Bell County

Bell County Offices

Bell County Town List

Central Texas hosts Bell County. Bell County was founded in 1850. The County was named after the third governor of Texas State named Peter Hansborough. 

Bell County provides residents and visitors with almost everything. It’s a fantastic place due to its unique landscape, vibrant city culture, beautiful amenities, and unique small-town sparkle. 

Belton remains the official county seat of Bell County, Texas, USA. 

The population of the County stands at 362924 as per the July 2019 censors. Also, Bell County covers an estimated area of 1088 square miles. The Balcones Escarpment passes through the middle of the County, dividing it into regions. 

More interestingly, The Bell County habitat provides an excellent environment for numerous wild species to thrive. Wild animals found in the County’s natural habitat include wolves, bears, antelopes, wild turkeys, wild horses, ducks, wild hogs, alligators, and wild gooses.  

History of Bell County, Texas 

Humans have occupied Bell County since 6000 BC. The history of the County states that the authorities curved Bell County from Milam County in 1850. Then, the county commissioners chose Nolandsville, found on the banks of Nolan Creek, as the official county seat.  

In 1852, the authorities changed the name of the town from Nolensville to Belton. Hence Belton marked its incorporation as the official seat of Bell County, Texas. 

Bell County has enjoyed a history of economic prosperity in its formative years. As a result, Belton’s pioneer settlers grew rich and became prosperous until the intervention of the Civil War. 

The Civil War marked the beginning of Belton’s settlers’ untold suffering. It ignited a phase of misery to the once-prosperous population. 

Belton’s population in its formative years stood at 600 white settlers and 60 black slaves. Also, Belton endured its last Indian attacks in 1859. 

Notably, in 1860, the authorities established the Bell County boundaries as we know them today. 

Bell County Offices 

Belton hosts the Bell County offices that perform various functions aimed at serving residents of the County. The Bell County government provides social services, judicial services, infrastructure construction, and law enforcement. 

The Bell County Government consists of various offices that work closely to serve the citizens. The offices include the County Judge, the Commissioners Court, the County Attorney, the County Clerk, the County Tax Collector, the County Courts, the County Treasurer, and the Sheriff. 

County Judge 

David Blackburn occupies the seat of Bell County Judge. People can reach him through the phone; 254- 933-5105. 

Judge David Blackburn enjoys constitutional powers to preside over judicial and administrative operations of the county government. Furthermore, he chairs the Commissioner’s Court consisting of four other members. 

The Judge hears license applications for beer and wine, state hospital admittance for the mentally sick, purposeful temporary guardianship, and juvenile work permits. 

Furthermore, the Judge conducts elections. In conducting elections, the Judge posts election notices and receives and relays election results. 

The County Judge may also perform marriage rites. 

County Commissioners Court 

Judge David Blackburn, the Bell County Judge, heads this five-member Commissioners Court in Bell County, Texas. The individual commissioner’s precinct voters elect the four commissioners who join the County Judge in the County Commissioners Court.  

The Commissioners Court serves the County Government in both the legislative and executive roles. 

The County Commissioners Court runs the County Government operations in Bell County, Texas. The committee enjoys administrative and budgetary authority in the County government resource allocation. 

Also, the Commissioners Court presides over the judicial system, road construction, social service delivery, health services, and enforcement of the law. 

Other members of the Bell County Commissioners Court:

Russell Schneider 

Bell County Historic Courthouse, 101E. Central Avenue, Belton, Texas 76513. Phone; (254) 933-5101. 

Bobby Whiteson 

Bell County Historic Courthouse, 101E.Central Avenue, Belton, Texas 76513, Phone; (254) 933-5102 

Bill Schumann 

Bell County Historic Courthouse, 101E. Central Avenue, Belton, Texas, phone;(254) 933-5103. 

John Driver 

Bell County Historic Courthouse, 101E. Central Avenue, Belton, Texas, phone (254) 933-5104.  

The County Attorney’s Office 

James.E.Nichol presides over as the Bell County Attorney. The Constitution gives the County Attorneys’ office the authority to investigate and prosecute various cases in his office. 

Residents can reach James.E.Nichol through the address, County Atty Office, P o box 1127, Belton, TX 76513-5121, and phone (254) 933-5135. 

The County Attorney’s office prosecutes adults misdemeanor offenders who commit; 

• Drunk Driving 
• Domestic Violence 
• Car Burglary 
• Animal Abuse Offenses 

Also, the Attorney prosecutes offenders under the age of 17 years for felony offenses that may include theft and murder.  

The Attorney also researches and provides County officials with expert legal opinions touching on issues relating to their work. 

The office of the Attorney conducts special investigations relating to special cases and occurrences in the County. These may include voter fraud and cases relating to prostitution. 

The Office of the County Clerk 

Shelly Coston presides over as the County Clerk in Bell County. Residents who seek Shelly can use the address, 1201 Huey Road, Belton, Texas 76513. 

The County Clerk in Bell remains the designated clerk of the County Commissioners Court and the County Court.  

