IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF

BELL COUNTY, TEXAS

August 29, 2005

AFTER proper posting of public notice, a copy of which is attached hereto, on this the 29th 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 #349/05:  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 22, 2005.  After due discussion, the minutes were approved as submitted.   
  
  
  
  

2. Agenda #2a  - Presentation from the Texas Associations of Counties of the Bell Award

• MINUTE ORDER #350/05:  Mr. John Payne, field service representative for the Texas Association of Counties presented Bell County with the Bell Award.  This award is presented in recognition of the county's superior long-term record of safety and significant history of savings on workers' compensation costs.  Judge Jon H. Burrows recognized Russell Williams, Auditor's Office; Ron Heuss, Human Resource director; Joe Arnold, survey tech/safety officer for the engineers office; Mark Meyer, Building and Grounds; Shelia Norman, District Clerk; Sharon Long, Tax Assessor; Tammy Arnold, County Clerk (for Vada Sutton); and Jack Meredith, Sheriff's Office for their service and commitment to safety, along with the Bell County employees.  
  
  
  
  

3. Agenda #3 - Recognize Bill Dugas, PhD

• MINUTE ORDER #351/05:  The Commissioners Court of Bell County presented Bill Dugas, PhD, with a certificate of appreciation for his years of service as the Director of the Blackland Research Center, and newly designated Associate Director for Operations, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University, for his service to Bell County, and specifically for his service on the Board of BellNET.  Judge Jon H. Burrows advised for August 29, 2005 as Bill Dugas Day in Bell County.  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER CORTESE, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved August 29, 2005 as Bill Dugas Day.   
  
  
  
  

4. Agenda #4 - Public Hearing for the FY 2005-06 Budget and Tax Rate

• MINUTE ORDER #352/05:  Judge Burrows presented the County's FY 2005-2006 annual budget, and thereafter opened the public hearing on such budget.  He asked if there were any public comments and Mr. Donald Jaszkowski wanted to thank the Commissioners Court for approving the over 65 tax freeze; the public hearing was then closed.  Thereafter, the Court discussed such budget with Judge Burrows reporting that such budget would be approved on September 12, 2005 at 9:00 a.m.  The Court also discussed the tax rates for Bell County needed to cover the budget and the fact that it was their intent to increase the tax rate by one and one-half cents, for a total tax rat of $0.3760.  And, thereafter opened the public meeting on tax rates, he asked if there were any public comments, there being none, the public hearing was closed.   
  
  
  
  

5. Agenda #5 - Engineer

• MINUTE ORDER #353/05:  At this time, there were no issues for discussion.   
  
  
  
  

6. Agenda #6 - Personnel

• MINUTE ORDER #354/05:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER FISHER, the Court unanimously approved all employee status report forms, the same being attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.  
  
  
  
  

7. Agenda #7 - County Indigent Health Care Program

• MINUTE ORDER #355/05:  Rita Kelley, representative with CIHCP presented the report on County Indigent Health Care for the period of September 1, 2004 through July 31, 2005.  After due discussion, upon motion of COMMISSIONER LANGE, seconded by COMMISSIONER CORTESE, the Court unanimously approved the presented report.  All according to the same and being attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.    
  
  
  
  

8. Agenda #8 - Continued Administration of the CIHCP

• MINUTE ORDER #356/05:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER FISHER, the Court unanimously approved the continued administration of the CIHCP according to policies described in the Texas Department of Health Indigent Health Care Program Handbook.   
  
  
  
  

9. Agenda #9 - Optional Health Care Services Notification

• MINUTE ORDER #357/05:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER CORTESE, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved the inclusion of Optional CIHCP services during the State of Texas FY 2003, all according to the same being attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.   
  
  
  
  

10. Agenda #10 - Change Request Numbers 1-4 for Construction/Renovation Project

• MINUTE ORDER #358/05:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER BROWN, seconded by COMMISSIONER FISHER, the Court unanimously approved change order request numbers 1-4 for construction/renovation project at the Bell County Annex in Killeen.  All according to the same being attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.   
  
  
  
  

11. Agenda #11 - Change Order Number 1 for Construction/Renovation Project

• MINUTE ORDER #359/05:  Upon motion of COMMISSIONER LANGE, seconded by COMMISSIONER BROWN, the Court unanimously approved change order request number 1 for construction/renovation project at the Bell County Museum in Belton.  All according to the same being attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.   
  
  
  
  

12. Agenda #12 - Claims

• MINUTE ORDER #360/05:  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.