About Us - Roles & Responsibilities

About Us - Roles & Responsibilities

The County Engineer in Bell County

In 1948, the residents of Bell County adopted what is called "The Optional Road Law of 1947." (Article 6716-1 Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). The first engineer was hired in 1954 and his duties were limited to writing specifications, drawing up plans, estimates, inventories, surveying, etc. The Commissioners still retained direct supervision of the County's road and bridge employees. In the early 1960's, the County created two crews that operated County-wide. These were the Bridge and Asphalt Crews. Both of these crews required specialized personnel and equipment and could be more efficiently utilized on a County-wide basis. By 1980, these two crews had been joined by a Gradall crew, and the Engineer had been given authority to hire all personnel, perform road planning, keep records and implement the Commissioners' Court approved Work Plan. Daily supervision of all work activities was also delegated to the Engineer. However, there were still four (4) Precinct Crews, operating out of facilities scattered throughout the County. In 1982, the Engineer and Commissioners' Court, with the cooperation of the Road and Bridge employees, reorganized into the organization we have today (with minor changes). Employees still reported to one of seven "barns."

The County Engineer and Centralized Road & Bridge Department Today
In 2008, the County Engineer's Office is authorized eight (8) personnel; the Road & Bridge Department, 82 personnel (See Organizational Chart). All Road & Bridge employees report to one, centralized location at 702 W. Avenue O, in Belton. We are responsible for the maintenance of approximately 900 miles of road (Bell County Road Mileage) and 146 bridge-sized structures. The Engineer's Office is also responsible for processing all work orders; engineering and identification of road right of ways for projects; subdivision plat review and inspection of improvements; administration of the Flood Plain Management program; the Storm Water Management Program; and utility installation permits and inspections. In conjunction with the Commissioners' Court, the Annual Work Plan is developed and approved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1. How does a road become County maintained?
The majority of County-maintained roads have been obtained through prescriptive easement or historic usage. That is, because the public has used a road for a number of years and the County has performed routine maintenance on that road, it has "official" status. (It is not uncommon for landowners to find that their property corners are located in the center of a long-existing road.) The Commissioners' Court, on its own motion, can establish a public road or can do so in response to a request from the proper number of property owners. Finally, there is by dedication and acceptance. This most commonly occurs during the platting of subdivisions. The Commissioners' Court must accept a dedicated road for maintenance before it becomes part of the public system of roadways.

2. If the property I am paying taxes on includes a portion of a road right of way, how can I give the County the right of way?
Generally, you will need to provide a field note description (prepared by a licensed surveyor) or plat which shows the dimensions of the property in use as right of way. Present this to the County Engineer's Office and they will take your request to the Commissioners' Court for acceptance. It will then go to the Tax Office to be removed from your taxable acreage.

3. How can I get my road maintained by the County?
This is one of the more difficult questions to answer, and the Commissioners' Court has wrestled over this issue for many years. It all depends on when your road came into being. The "magic date" is June 10, 1974. Prior to this date, the Commissioners' Court accepted subdivision roads that were not paved so long as they met certain minimum criteria or specifications. After this date, all new subdivision roads accepted by the Court had to be constructed to certain minimum design specifications, as well as be paved. So, if your road came into being before this date, we have a process that is spelled out in the below mentioned policy that requires landowners to provide certain things and pay for materials, and in return, the County will perform certain work to include paving. Alternatively, if your road came into being after June 10, 1974, you may be required to do much more. The process is spelled out in the Bell County Policy: Acceptance of Roads for County Maintenance (2007 Revision), which is available at this website.

4. Does Bell County require building permits and is there "zoning" in the unincorporated areas of the County?
The answer to both of these questions is "No." If you are building in the unincorporated areas of the County (that is, you are not located within any of the cities located in Bell County) there is no building permit, building code or zoning with which you must comply. However, there are rules that are enforced by the Bell County Health District regarding on-site sewage systems, their size, location and distances from property lines, wells and public water lines. When you apply for an on-site sewage permit from the Health District you will be asked to fill out a "Flood Plain Exemption Certificate." This Certificate will be sent to the County Engineer's Office for review to insure that you are not building in the flood plain. (See #5 below)

5. Can I build my home in the Flood Plain?
Though building in the flood plain is discouraged, it is possible provided certain minimum elevations are obtained and you are not in what is termed the "flood way." Bell County does not permit any development in the "flood way." If you want to see the Flood Plain maps (Flood Insurance Rate Map), you may to the County Engineer's Office. You may also go to FEMA (http://fema.gov/hazard/map/index.shtm).

