IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF

BELL COUNTY, TEXAS

August 15, 2005

AFTER proper posting of public notice, a copy of which is attached hereto, on this the 15th day of August, 2005, 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 #336/05:  It being nine a.m., JUDGE JON H. BURROWS, called the meeting to order and called to the Courts attention the fact that they had received the minutes of August 08, 2005.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER FISHER, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the minutes were approved as corrected.   
  
  
  
  

2. Agenda #2a - Abandonment/Vacation of Patterson Crossing Road

• MINUTE ORDER #337/05:  Richard Macchi, County Engineer, presented the matter for approval of closing Patterson Crossing Road.  Property owner Susan and Ted Eddens expressed their concerns if the road remains open.  Former County Commissioner Jack Oliver also gave his opinion for closing Patterson Crossing Road.  Commissioner Brown mentioned that he had spoke with the Salado Fire Chief and they were aware of the situation of the closing.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER FISHER, the Court unanimously approved the closing of Patterson Crossing Road. 
  
  
  
  

3. Agenda #2b - Elm Creek Water Supply Corporation

• MINUTE ORDER #338/05:  Richard Macchi, County Engineer, presented the matter of payment of $3,800.00 to Elm Creek Water Supply Corporation for engineering fees related to the relocation of water line on the Dove and Brewster Creek Road Improvement Projects.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER LANGE, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved to pay fee of $3,800.00 to Elm Creek Water Supply. 
  
  
  
  

4. Agenda #2c - Purchase of a 24' Tractor-Mounted Brush Cutter

• MINUTE ORDER #339/05:  Richard Macchi, County Engineer, presented the matter of purchasing a 24' Tractor-Mounted Brush Cutter through H.G.A.C. at a cost of $89,102.79.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER CORTESE, seconded by COMMISSIONER LANGE, the Court unanimously approved to purchase the 24' Tractor-Mounted Brush Cutter.
  
  
  
  

5. Agenda #2d - Awarding bid for the Purchase of HFRS-2 and MC30

• MINUTE ORDER #340/05:  Richard Macchi, County Engineer, presented the matter of awarding bid for the purchase of HFRS-2 and MC30.  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER CORTESE, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved to award bid to Ergon Asphalt Products for HFRS-2, in the amount of $0.98 per gallon, and to Cleveland Asphalt for MC-30, in the amount of $2.092 per gallon. 
  
  
  
  

6. Agenda #3 - Personnel

• MINUTE ORDER #341/05:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER FISHER, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved all employee status report forms, the same being attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.  
  
  
  
  

7. Agenda #4 - Preliminary Budget Discussion

• MINUTE ORDER #342/05:  Judge Jon. H. Burrows, County Judge presented the 2005-2006 proposed Budgets.  He also spoke of allocations required for unfunded mandates from the State Legislature, and adoption of proposed tax rate for notice of public hearing purposes.  The date presented for the presentation of the budget and public hearing on the budget is August 29, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners' Courtroom.  The proposed tax rate is $0.3465 per $100 dollar valuation for Bell County "General Fund" and $0.0295 per $100 for Road District tax, for a total of $0.376 per $100 valuation, with the first public hearing on the tax rate being August 29, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners' Courtroom.  The second public hearing on the tax rate will be September 02, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. at the same location.  The date for approval of the budget and tax rates will be September 12, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioners' Courtroom.  On motion of COMMISSIONER CORTESE, seconded by COMMISSIONER LANGE, the Court unanimously approved the adoption of the proposed tax rates, the proposed dates for presentation and approval of the budget and tax rates, and the dates for the public hearings on the budget and tax rates.  
  
  
  
  

8. Agenda #5 - Claims

• MINUTE ORDER #343/05:  Judge Jon H. Burrows, County Judge presented the claims for review to the Court.  After proper review, upon the 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.)



          There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.