Court approves consent agenda, $10K recycling grant, pretrial grant application and interim fire‑marshal MOU

Bell County Commissioners Court completed several routine approvals Oct. 28, including the consent agenda, a $10,000 solid‑waste recycling grant, a resolution to submit a FY25 pretrial formula grant application and an interim memorandum of understanding to provide criminal fire investigation services for Bell County Emergency Services District No. 1.

Consent agenda: The court presented six routine consent items including approval of minutes from Oct. 21, 2024; personnel and budget amendments; claims (accounts payable, payroll, restitution and juror pay); authorization for a Target Solutions cooperative contract (2301042) for roof, carpet and ceiling repair at the Temple CSCB at a not‑to‑exceed cost of $99,638.21 with associated budget amendments from insurance proceeds related to storm damage; final budget amendments for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024; and reclassification of two assistant‑to‑judge positions to court coordinator classifications at a total cost of $10,296. Commissioner Whitson moved approval and Commissioner Schuman seconded; the voice vote recorded ayes and the motion carried.

Solid waste grant and recycling event: The court authorized the county judge to accept a FY25 solid waste grant and enter an interlocal agreement with the Central Texas Council of Governments (CTCOG) for $10,000. Staff (Kylie) said the grant passes through CTCOG from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and will fund consulting/contracting for a single‑day scrap tire recycling event tentatively scheduled for March 14, 2025. Staff said the county frequently receives Farm Bureau support for these events and that the program accepts large tractor and truck tires.

Pretrial formula grant: The court approved a resolution to submit a FY25 formula grant application to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission to provide financial and technical support to the county\'s pretrial services department. Kylie said the formula amount is unknown at the time of application; last year\'s award was about $158,000. A motion to approve was made by Commissioner Whitson and seconded by Commissioner Sheehan; the court recorded a voice vote (ayes) and the motion carried.

Fire marshal MOU: The court authorized an interim memorandum of understanding between Bell County and Bell County Emergency Services District No. 1 to allow the Bell County Fire Marshal\'s Office to perform criminal fire investigations while the district\'s newly hired marshal completes required arson investigator certifications (estimated 30–60 days). County officials said the MOU is intended as a short‑term measure so criminal investigations and any related filings proceed without interruption. Commissioner Schneider moved and Commissioner Whitson seconded; voice vote recorded ayes and the motion carried.

The court then adjourned the regular meeting and transitioned to a staff workshop.