HH Kiwanis Club Meeting

Speaker: Bobby Whitson, Bell County Commissioner, Pct 2

Topic: Bell County Commissioner Duties - The Statutory duties and responsibilities of county officials in Texas are numerous. County government's principal focus is on the judicial system, health and social service delivery, law enforcement, and road construction. The Commissioners Court is the governing body of the county. The Texas Constitution specifies that the court consists of a county judge and four county commissioners elected by the qualified voters of individual commissioners' precincts. Many state administrative responsibilities rest with the court. The Commissioners Court serves as both the legislative and executive branches of county government and has budgetary authority over all county departments, including those headed by other elected officials. One of the biggest topics currently in Bell County is the data center to be built in the Temple area. The Governor has put a pause on new data centers in Texas. Data centers must disclose their plans to: pay their own way, provide their own power, reuse their own water, reduce the cost of electricity & avoid disturbing neighborhoods. Much research has been done by the commissioner to make the best decisions for the county. They weigh ever negative and positive scenario about having a data center in the county. Rowan Digital says it will work with the community. Commissioners will keep on top of the project. Watch the news for more updates