Shay Luedeke for Bell County Tax Assessor-Collector

03/25/2026

Beware of fraudulent text messages. Don’t click…just Report and Delete.

NEWS RELEASE

Fake Fines, Real Fraud

TxDMV warns Texans about ongoing text scam.

(AUSTIN, Texas – March 25, 2026) –– Don’t tap that link! Fraudsters are flooding phones with fake violation notices designed to scare and steal. Drivers across Texas have reported receiving alarming messages that falsely claim to be from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) or similarly named agencies.

These texts often threaten immediate prosecution, suspension of vehicle registration, or loss of driving privileges due to unpaid traffic tickets, toll violations, or other infractions. They typically include a link urging recipients to pay fines immediately to avoid further penalties. These scams are designed to steal personal and financial information.

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is not a law enforcement agency and does not issue or collect fines for toll or traffic violations. It also does not communicate about alleged registration violations through unsolicited text messages.

If you receive a suspicious message:

• Do not click any links.
• Do not reply or share personal information.
• Report the message to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or the Federal Trade Commission at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov.

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Media Contact:
[email protected]
Customer Contact:
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The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles registers and titles motor vehicles, licenses motor vehicle dealers, credentials motor carriers, issues oversize/overweight permits, and investigates complaints against dealers and motor carriers. Through the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA), TxDMV supports law enforcement efforts and awards grants to reduce vehicle burglaries and thefts. Learn more at www.TxDMV.gov. Subscribe to receive TxDMV news releases via email or text message.

03/03/2026

Today is the last day to vote in the Primary Election.

Your vote today determines who will represent your party on the ballot in the November General Election. In some races — especially local races — the Primary effectively decides who will hold that office for the next four years and how that office will be run.

Primary Elections matter. They set the direction voters want to take. They shape leadership at the County, State, and Federal levels. Today is the day to make your voice heard.

Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

There are 41 voting locations across Bell County, and you may vote at any of them.

https://www.bellcountytx.com/departments/elections/election_day_locations.php

Don’t sit this one out. Show up. Vote your values. 🇺🇸

Gaylon Evans for Bell County Treasurer
Lacey Martindale for District Clerk
Raymond Hamden for U.S. Congress

Vote centers/polling locations for Election Day for Bell County.

02/08/2026

After a great deal of thought and consideration, I am publicly and proudly endorsing Gaylon Evans for Bell County Treasurer.

I base this endorsement on a fundamental principle of county government: checks and balances. The Texas Constitution established county offices with the intent that each serves a distinct purpose, working together to secure, safeguard, and properly manage taxpayer dollars so counties can effectively provide the services mandated by state law. The County Treasurer’s office plays a critical role in that system, just as every other elected county office does.

Both candidates for County Treasurer are honest, hardworking individuals, and I respect them both. However, my decision ultimately comes down to the campaign promises being made. Gaylon Evans has committed to continuing the core responsibility of the Treasurer’s office—safeguarding taxpayer funds and maintaining strong financial oversight.

I’ll leave you with this thought.

If you owned a medium-sized business that brought in a couple hundred million dollars a year, you’d likely have a CFO to manage daily finances and an outside auditor to review the books and processes. Would you fire your CFO and move all financial control solely to the outside auditor?

And if you did… who would audit the auditor?

That question gets to the heart of why checks and balances matter—and why I support Gaylon Evans for Bell County Treasurer.

01/28/2026

ATTN BELL COUNTY: Sample ballots are up on the Bell County Website for the March 3 Primary. You need to know your precinct number and it can be found on your voter ID Card.

Sample Ballots for countywide elections.

01/27/2026

Last week I spoke at Bell County Commissioners Workshop on the similarities between the Tax Assessor-Collector’s office and the County Treasurer’s office.

01/24/2026

💡 Did You Know? 💡

If you owe a fine or fee from a ticket you received in Bell County, you may be able to pay it online—quickly and conveniently.

👉 Pay here: www.bellcountytx.com/checkticket

Years ago, the Justice of the Peace Judges partnered with the Bell County Treasurer’s Office to make online payments available, and it’s been a game-changer for residents.

Even better—if your vehicle registration is denied under the SCOFFLAW Program due to an unpaid or delinquent fine or fee, you can:
✔️ Pull out your phone
✔️ Go to the link above
✔️ Search for your ticket
✔️ Pay it online

Once paid, simply show us your receipt, and we can continue with your vehicle registration. 🚗✅

Convenient. Efficient. Right at your fingertips.

01/17/2026

Important election dates for the March 3rd Primary Election!

01/07/2026

ATTN Bell County… Looking for volunteers to help with the upcoming Primary Election. These are paid positions. Please see the post below.

ELECTION WORKERS NEEDED
for the 3 Mar Primary Elections!
Positions available throughout Bell County.
Paid Training.
Want to get involved? Want to participate in the Election process?

Email: [email protected]

12/31/2025

Mark your calendar for January 22! A Town Hall on the West side of Bell County will be held featuring candidates in several Bell County races for the March Republican Primary Election. It’s a great chance to meet the candidates, ask questions, and get informed before you vote.

12/21/2025

Congratulations Texas A&M Volleyball! 2025 National Champions! Whoop! Gig’em!

12/19/2025

This is County Government.
Being a public servant is what it’s all about—providing essential services and doing so as efficiently as possible.

County government is truly the grassroots of government. This past summer, I had the opportunity to attend the National Association of Counties (NACo) Conference in Philadelphia, where counties from across the nation came together to share ideas and adapt to an ever-changing landscape.

At the conference, the Honorable J.D. Clark, Wise County Judge, was sworn in as President of NACo. Texas continues to be well represented at the national level, and we are doing great things for counties across our state.

This video was created by the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) and features the song Judge Clark sang during his swearing-in at NACo.

12/13/2025

Back home this morning after wrapping up 2 days of Board meetings in Austin. Started Thursday morning at the TxDMV board meeting. Then Thursday afternoon and all day Friday the Texas Association of Counties Board meeting where I serve as voting member representing all Tax Assessor-Collectors in the state of Texas. It is an honor to serve!