IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF

BELL COUNTY, TEXAS

December 22, 2008

AFTER proper posting of public notice, a copy of which is attached hereto, on this the 22nd day of December, 2008, 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 #556/08:  County Judge Jon Burrows called to the Courts attention that the minutes of December 15, 2008, 9:00 a.m. regular session and 9:30 a.m. special session had been received.  After due discussion, these minutes were approved as presented.
  
  
  
  

2. Agenda #2a - County Engineer

• MINUTE ORDER #557/08:   County Judge John Burrows  opened a public hearing at 9:07 a.m. to consider approval of installing a STOP sign at the intersection of Brett Lane and Bridget Drive.  There being no public comments, the hearing was closed.  After due discussion, upon motion by Commissioner John Fisher, second by Commissioner Richard Cortese, the Court unanimously approved this matter.
      
  
  
  

3. Agenda #2b - County Engineer

• MINUTE ORDER #558/08:   County Engineer Richard Macchi presented for approval a request of the Corps of Engineers for a renewal of the Outgrant on Tract F-527, Belton Lake Project.  After due discussion, upon motion by Commissioner Richard Cortese, second by Commissioner Tim Brown, the Court unanimously approved this matter. 
      
  
  
  

4. Agenda #3 - Personnel

   • MINUTE ORDER #559/08:    Upon motion by Commissioner Eddy Lange, second by Commissioner John Fisher, the Court unanimously approved all employee status report forms, the same being attached hereto and made part of these minutes.
     
     
     
     

5. Agenda #4 - Order Restricting Outdoor Burning

   • MINUTE ORDER #560/08:    County Judge Jon Burrows presented for approval the matter of the termination, modification, or continuation of the Order Restricting Outdoor Burning - Burn Ban set to expire on December 22, 2008.  After due discussion, upon motion by Commissioner Richard Cortese, second by Commissioner John Fisher, the Court approved a new Order Restricting Outdoor Burning effective December 22, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. through January 26, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.
     
     
     

6. Agenda #5 - Swearing In Ceremony for New Elected and Re-Elected Officials

• MINUTE ORDER #561/08:   County Judge Jon Burrows announced the Swearing In Ceremony for newly elected and re-elected Officials to be Friday, January 2, 2009, 10:00 a.m., in the 146th District Courtroom, Bell County Justice Center, Loop 121, Belton, Texas.  The Court took no action on this matter.
      
  
  
  

7. Agenda #6 - Oath of Office by Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

• MINUTE ORDER #562/08:   County Judge Jon Burrows announced that at the Swearing In Ceremony, Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson will give the Oath of Office to the following:
  A.    State Officials:
          1.  27th District Judge Joe Carroll
          2.  146th District Judge Rick Morris
          3.  426th District Judge Fancy Jezek
          4.  District Attorney Henry Garza
  B.    County Officials:
          1.  County Commissioner, Precinct 1 - Richard Cortese
          2.  County Commissioner, Precinct 3 - Eddy Lange
          3.  County Attorney Rick Miller
          4.  Sheriff Dan Smith
          5.  Tax Assessor/Collector Sharon Long
          6.  Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 1 - David Barfield
          7.  Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Place 1 - Garland Potvin
          8.  Constable, Precinct 1 - Luis Cortez
          9.  Constable, Precinct 2 - Roger Laird
          10.Constable, Precinct 3 - Thomas Prado
          11.Constable, Precinct 4 - Edd Melton, III
  The Court took no action on this matter.
  
  
  
  

8. Agenda #7 - Open House for New Jail Addition

• MINUTE ORDER #563/08:   County Judge Jon Burrows re-announced the Open House for the new Jail Addition to be Saturday, January 17, 2009, from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Jail Site on Loop 121, in Belton, Texas.  No action taken.
      
  
  
  

9. Agenda #8 - Claims

   • MINUTE ORDER #564/08:   County Judge Jon Burrows presented the claims for review to the Court.  After proper review, upon motion by Commissioner Tim Brown, second by Commissioner Richard 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.