Bell County Commissioners Court approved the official bonds required by state law and completed a series of organizational actions during a Jan. 2, 2025 meeting held in conjunction with a swearing‑in ceremony for newly elected and reelected county officials.

The court approved the filing of bonds for officials who were then administered oaths of office and sworn into their positions. The court also approved a consent agenda that included a not‑to‑exceed $301,067.56 contract for repairs at Cadence Bank Center and a license allowing Bell County to operate a vehicle registration office at Fort Cavazos. The court reappointed Mark McGraw and Toby Hatton and appointed Jeff Kelly to Bell County Emergency Services District No. 1 (ESD No. 1). A planned appointment for the county facilities director was tabled until a meeting before Feb. 4, 2025.

County Judge Blackburn opened the session by calling the regular meeting to order and explaining that state law requires bonds be posted before newly elected officials are sworn. Commissioner Russell Schneider moved to approve the official bonds; Commissioner (first name not specified in the transcript) Whitson made the motion and Commissioner Snyder seconded it. The court voted aloud; the clerk recorded the motion as carried.

The consent agenda, approved by motion of Commissioner Snyder and seconded by Commissioner Woodson, included seven items. Among them were: authorization for the county judge to enter a contract with Cotton Commercial USA doing business as Target Solutions under Texas Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) cooperative contract No. 23010402 for repair and replacement of paneling, carpet, flooring and insulation at the Cadence Bank Center Assembly Hall and administrative offices at a not‑to‑exceed cost of $301,067.56 funded by insurance reimbursement proceeds; award of IFB 2025 pavement marking and raised pavement markers to DIJ Construction for the road and bridge department; and receipt for filing of the Bell County Tax Assessor‑Collector Shay Luedeke’s certificate of continuing education for calendar year 2024, cited in the meeting as related to “Senate Bill 546, section 6.231(g) of the Texas Property Tax Code.” The court approved the consent agenda by voice vote; no opposing votes were recorded.

On appointments to the Bell County Emergency Services District No. 1, Commissioner Whitson moved to reappoint Mark McGraw and Toby Hatton for two‑year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2025 and ending Dec. 31, 2026; Commissioner Snyder seconded the motion and the court approved it by voice vote. Commissioner Woodson moved to appoint Jeff Kelly to ESD No. 1 for the same two‑year term; Commissioner Greg Reynolds seconded that motion and the court approved it by voice vote.

The court took up the county facilities director item after noting the prior facilities director, Mike Guthrie, retired Dec. 6, 2024. Commissioner Russell Schneider moved to table the appointment; Commissioner Whitson seconded the motion. The court voted to table the item and indicated the matter will be placed on an agenda for a meeting prior to the candidate’s intended start date of Feb. 4, 2025.

The meeting included a public swearing‑in ceremony that followed the bond approvals. County Judge Blackburn administered or recognized authorized persons to administer oaths to a slate of officials whose names were read aloud and who then repeated the oath. Officials sworn at the ceremony included, among others, County Commissioner Russell Schneider (Precinct 1); County Commissioner Greg Reynolds (Precinct 3); County Attorney Jim Nichols; District Judges Deborah Allison Garrett (27th Judicial District) and Stephen J. Veske (426th Judicial District); Tax Assessor‑Collector Shay Luedeke; constables Patricia A. Duffield (Precinct 1), Chris Bazar (Precinct 2), Devin Rosenthal (Precinct 3) and Martha Dominguez (Precinct 4); justice of the peace judges including Roseanne Fisher (Precinct 3, Place 1) and Gregory Johnson (Precinct 4, Place 1); and Sheriff William “Bill” Cook.

Sheriff William Bill Cook, after being sworn by Judge Cliff Coleman, addressed the assembly and thanked family, law enforcement partners and county leaders. He said, “there’s a new sheriff in town,” and described plans to emphasize collaboration across federal, state and local agencies. A county representative reminded those sworn to complete related paperwork with county staff after the ceremony.

The court recessed for photographs and concluded the regular agenda by adjourning and announcing a staff workshop to follow.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of official bonds: Motion by Commissioner Whitson; second by Commissioner Snyder; outcome: approved by voice vote (recorded as aye; no opposed or abstentions recorded).
- Consent agenda (7 items including the Target Solutions contract and IFB 2025 awards): Motion by Commissioner Snyder; second by Commissioner Woodson; outcome: approved by voice vote (recorded as aye; no opposed or abstentions recorded).
- Item 6a — Reappointment of Mark McGraw and Toby Hatton to ESD No. 1 (two‑year terms starting 01/01/2025–12/31/2026): Motion by Commissioner Whitson; second by Commissioner Snyder; outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Item 6b — Appointment of Jeff Kelly to ESD No. 1 (01/01/2025–12/31/2026): Motion by Commissioner Woodson; second by Commissioner Greg Reynolds; outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Item 6c — Appointment of Bell County facilities director: Motion to table by Commissioner Russell Schneider; second by Commissioner Whitson; outcome: tabled. The court said the item will be placed on a meeting agenda before Feb. 4, 2025.

No votes to adopt ordinances, resolutions or budget items beyond budget amendments associated with the approved consent items were recorded in the transcript.