[A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER] [00:00:03] OKAY, GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. THANK YOU FOR COMING TO CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT THIS MORNING. WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2026, AT 9 A.M. AND WE HAVE PASTOR FLETCHER HERE TO DO OUR INVOCATION THIS MORNING. PASTOR, WOULD YOU MIND COMING UP HERE? CENTER YOURSELF, JUST TAKE A DEEP BREATH IN AND INHALE THE GOODNESS THAT IS AROUND YOU. EXHALE OUT AND JUST LET ALL THE NEGATIVE VIBES AND STUFF THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR SOUL AND BODY, JUST LET IT OUT. NOW LET US GO BEFORE GOD IN PRAYER. OUR DEAR, MOST HEAVENLY AND GRACIOUS FATHER, WE COME GIVING YOU THANKS FOR THIS DAY, FOR THIS IS THE DAY THAT YOU HAVE MADE. FATHER, I ASK BLESSINGS ON ALL THE COMMISSIONERS AS THEY GO NOW TO MAKE THE DECISIONS THAT WILL AFFECT ALL THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN THEIR PRECINCTS. WE ASK BLESSINGS ON THOSE WHO ARE ON THE AGENDA AS THEY BRING THEIR ITEMS BEFORE THE COURT. GOD, WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD JUST BE WITH THEM AND GUIDE THEM, GOD, AND LET THEM MAKE THE CORRECT DECISIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT. GOD, WE PRAY FOR ALL THE COURT OFFICIALS. LORD, WE JUST THANK YOU THAT THEY'RE GIVING THEIR TIME TO MAKE A BETTER PLACE AND A BETTER WORLD. WE ASK NOW AND WE THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US THIS PAST WEEK. THE BLESSINGS THAT WE ASKED FOR, THE PRAYERS THAT WE PRAYED THAT WERE ANSWERED. GOD, WE ASK BLESSINGS ON THE PRAYERS THAT WERE NOT ANSWERED. AND GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR GRACE AND YOUR MERCY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. CHRIST, OUR LORD AND GOD'S CHILDREN, SAID, AMEN, AMEN, AND AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. [D. ANNOUNCEMENTS] ALL RIGHT COMMISSIONERS, ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS MORNING? NONE FOR ME. JUDGE. OKAY, THANKS. NONE FOR ME JUDGE. ALL RIGHTY. TERRY. OH, MR. THOMAS NONE GOOD, OKAY, NONE FOR ME. DO WE HAVE ANY STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS? GO AHEAD. DANNY HI, I JUST WANTED TO INTRODUCE STEPHANIE PLATE. OH, SHE'S IN THE BACK. SHE'S OUR NEW PURCHASING ASSISTANT, SO WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE HER AND HAVE A FULL TEAM. SO IF ANYBODY NEEDS ANYTHING FROM PURCHASING, STEPHANIE AND DOMINIQUE WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU. OKAY, AWESOME. ANY OTHERS? OKAY, IF NOT, [E. CITIZENS' COMMENTS] WE'LL MOVE TO CITIZENS COMMENTS. I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT TODAY, SO JUST A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING. YOU HAVE FOUR MINUTES. WE CANNOT INTERACT WITH YOU DURING CITIZENS COMMENTS. IF THE ITEM COMES UP ON THE AGENDA, THEN WE CAN'T. SO IF YOU'RE ONE, IF YOU CAME HERE AND YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON A PARTICULAR ITEM BUT DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR CITIZENS COMMENTS, PLEASE DO SIGN UP. I'LL GO AHEAD AND ALLOW IT. EVEN THOUGH WE STARTED JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET TO SAY WHAT YOU CAME HERE TO SAY, OKAY, AND WITH THAT WE'LL GO AHEAD AND START. MARY EISENBERG HI, GOOD MORNING MARY EISENBERG. 