Also, the clerk handles various duties that include; 

• Recording deeds and other County documents 
• Issuance of Marriage Certificates 
• Taking Depositions 
• Conducting Countywide Elections 
• Presiding over absentee voting

Bell County Courts 

The Constitution establishes County Courts in each of Texas’s 254 Counties. Equally, the law grants Bell County jurisdiction over class “A” and “B” misdemeanor offenses, civil cases with lower monetary amounts, appellate jurisdictions from the lower Municipal Courts. 

Jeanne Parker 

Jeanne Parker occupies the office of the County Courts (The Court at Law 1). Residents can find her using the phone; 254- 933-5705. 

The Court at Law 2 

Judge John Mischtian presides over the County Courts (The Court at Law 2). Residents can reach out to him using the phone; 254- 933-5125.  

The Court at Law 3 

Rebecca DePew serves as the County Court at Law 3. People can find her using the phone; (254) 933-5791. 

Office of the Sheriff 

Eddy Lange serves as the Bell County Sheriff. People can reach out to Eddy Lange at the address, Bell County Sheriff Department, 104S. Main St. Belton, TX 76513. 

As the County Sheriff, Eddy presides over police patrols and investigations. Also, his duties include overseeing the court and the criminal process, securing the courts, and managing the jail system. 

The Office of the Tax Collector 

Shay Luedeke occupies the office of the Tax Collector or Assessor. Residents of Bell County can reach out to him through the phone; 254- 933-5318.  

Qualified voters elect the Tax Collector for a term of four years in office. Additionally, the Tax Collector’s office combines with the Treasurer’s office to form the County Finance Department. 

Shay Luedeke presides over collecting and managing the Bell County Taxes. Other roles and responsibilities of the County Tax Collector include; 

• Assessment of property for taxation purposes 
• Collecting real property and personal taxes  
• Providing Tax Bills 
• Collection of taxes 
• Liaising with other entities to collect due taxes from their jurisdiction 

The County Treasurer 

Gayland Evans leads the team at the office of the County Treasurer. People can reach out to Gayland Evans using the phone; 254-933-5250. 

The office handles the entire County Finance System. Also, it safeguards County finances. The voters of the County elect the County Treasurer to serve for a term of four years. 

The County Treasurer holds detailed and accurate financial records of the County. 

The legislative functions of the County Treasurer’s Office include; 

• County Money Receipt 
• County Money Custodian 
• Disbursing County Finances 

The climate of Bell County, Texas 

Bell County records an average of 35 inches of rainfall in a year. It represents a lower figure compared to the annual US figure of 38 inches. 

Also, it records 0 inches of snow per year compared to the average annual US figure of 28 inches. Bell records an average of 228 sunny days compared to the US figure of 205. Furthermore, the yearly precipitation averages 75 days. 

The Cost of Living in Bell County, Texas 

The average cost of living indices in Bell County, Texas, stands at 81.6, below the average US indices paged at 100. It means residents of Bell County find life a bit cheaper than other US citizens in other states and counties. 

Education in Bell County 

Bell County contains eight schools hosting an estimated 2728 students. Notably, 79.3% of these students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. 

Additionally, the ratio of students to teachers remains at 15:1. while the percentage of students to librarians stands at 1030:1. 

Also, a single counselor serves approximately 876 children. More importantly, the average Bell school expenditure per student stands at $9,373, which remains a lower figure than the average US school expenditure of $12 383 

Health in Bell County 

Teresa Hunter of the email address ([email protected]) occupies the director of the Public Health office in Bell County, Texas. 

The Bell County Health Department aims to promote the health well-being of Bell County residents. Therefore, their primary duty remains to ensure residents are free from health hazards and diseases.  

Also, the Department seeks to prevent prospects of residents getting injuries and disabilities. 

Economic Activities in Bell County 

Bell County hosts seven chambers of commerce. Also, the seven chambers of commerce serve approximately 336,506 people, meaning they average about 48,072 people per chamber of commerce. 

The Texas State ranks Bell County at number 195 out of 254 counties in the chamber of commerce per capital. 

Bell County residents participate in various kinds of economic activities that include;  

• Forestry, hunting, mining, agriculture, and fishing 

•  Hotels, Arts and entertainment 

• Architecture and construction 

• Banking and Finance 

• Public service and administration 

• Information industry 

• Retail and wholesale trade 

Bell County Attraction Centers 

Bell County, just like other counties in the state of Texas, prides itself on unique landscape and natural habitat. Therefore, residents, visitors, and passersby can visit numerous places for site-seeing and entertainment. 

Places to Visit 

•  The Great Escape of Central Texas 

• The Lions Club Aquatic Park 

•  The Summer Fun Water Park 

• Friars Creek Trail 

• The Bell County Museum 

• The Temple Railroad and Heritage 

• Chupacabra Craftbeer and Salado Lone Star Winery

Churches Found in Bell County, Texas 

Bell County in Texas, US hosts numerous churches, cathedrals, and other Christian worship places. Residents, passersby, and visitors in Bell County can sample a couple of churches to attend if they can’t identify their usual denominations. 

The majority of Christians in Bell attend evangelical churches and other world-renowned churches. 

Churches in Bell; 

• Evangelical groupings 
• The Catholic Church 
• The Episcopal Church 
• Seventh-Day Adventists 
• United Methodist Church 
• The Prybesterian Church 
• The Nazarene Church 
• The Assemblies of God 
• The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel