Send us a text

Commissioner Louie Minor provides a comprehensive look at Bell County's budget planning process and critical decisions affecting taxpayer dollars. He examines major capital projects, emergency services funding, and potential solutions for rising healthcare costs through a proposed hospital district.

• Overview of upcoming Commissioner's Court meetings and agenda items including budget discussions
• Details on the $101 million jail expansion adding 600 beds while facing 52% increase in medical costs
• Examination of the new $9.8 million Killeen Annex opening fall 2026 and plans for a new Temple Annex
• Discussion of Bell County's rapid growth to over 404,000 residents and the strain on county services
• Analysis of the current tax rate and budget requests totaling over $208 million for personnel, equipment, and projects
• Explanation of the disabled veteran tax exemption impact on county revenue
• Proposal for creating a county hospital district to handle indigent healthcare and jail medical costs
• Review of Emergency Service Districts as a solution for rural areas needing better fire and ambulance coverage

Support the show

Send us a text

The delicate dance between local governance and state politics takes center stage in this revealing look at Bell County's current affairs. Commissioner Louie Minor offers a firsthand account of how county issues transform into state legislation—for better and worse.

When Commissioner Minor discovered the Bell County Child Welfare Board was spending thousands on birth certificates for foster children, he transformed this local inefficiency into House Bill 4466. The legislation would eliminate fees for counties requesting birth certificates in child welfare cases, redirecting those funds to essential items for vulnerable kids instead of having "the county paying itself to pay the state." With powerful testimony from Child Welfare Board representatives highlighting how last year's $6,000 expenditure could have purchased clothing, diapers, and school supplies, the bill successfully moved out of committee—a victory for practical governance.

Meanwhile, House Bill 3990 reveals the more polarized side of local-state relations. Filed specifically in response to Commissioner Minor displaying Pride-colored American and Texas flags in his office, the bill would restrict government buildings to displaying only official flags in their original colors. As an Iraq war veteran and the only openly gay county commissioner in Texas, Miner defended his expression rights before skeptical Republican committee members who questioned why statewide legislation was needed for what appears to be a single local dispute.

The episode concludes with a comprehensive breakdown of May 3rd's local election results, including Killeen voters rejecting a $155 million city hall bond proposal while approving the recall of Councilman Michael Boyd. In Harker Heights, newcomers Brian Burt and Jesse Myles secured city council victories, signaling potential shifts in local governance priorities.

Want to get involved in shaping Bell County's future? Commissioner Minor is planning town halls focused on the upcoming budget process. Follow his updates to learn how you can participate in decisions that directly impact your community.

Support the show

Send us a text

Traffic congestion and local education take center stage in this revealing look at Bell County's infrastructure challenges and the future of Killeen ISD. Commissioner Louie Minor pulls back the curtain on the Chaparral Road improvement project, sharing exclusive audio from a Commissioner's Court workshop where officials debate the merits of a $1.2 million investment in traffic signals and turn lanes. The discussion highlights the real-world complexities of local governance as commissioners wrestle with limited funding, engineering requirements, and competing priorities while trying to address intersections currently rated "F" for traffic flow.

The episode then shifts to education with a compelling interview with Lan Carter, candidate for Killeen ISD Board of Trustees. A former teacher and mother of three, Carter brings a unique perspective to the challenges facing the district. She articulates a clear vision for tackling budget waste, improving school safety, and addressing the critical issue of teacher retention in a district serving over 44,000 students. The conversation doesn't shy away from difficult topics, including the recent tragic stabbing at Roy J. Smith Middle School and the district's controversial cell phone policy.

Carter also provides thoughtful responses to pressing education policy questions, including her opposition to school voucher programs that could potentially drain $17 million from Killeen ISD. As she notes, "We need to figure out what can we do to keep teachers within KISD," highlighting her focus on creating better working environments for educators rather than expanding administrative positions.

Whether you're concerned about your daily commute, your child's education, or how your tax dollars are being spent, this episode delivers valuable insights into the decisions that affect Bell County residents. Listen now and be better informed before early voting begins on April 22nd for the important May 3rd school board election.

Support the show