BELTON - After hearing the last of property appraisal protests Thursday, the Bell County Appraisal Review Board met Friday to certify the appraisal roll at $13.1 billion, which is about $1.5 billion more than last year.

Tax Appraisal District of Bell County Chief Appraiser Marvin Hahn said the district will now prepare appraisal rolls for each of 27 taxing entities in the county. Those rolls should be certified by the district on Tuesday and sent to the entities to use in setting tax rates and preparing budgets.

Hahn attributed the increase from $11.6 billion in 2005 to growth in the county.