the children playing in this Road.  There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed and after due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER FISHER, the Court unanimously approved all such traffic control devices as recommended by the County Engineer with the further provision that the Engineer study Mr. Demling's request and come back to the Court with information concerning his study.  
  
  
  
  

3. Agenda #3 - Personnel

• MINUTE ORDER #200/04:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, the Court unanimously approved all employee status report forms, the same being attached hereto and made a part of these minutes. 
  
  
  
  

4. Agenda #4 - Donna Hartman Proclamation

• MINUTE ORDER #201/04:  JUDGE BURROWS presented a proclamation honoring Donna Hartman upon her retirement from the City Council of Morgan's Point Resort, after 23 years of service, the last six as Mayor, and designating June 21, 2004, as Donna Hartman Day in Bell County.  Sheriff Dan Smith also presented  Ms. Hartman a Yellow Rose of Texas proclamation from Governor Rick Perry. 
  
  
  
  

5. Agenda #5 - 65 year old and Disabled Tax Exemption

• MINUTE ORDER #202/04:  JUDGE BURROWS presented the matter of the implementation of House Bill 136 Codified in Tax Code Section 11.261 and approved by Constitutional Amendment vote, providing for ad valorem tax limitation on residence homesteads of disabled and age 65 or older homeowners.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER CORTESE, seconded by COMMISSIONER FISHER, with COMMISSIONER BROWN voting 'NO' and COMMISSIONER SCHILLER voting 'YES,' the Court approved such implementation of House Bill 136 Codified in Tax Code Section 11.261 and authorized the notification of such action to the Director of the Bell County Tax Appraisal Office.    
  
  
  
  

6. Agenda #6 - Order Concerning Issuance of Bell County Limited Tax Notes, Series 2004

• MINUTE ORDER #203/04:   JUDGE BURROWS presented the matter of the adoption of an Order authorizing the issuance of Bell County, Texas, Limited Tax Notes, Series 2004 in an amount not to exceed $30,000,000.00; and authorizing the levy of an ad valorem tax; authorizing the Paying Agent/Registrar Agreement; and authorizing other matters related to the issuance of such Notes.  JUDGE BURROWS explained that such notes were being issued for the acquisition of property to construct a new District Court's building and the renovation of the old District Court's building for use by the Sheriff's Department.  Mr. Gary Kimball, the County's financial advisor spoke to this issue.  Mr. John Gallagan spoke against the issuance of such notes.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, the Court unanimously authorized JUDGE BURROWS to execute the necessary documents for the issuance of such Tax Notes.     
  
  
  
  

7. Agenda #7 - Exercising Option to Acquire Land for Law Enforcement Complex

• MINUTE ORDER #204/04:  JUDGE BURROWS presented the matter of approval to exercise the option with the Development Corporation of Belton to purchase a 75.96 acre tract of land located on Loop 121 and south of Huey Road in Belton, Bell County, Texas, to build a new District Court's building.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER SCHILLER, the Court unanimously authorized JUDGE BURROWS to execute such option to acquire  75.96 acre tract of land located on Loop 121 and South of Huey Road in Belton, Bell County, Texas.      
  
  
  
  

8. Agenda #8 - Claims
   

• MINUTE ORDER #205/04:  The County Auditor presented all claims for the review of the Court.  After proper review, upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously approved all such claims.  All according to a copy of the same being of record in the office of the County Auditor. 
  
  
  (The Court then went into workshop session to discuss those items on the workshop agenda with no action being taken on any item.) 
  
  
  (Further, at 1:15 p.m. the Court heard the budget request of the Temple and Killeen H.E.L.P. Centers.  The Court recessed its meeting until nine a.m. on June 22, 2004 and with all members afore mentioned present in open Court, the following transpired, to-with:  The Court heard the budget requests of the following individuals.  District Attorney Henry Garza; Justice of the Peace, Precinct #1 Ted Duffield; and Mr. Ned Roehrig, Information Systems.)



          There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.