1021 SPRUCE, LOCKHART JUDGE HAYDEN AND COMMISSIONERS, IN SEPTEMBER, I ADDRESSED THIS COURT WITH MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE TWO DATA CENTERS, PRIME AND TRACK, GOING IN ON 2720, LESS THAN SIX MILES FROM DOWNTOWN LOCKHART. SINCE THEN, TRACK HAS DOUBLED IN SIZE AND WILL BE ONE OF THE LARGEST DATA CENTERS IN THE AREA. AND THERE'S A POSSIBLE THIRD DATA CENTER IN THE MARTINDALE AND MAXWELL GOING IN. I GAVE YOU FACTUAL INFORMATION FROM MY RESEARCH ABOUT BOTH THE WATER AND ENERGY USAGE THAT GOES IN WITH DATA CENTERS. AND I ALSO SHARED THIS QUOTE FROM FORBES MAGAZINE. DATA CENTERS DO NOT SERVE AS PERMANENT AND ONGOING JOB CREATION ENGINES ANY MORE THAN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HIGHWAY OR A BRIDGE DOES. SINCE THEN, IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, WE'VE SEEN AN EXPLOSION OF COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE. THANK YOU. IN THE COUNTRY, THAT ARE SAYING NO OR SLOW DOWN ON DATA CENTERS. ON [00:05:02] TUESDAY, GUADALUPE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PUT A STOP, AT LEAST FOR NOW, TO A DATA CENTER. AND ON MONDAY, PROTESTERS, I THINK MOSTLY FROM HOOD COUNTY, RALLIED OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL. ASKING THE GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION TO ADDRESS THE EFFECT OF DATA CENTERS ON THE STATE. LAST TUESDAY, IN SAN MARCOS, HUNDREDS SHOWED UP AND TESTIFIED INTO THE EARLY MORNING. UH, TO LOBBY THE COUNCIL TO SUCCESSFULLY VOTE NO ON A DATA CENTER. AS COMMUNITIES SEE THEIR WATER AND ELECTRICITY RATES INCREASE FOLLOWING THE ARRIVAL OF A DATA CENTER, FOLKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE ARE NOW SAYING, ENOUGH. YET, IT'S AS IF CALDWELL COUNTY, OR SOME OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES HERE, ARE IN SOME SORT OF TIME WARP. UNAWARE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THEM. THERE'S A REAL GROWING SENSE OF FRUSTRATION AT THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY. AND BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS, SOME OF THE LOCAL CITIZENS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO FORM THE CALDWELL DATA CENTER ACTION TEAM, BECAUSE WE NEED ANSWERS. THE MORE I LEARN, THE MORE AWARE I BECOME ABOUT THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF THIS PROLIFERATION OF DATA CENTERS ON OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND OUR RESOURCES. THE RESIDENTS OF OUR COUNTY DESERVE TO KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT DATA CENTERS. AFTER ALL, BECAUSE AFTER THE DATA CENTER IS BUILT AND GOING, THERE'S LITTLE RECOURSE FOR THOSE WHO LIVE NEARBY. WILL THE ENTRANCE INTEREST... THE RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES AND AGRICULTURE OF THIS COUNTY ARE THEY GOING TO BE SACRIFICED TO KEEP THE STATUS IN RUNNING? I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER, THEREFORE, I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR AN OPEN PUBLIC DISCUSSION. