Bell County Commissioners approve ballot measure for new Emergency Services District, road restriction and several local actions

Bell County Commissioners Court on July 22 voted to accept a certified petition to create "Bell County Emergency Services District Number 2" and fixed the district boundaries as shown in the petition, the presiding official said. The court then voted to place the measure on the Nov. 5, 2024 general election ballot for residents inside the proposed boundary.

The court unanimously approved multiple other items on the agenda. Commissioners adopted a no-through-trucks restriction on Firefly Road in Precinct 4 — a roughly 2.6-mile stretch from Stillman Valley Road south to the Williamson County line — with a $200 fine for violations and exemptions for deliveries, school buses and emergency vehicles. County engineer staff said signs will be installed at the route ends and possibly an intermediate location.

The court approved the final plat for Harbor Subdivision 2, a one-lot, 5.119-acre parcel with access from Lineman Road in Precinct 1. County engineering staff described right-of-way and easement dedications, including an 11-foot dedication and a 25-foot building setback.

On interagency health services, commissioners authorized the county judge to enter a memorandum of understanding with Central County Services to pursue reimbursement through the Takumi program for up to a 90-day supply of medication for individuals returned from state hospitals after competency restoration (46B commitments). Paula McIntosh of Central County Services told the court the funding pool available to LMHA partners may be as much as $500,000 and described the reimbursement process; county staff agreed to follow up on billing details and eligibility before implementation.

The court also approved routine consent items and appointed Commissioner Bill Schuman as the county representative to the Bell County Museum Board of Trustees’ nominating committee.

Votes at a glance

- Grant petition and fix boundaries for Bell County Emergency Services District No. 2 — Motion: Commissioner Schuman; Second: Commissioner Whitson; Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Call general election for proposed district (Nov. 5, 2024) — Motion: Commissioner Schuman; Second: Commissioner Whitson; Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve no-through-trucks route on Firefly Road (Precinct 4) with $200 fine (exemptions for local stops, school buses, emergency vehicles) — Motion: Commissioner Minor; Second: Commissioner Mason; Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approve final plat, Harbor Subdivision 2 (one lot, ~5.119 acres) — Motion: Commissioner Snyder; Second: Commissioner Whitson; Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Authorize county judge to enter MOU with Central County Services for medication reimbursement (up to 90-day supply for 46B commitments) — Motion: Commissioner Schumann; Second: Commissioner Schneider; Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Appoint Commissioner Bill Schuman as county representative to the Bell County Museum nominating committee — Motion: Commissioner Snyder; Second: Commissioner Woodson; Outcome: approved (voice vote).

What happens next

The petition to form Emergency Services District No. 2 will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot for voters in the mapped area. County staff will proceed with signage and initial enforcement planning for Firefly Road and follow up with Central County Services and Turnkey (the jail health services vendor referenced in the meeting) to clarify billing and request procedures for medication reimbursement.

(Reporting based on court proceedings and unanimous voice votes as recorded in the July 22, 2024 Commissioners Court transcript.)