6. How can I get a driveway pipe/culvert installed?
If you are moving into the county and find you need a driveway culvert, you may contact the County Engineer's Office at (254) 933-5275. Tell them you want a driveway culvert installed. They will ask you for the address or location, and ask you to mark the exact location at which you want the pipe. We will send someone out to determine the correct size and this information will be forwarded to you. You are responsible for obtaining the properly sized pipe of culvert. Once you have the pipe on site, you will need to notify this office and we will schedule the installation. The County will place gravel over the culvert and up to the property line. We will not go beyond the property line with gravel. If you want a paved driveway, you will have to arrange for that on your own using contractors in the area.

7. I have water standing in the ditch in front of my property; what can the County do?
You need to call the Engineer's Office at (254) 933-5275 and explain the problem, give them the address and location. We will send someone out to review the situation. If we can solve the problem by working in the County's right of way, we will, when it can be scheduled and weather/conditions permitting. If the problem is outside the right of way, on private property, we are limited as to our ability to respond. We may perform limited work outside of our right of way if there is a clear danger that the road may be damaged. We cannot, however, go on to private property to perform work that benefits only one, or a few landowners/homeowners. There has to be a public benefit.

8. Is there a County landfill?
No. The County no longer operates a landfill. The only operational landfill in Bell County is the City of Temple landfill. You should call them to get the specifics regarding acceptance of waste and costs. The location is 706 Landfill Road, Temple. The telephone number is (254) 778-6292. The City of Killeen operates a transfer station located south of town on SH 195. The telephone number is (254) 634-7648.

9. How do I know if my road is maintained by the County?
First of all, nearly all County-maintained roads are named. State-maintained roads are numbered. All County-maintained roads should be identified by a green and white sign. If you are on a privately-maintained road, there should be a blue and white sign. If you are in doubt, call the County Engineer's Office at (254) 933-5275. We maintain an up-to-date listing of all County-maintained roads and privately- maintained roads.

10. Who do I call if I think a Stop sign or speed limit is needed on a road?
You need to call the County Engineer's Office at (254) 933-5275. We will perform a traffic analysis or speed study and, if warranted, the proper traffic control device will be installed after conducting the required public hearing and approval of the Commissioners' Court. If the road is a State-maintained road, you will have to contact the Texas Department of Transportation, Belton Area Office, at (254) 939-3778.

11. If I notice that there is a particular section of county road or intersection at which there are numerous accidents, who should I call to try and correct the problem?
Again, the County Engineer's Office is the correct place to call at (254) 933-5275.

12. If I notice that a traffic control or street name sign is missing, who should I call?
Again, call the County Engineer's Office at (254) 933-5275. If you notice the problem on a weekend or holiday, or after normal business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays), please call the Bell County Sheriff's Office at (254) 933-5400 or the 9-1-1 Communications Center.

13. I want to sell of a piece of my property, what do I need to do?
First, look at the County's Subdivision Regulations located on this website. If your question isn't answered there, or if you are confused by what you read, please call the County Engineer's Office at (254) 933-5275.

14. Illegal Dumping?
The dumping of tires and trash in the County right of way is illegal - whether or not there is a "NO DUMPING" sign. If you see a pile of trash or tires in the right of way, please notify the County Engineer's Office at (254) 933-5275. We will try to determine the culprit, notify the Sheriff's Office, and remove the trash or tires. Please note that we cannot remove trash from private property. We are prohibited by law from performing work on private property.

15. If I have property on which someone has collected old tires, what can I do with them?
The County has committed to conducting waste tire collection events. In 2007, there were two such events: Heidenheimer and Belton. In 2008, there will probably be two more. One in Killeen, in April, and another on the east side of the County, probably in Heidenheimer, in the Fall. More events will be conducted and you can find out when and where by calling the County Engineer's Office or your County Commissioner.

16. Fighting Fires?
If you think that you observed Road and Bridge vehicles and equipment at the site of a grass or range fire, you probably did! Road and Bridge personnel and equipment are available to help fight or contain grass/range fires in the County when requested by the County Fire Marshall. Our personnel who may be called upon to help in these events have received training from the Forest Service.

17. Dead animals in the roadway?
If you observe a dead animal in the roadway please contact the County Engineer's Office at (254) 933-5275. We will try to get the carcass removed the same day. Please note that we do not perform this service on weekends or holidays, or after normal work hours. Don't wait any longer than necessary to report the body. You can't imagine how foul dead animals can become after only a few hours. When they have become bloated, it may be necessary to bring out equipment to pick them up and bury them.

18. Water Pollution? Illicit Discharges?
If you observe the discharge of water, oil, paint, etc., into the road ditches, streams, or any other body of water in the County please call the County Engineer's Office at (254) 933-5275. We will investigate and report and such discharge to the appropriate authority: the Bell County Health District or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The County has no enforcement authority in such events and if we cannot obtain voluntary clean up and compliance with known regulations, it will be reported to those who can enforce the environmental laws.