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I FORGOT TO MENTION, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND WHERE YOU'RE FROM. I KNOW A LOT OF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN HERE AND DONE THIS BEFORE, SO I JUST DON'T WANT YOU TO HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. MY NAME IS BENITA HEINZEN. I LIVE AT 314 WIRECRESTED DRIVE HERE IN LOCKHART. AND BEFORE AGREEING TO, IN MY OPINION, SELL LOCKHART TO THE DATA CENTER CONGLOMERATES, PLEASE LISTEN TO WHAT THIS CITIZEN IS READING AND LEARNING. IT WAS IN A RECENT TEXAS TRIBUNE ARTICLE, IT WAS STATED THAT A POWER COMPANY APPLIED FOR PERMITS TO INSTALL 206 GAS GENERATORS. SORRY, GO AHEAD. A POWER COMPANY APPLIED FOR PERMITS TO INSTALL 206 GAS GENERATORS, TOTALING 519 MEGAWATTS OF CAPACITY, AT A DATA CENTER OUTSIDE SAN ANTONIO IN DECEMBER. TCEQ GRANTED THE PERMIT ON JANUARY 14TH, AUTHORIZING EMISSIONS, WHICH INCLUDED 133 TONS PER YEAR OF TOXIC PARTICLE MATTER, 10 TONS PER YEAR OF CANCER-CAUSING FORMALDEHYDE. THE TRIBUNE ALSO STATED THAT IN THE TOWN OF BLUE, NOT FAR FROM HERE, ABOUT 50 MILES EAST, TCEQ AGAIN ISSUED A PERMIT IN OCTOBER OF 25 FOR A 1.2 GIGAWATT POWER PLANT. THAT COMMUNITY FORMALLY REQUESTED A HEARING FROM TCEQ ON THE AIR POLLUTION PERMIT. THAT AUTHORIZED 406 TONS PER YEAR OF AMMONIA EMISSIONS, 153 TONS OF SOOT, 76 TONS OF SULFURIC ACID, AND 18 TONS OF OTHER HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS, SUBSTANCES KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO CAUSE CANCER, BIRTH DEFECTS, REPRODUCTIVE ISSUES, OR OTHER SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS. I HAVE TO ASK YOU, THIS COUNCIL, AND ANY OTHER OVERSIGHT MANAGEMENT, FOUR QUESTIONS. ONE, ARE THERE POLICIES, RESTRICTIONS, AND ARE REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE DATA CENTERS THAT ARE WRITTEN SO TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE? TO COMPLY WITH ISSUES THAT AFFECT LOCAL PROPERTIES AND RESIDENTS, SUCH AS ENVIRONMENTAL BUFFERS FOR SOUND, LIGHT, CONSTRUCTION, POLLUTANTS, NATURAL HABITATS? ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES, NOCTURNAL WILDLIFE, CELESTIAL GAZING AND QUALITY OF NEIGHBORHOOD LIVING. NUMBER TWO WILL THE ENERGY USAGE WATER, GAS, ELECTRIC. WILL IT [00:10:01] BE FAIRLY DIVIDED? NUMBER THREE, AS WATER IS DEPLETED, THOSE NEEDS WILL COME FIRST. WHOSE NEEDS WILL COME FIRST? DATA CENTER OR AGRICULTURE? DATA CENTER OR CITIZEN? REMEMBER, ONCE THE WATER GOES, TAXPAYERS GO. NUMBER FOUR, AS KILOWATT PER HOUR COSTS INCREASE BECAUSE OF DATA CENTERS, INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE OR ARE... THAT PROTECTS RESIDENTIAL KILOWATTS COST TO REMAIN AFFORDABLE TO WORKING-CLASS RESIDENTS, I.E. TAXPAYERS, AND PROTECT US FROM SUCH EXORBITANT AND SUDDEN INCREASES. AT THIS DATE, I DON'T RECOGNIZE THE FAIRNESS IN MY PAIN. FOR ONE INDUSTRY'S NEED AND WHO IS THE SOLE BENEFICIARY OF AN EXPANDED POWER GRID. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. EMMA UTZINGER. GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS EMMA UTZINGER. I CURRENTLY LIVE IN DEL VALLEY, BUT I'VE LIVED IN LOCKHART FOR MOST OF MY LIFE AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK. ON AGENDA ITEM H13 REGARDING THE PROPOSED BUILDING OF DATA CENTERS IN CALDWELL COUNTY. THE ENVIRONMENTAL TOLL OF THESE DATA CENTERS IS HARD TO OVERSTATE. THEY PUT MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF CARBON DIOXIDE INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. A SINGLE DATA CENTER CAN CONSUME 3 TO 7 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER EVERY DAY. LOCATIONS THAT HOST DATA CENTERS HAVE SEEN WATER SHORTAGES AND WATER QUALITY ISSUES. ADDITIONALLY, THEY USE ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF ELECTRICITY, A BULK OF THE COST THAT WILL FALL ON COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THEY RELEASE PARTICULATE MATTER AND NITROUS OXIDES, LEADING TO HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG CITIZENS. I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS IF THESE DATA CENTERS GET BUILT. HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS WATER QUALITY ISSUES AND ELECTRICITY COSTS? HOW WILL YOU MAKE SURE THAT THE DATA CENTERS WILL PRIORITIZE USING CLEAN ENERGY AND NOT WASTE OUR NATURAL RESOURCES? AND HOW WILL YOU MAKE SURE THAT THESE COMPANIES ARE TRANSPARENT IN REPORTING USAGE DATA, AS THIS HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH DATA CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY? I DON'T WANT TO SEE CALDWELL COUNTY BENDING TO CORPORATE PRESSURES AT THE COST OF HUMAN LIVELIHOOD AND OUR PLANET. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DECLINE THE BUILDING OF THE AI DATA CENTERS HERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU, MA'AM. KRISTEN ANDREWS. MY NAME IS KRISTEN ANDREWS. I LIVE IN CALDWELL COUNTY, IN FENTRESS. I HAVE A SMALL FARM AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT OUR FUTURE. THESE DATA CENTER PROJECTS ARE TRYING TO POP UP EVERYWHERE AND BY NOW, I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHAT THEY DO TO COMMUNITIES. WE'RE IN DROUGHT CONDITIONS AND THESE CENTERS ARE AN ENORMOUS STRAIN ON LOCAL RESOURCES. DO WE REALLY WANT TO DEPLETE OUR ALREADY DECLINING WATER SUPPLY? AND WHAT ABOUT THE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF ENERGY THESE PROJECTS TAKE? THE INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF POWER OUTAGES? THE WATER POLLUTION, AIR POLLUTION, NOISE POLLUTION? THE WILDLIFE THAT GETS DISPLACED WHEN MORE OF THESE MASSIVE WAREHOUSES ARE CREATED? THE BIG SLABS OF ASPHALT AND CONCRETE, CREATING HEAT ISLANDS AND MAKING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS HOTTER AND HARDER TO LIVE IN? HOW IS THIS PROGRESS? HOW DOES THIS BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY IN ANY MEANINGFUL, LASTING WAY? WHEN WE FIND OURSELVES WITHOUT WATER, WITHOUT PLANTS AND TREES, AND WITHOUT CLEAN AIR TO BREATHE, WELL, AT LEAST WE'LL HAVE ENDLESS STREAMS OF DATA. AND THAT WILL BE OUR LEGACY, A HIGH-TECH, DATA-DRIVEN WASTELAND. WE ALL KNOW HOW THIS GOES. NOBODY WINS WHEN WE DEPLETE OUR RESOURCES. I ASK YOU TO VOTE FOR A HEALTHIER, MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, AND SAY NO TO DATA CENTERS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANGELICA MESA. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. JUDGE ADEN. MY NAME IS ANGELICA MESA. I LIVE AT 1515 FOXGLOVE DRIVE HERE IN LOCKHART, AND I'M HERE ALSO TO SPEAK ON H.13. ON THE DATA CENTERS. MANY CITIZENS IN OUR COUNTY REMAIN CONCERNED ABOUT DATA CENTERS BEING APPROVED, WITH THE BLESSING OF THIS COURT. ACROSS THE COUNTRY, NUMEROUS COMMUNITIES HAVE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN WATER AND ELECTRICITY RATES FOLLOWING THE ARRIVAL OF DATA CENTERS. THESE FACILITIES ALSO HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CONTRIBUTE TO AIR POLLUTION FROM THE EXHAUST OF LARGE NATURAL GAS GENERATORS USED TO POWER SOME OPERATIONS. IT IS [00:15:02] NOT ENOUGH TO PROVIDE GENERAL STATEMENTS ABOUT REDUCED WATER USE IN CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEMS. CONSTITUENTS DESERVE TRANSPARENT INFORMATION REGARDING THE USE OF NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS, PROJECTED INCREASES IN POLLUTION ABOVE CURRENT BASELINE LEVELS, TOTAL ANTICIPATED POWER AND WATER CONSUMPTION, AND HOW COOLANT USED IN CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEMS WILL BE RECLAIMED OR DISPOSED OF. DUE TO THE LIMITED INFORMATION RELEASED THUS FAR, A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION, THE CALDWELL DATA CENTER ACTION TEAM, HAS FORMED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE DECISIONS BEING MADE AND HOW THEY WILL IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY. WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU CONSIDER HOLDING A PUBLIC TOWN HALL MEETING WHERE CONCERNED CITIZENS CAN ASK QUESTIONS AND GAIN A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF THE POTENTIAL STRAIN DATA CENTERS MAY PLACE. ON OUR COUNTY'S INFRASTRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. YES, MA'AM, THANK YOU. OKAY, GOOD MORNING ANDREW MCLEISH. PRAIRIE LEA LEFT OFF. WE LEFT OFF AT THE SECOND PRAIRIE LEA. TRAFFIC STUDY REPORTS STILL MISSING, SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DATA WAS COLLECTED. ON HER WAY OUT, COMMISSIONER SHELTON ASKED JUDGE HAYDEN TO GET THE LONG OVERDUE REPORT AND TAKE ACTION BASED ON ITS FINDINGS. JUDGE HAYDEN SAID WHEN WE GET IT, I'LL GET IT OUT. THAT DID NOT HAPPEN THROUGHOUT 2023. JUDGE HAYDEN REPEATEDLY TOLD THE PUBLIC IN THIS COURT THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE WITHOUT THE REPORT. HE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING TO TAKE ACTION ON AND THAT THE COURT HAD TO WAIT FOR THE REPORT. AT THE SAME TIME, IT WAS JUDGE HAYDEN WHO PUT THE REPORT, WHO HAD THE REPORT PLACED ON HOLD IN 2023. I SENT JUDGE HAYDEN A MULTITUDE OF EMAILS ASKING ABOUT THE MISSING REPORT. HE REPLIED ONLY TWO TIMES. IN FEBRUARY. HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD ASKED THE ENGINEERS TO EXPEDITE THE REPORT AND THAT ONCE HE RECEIVED IT, IT WOULD GO ON THE NEXT AVAILABLE AGENDA. THAT ALSO DID NOT HAPPEN BY JULY, ONE FULL YEAR AFTER THE DATA HAD BEEN COLLECTED. JUDGE HAYDEN TOLD ME HE WOULD NO LONGER RESPOND TO MY EMAILS UNLESS THE SITUATION CHANGED. BUT THE SITUATION HAD ALREADY CHANGED. THE DATA EXISTED, THE ENGINEERS WERE CAPABLE OF COMPLETING THE REPORT, AND YET THE COUNTY STILL DID NOT HAVE IT BECAUSE THE REPORT WAS PLACED ON HOLD BY JUDGE HAYDEN. WHEN EMAILS FAILED, I CAME HERE. I RAISED THE ISSUE DURING CITIZENS' COMMENTS IN JULY, AUGUST, AND SEPTEMBER. TAKING MY CONCERNS TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS MAY HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN ENCOURAGING JUDGE HAYDEN TO TAKE THE REPORT OFF ITS HOLD STATUS. NOW, HERE'S THE KEY FACT THE PUBLIC WAS NOT TOLD. THE REPORT WAS COMPLETED THE VERY NEXT MONTH, ON OCTOBER 26, 2023. IT EXISTED, IT WAS FINISHED, AND IT WAS WITHHELD. JUDGE HAYDEN HAD SAID, WHEN I HAVE A COPY, YOU'LL BE THE FIRST TO KNOW. