Bell County commissioners approve consent items, replat, meeting schedule change and appointments

Bell County Commissioners Court on Jan. 21 approved its consent agenda, a one-lot replat in Precinct 1, a trial change to the court’s regular meeting schedule and related rules, and appointments to multiple county boards and committees.

The consent agenda—described by the presiding officer as routine—included approval of previous meeting minutes, personnel budget amendments, accounts payable and payroll items (including juror pay and restitution), and one departmental submission: the district attorney’s office request to use forfeiture funds to provide a supplement for an existing employee not to exceed $2,225 annually, including benefits. The court approved the consent agenda on a motion by Commissioner Woodson, seconded by Commissioner Russell Schneider. The court conducted the approvals by voice vote; no opposed votes or abstentions were announced.

The court also approved a replat of Parr Place, a 0.485-acre, one-lot subdivision in Bell County Precinct 1, located north of Sparta Road and Water Works Road and south of Belton Lake. County staff (identified in the record as Ronald) said the parcel contains an existing house and a shed; the house sits about 9 feet from the property line and the shed about 6 feet from the property line. The plat shows a 40-foot right-of-way, septic approval, and no FEMA floodplain on the property. The water provider was listed in the presentation as “4 39 water supply.” Because the structures predate current setback requirements, staff recommended granting a variance to allow the lot combination; Commissioner Schneider moved approval, seconded by Commissioner Whitson, and the court approved the replat.

The court voted to amend its meeting calendar on a trial basis to meet on the first and third Mondays through June, beginning Feb. 3, 2025, a change the presiding officer said was intended to test whether the new schedule improves staff efficiency. Commissioner Greg Reynolds and others discussed that workshops would continue to be available by call if needed and that the agenda submission deadline would remain Tuesday at noon. The motion to amend the meeting calendar was made by Commissioner Snyder and seconded by Commissioner Reynolds; the court approved the change.

To align rules with the amended calendar the court approved a proposed modification to the Rules of Procedure, Conduct and Decorum: paragraph 3 was revised to reflect the first-and-third-Monday schedule and to note the court may meet at the call of the presiding officer. Commissioner Whitson moved the change and Commissioner Russell Schneider seconded; the court approved the rules update.

Finally, the court confirmed a set of appointments and reappointments to county boards and committees effective Jan. 21, 2025. The list read into the record named commissioner representatives to multiple entities, including Temple Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (Commissioner Greg Reynolds), Temple Economic Development Corporation (Commissioner Greg Reynolds), Belton Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (the presiding officer and Commissioner Russell Schneider), Nolanville Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (Commissioner Whitson and Commissioner Schneider), Hill Country Community Action Association (the presiding officer and Commissioner Greg Reynolds), Hill Country Transit District (Commissioner Minor), Bell County Public Health District (Commissioner Minor as alternate for Commissioner Whitson), Temple and Killeen Community Clinics Advisory Committee (Commissioner Snyder and Commissioner Minor), Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization (Commissioner Reynolds as proxy for Commissioner Whitson), Bell County debt/veil bond board liaison (Commissioner Reynolds), Bell County Expo Board court liaison (Commissioner Whitson), Bell County Museum Board Nominating Committee (Commissioner Reynolds), Temporary Emergency Relief Fund Board (the presiding officer), and Diversion Center Advisory Committee (Commissioner Snyder and the director of contract management, Jeff). A motion to approve the appointments was made by Commissioner Reynolds and seconded by Commissioner Snyder; the court approved the slate.

During discussion of the calendar and rules change, several commissioners emphasized the decision was a trial meant to preserve staff time, not to reduce public access. The presiding officer and other commissioners said special meetings or workshops could be called as needed and urged residents to contact commissioners directly with concerns. The regular meeting adjourned; the court scheduled a staff workshop five minutes after adjournment.