Bell County Commissioners appoint seven members to county Historical Commission

The Bell County Commissioners Court approved seven appointments to the Bell County Historical Commission at its meeting on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.

Daniel Elder, chair of the county historical commission, presented the nominating committee’s recommendations and said the commission “must be composed of at least 7 residents of the county.” He told commissioners the commission’s membership should broadly reflect the county’s age, ethnic and geographic diversity and described steps the commission took last term to reduce barriers to participation and increase outreach.

The court approved the following recommended appointees for the 2025–2026 term: Daniel Elder (county chair), Emily Smith (cemetery chairperson), Anita Fuller (treasurer), Keith George (vice chair), Chris George (member at large), Sandy Mason (one of the chairpersons), and Kimberly Tompkin (treasurer). The motion to approve was made by Commissioner Whitson and seconded by Commissioner Snyder; the court indicated unanimous approval with no opposition or abstentions recorded.

Elder told the court the commission moved meetings around the county last term, holding monthly meetings in Killeen and Temple and increasing to 12 meetings a year to boost engagement. He also said the commission helped reestablish a local historical society that had lapsed during the pandemic, including providing a small grant to support that volunteer association.

Commissioners said they would receive the commission’s annual report in a future meeting and that Elder and other commission members present would be recognized for their work.