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE PUBLIC WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE COURT DID NOT ACT ON IT. THE ITEM ACTUALLY APPEARED SEVEN MONTHS LATER ON THE AGENDA, IN MAY OF 2024, LABELED AS DISCUSSION ONLY. JUDGE HAYDEN STATED NO VOTE WOULD BE TAKEN, YET THE ACTUAL REPORT, THE PRAIRIE LEE TRAFFIC STUDY ITSELF, WAS MYSTERIOUSLY MISSING IN THE AGENDA BACKUP. NOW, HOW CAN THERE BE A MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION ABOUT A REPORT WHEN THE REPORT ITSELF IS EXCLUDED FROM THE AGENDA BACKUP? LATER, THE REPORT'S AUTHOR CONFIRMED THAT THE DELAY WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE ENGINEERS AT AMERICAN STRUCTURE POINT. THE REPORT HAD BEEN PLACED ON HOLD AT THE DIRECTION OF JUDGE HAYDEN BECAUSE, AS HE SAID, THERE WERE SOME THINGS THE COUNTY NEEDED TO WORK OUT BEFORE ISSUING THE REPORT. SO LET'S BE VERY CLEAR. JUDGE HAYDEN REPEATEDLY INSISTED THAT THE COURT WAS POWERLESS TO ACT WITHOUT THE REPORT, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, HE HIMSELF BLOCKED THE REPORT'S RELEASE. WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS INSTITUTIONAL DECEPTION. JUDGE HAYDEN CREATED THE DELAY, CONCEALED HIS ROLE IN IT, AND USED THE MANUFACTURED DELAY TO MISLEAD FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AND THE PUBLIC. THE TIMELINE TELLS THE STORY. THE REPORT WAS SENT TO JUDGE HAYDEN AND COMMISSIONER HORN 16 MONTHS AFTER THE DATA WAS COLLECTED. AND THEN IT TOOK ANOTHER 13 MORE MONTHS FOR THIS COURT TO ACT. THAT'S 29 MONTHS FROM DATA COLLECTION TO ACTION. THE FIRST STUDY ONLY TOOK THREE MONTHS FROM DATA TO COLLECTION. I DON'T KNOW WHY JUDGE HAYDEN CHOSE THESE ACTIONS AND INACTIONS THAT KEPT THE ALWAYS STOP SIGNS IN PLACE. BUT I DO KNOW THIS. IT WAS NOT IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY. HE READ THE REPORTS, HE READ THE ENGINEERS RECOMMENDATION FOR REMOVAL, YET DELAY AFTER DELAY FOLLOWED. EVEN THOUGH THE TRAFFIC STOPPED, [00:20:01] MADE IT CLEAR THESE DEVICES ARE UNNECESSARY, UNWARRANTED AND UNSAFE. I KNOW I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME. BUT THIS NO LONGER LOOKS LIKE A QUESTION OF RIGHT AND WRONG, IT LOOKS LIKE A QUESTION OF POWER AND EGO. PUBLIC SAFETY DECISIONS WERE DELAYED, TRANSPARENCY WAS DENIED AND PUBLIC TRUST WAS DAMAGED. I'LL SEE YOU AT THE NEXT MEETING. FOR THE HANDOFF TO COMMISSIONER HORNE, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. JUST ONE POINT OF ORDER I DID NOT INSTRUCT STRUCTURE, LAY THE REPORT QUICKLY. FOR THOSE THAT ARE HERE FOR THE DATA CENTER, WE CAN HAVE A WORKSHOP. I DON'T THINK THAT'S A BAD IDEA AT ALL. INFORMATION WE'D LIKE TO GET TO YOU AS WELL AND WE. BUT SO WE WILL WORK ON GETTING ON THAT ON AN AGENDA HERE VERY SHORTLY. AND IF YOUR COALITION WOULD LIKE TO REACH OUT TO ME, I CAN MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY AND WATER USAGE. THERE IS VERY LITTLE WE CAN DO ABOUT ELECTRICITY, WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER ELECTRICITY, WE ARE NOT A CITY. COUNTIES HAVE VERY LITTLE STATUTORY ZONING, IN FACT, WE HAVE NONE. THE ONLY WAY THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THAT IS TO GET THESE DATA CENTERS INTO A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. AND THEN WE CAN BEGIN TO ASK FOR WATER USAGE RESTRICTIONS, WATER QUALITY RESTRICTIONS COMING OFF THEIR SITE, THAT SORT OF THING. TCEQ ISSUES THE PERMITS, WE CAN COMMENT ON THEM AND THAT IS IT. THAT IS ALL THE AUTHORITY WE HAVE AS FAR AS DISCHARGE PERMITS. BUT WE CAN HAVE, WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE A WORKSHOP, DESCRIBE TO YOU WHAT OUR POWER AUTHORITIES ARE, DESCRIBE TO YOU WHAT WE'RE DOING WITHIN THE STRUCTURE OF THOSE POWER AND AUTHORITIES, AND THEN ALSO, DURING THAT WORKSHOP, I WILL ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO YOUR STATE REP AND YOUR STATE SENATOR TO GIVE US A LITTLE MORE POWER AND AUTHORITY. BUT UNTIL THAT TIME, UNTIL THE NEXT SESSION, WE DON'T HAVE THAT. I'VE HAD BOTH OUR STATE REP AND OUR STATE SENATOR HAVE REACHED OUT TO ASK US WHAT OUR LEGISLATIVE ISSUES ARE, AND MY NUMBER ONE LEGISLATIVE ISSUE IS TO GET MORE ZONING AUTHORITY FOR COUNTIES. THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT IS, THOUGH, IF YOU LIVE OUT IN THE COUNTY, I HEARD ONE OF YOU SAY YOU HAVE A FARM. THERE'S DANGER IN THAT BECAUSE THEN WE'LL BE TELLING YOU WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT DO WITH YOUR PROPERTY. SO THAT'S A SLIPPERY SLOPE, BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. I'LL TRY TO GET IT ON THE AGENDA FOR A WORKSHOP AND AND WE CAN JUST HAVE AN OPEN CONVERSATION ABOUT IT. IF, IF THAT'S OKAY WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER. I THINK THERE'S A... THERE'S SOME MISINFORMATION OUT THERE ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING, THERE'S SOME MISINFORMATION OUT THERE ABOUT WATER USAGE, IT'S NOT MISINFORMATION, IT'S OLD DATA. SO HAPPY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. WE WILL TRY TO PUT A WORKSHOP ON. NORMALLY WHAT WE DO, AND WE HAVE THESE WORKSHOPS, IS WE'LL HAVE COMMISSIONERS COURT WORKSHOP IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING. BECAUSE SOMETIMES THESE ITEMS, LIKE YOU SEE ON HERE TODAY, MAY OR MAY NOT BE TAKEN UP AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION, IF WE'RE NOT COMING OUT TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON IT, WE JUST TABLE THEM UNTIL THE NEXT TIME. SO I DON'T WANT YOU THINKING THAT THESE WILL ABSOLUTELY HAPPEN, SO WORKSHOP'S PROBABLY A BETTER ENVIRONMENT TO DO THAT IN. AND YOU CAN BRING YOUR DATA AND FACTS, AND WE'LL HAVE OURS. OKAY? THANK YOU. CLAUDIA HOLLER. SORRY, I THOUGHT WE WERE... NO. SORRY, MISS HOLLAND, I DIDN'T MEAN TO CUT YOU OFF, MY APOLOGIES. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT WORKSHOP, I'M CLAUDIA HALLER AND I'M ON BOARD SHIRT LOOP FROM CALDWELL COUNTY, AND THEN BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT WORKSHOP. I JUST WANT TO STATE THAT I DON'T THINK A DATA CENTER IS A GOOD IDEA. I THINK OUR WATER IS PRECIOUS, I THINK OUR BEAUTY IS PRECIOUS, I THINK WE LOVE THIS COMMUNITY. WE'VE SEEN THEM COME IN TIME AND TIME AGAIN WITH THESE PROMISES, SAYING IT'S CLOSED LOOPS, SAYING IT WILL NOT USE OUR WATER. BUT THEN WE SEE THESE THINGS OVER AND OVER, WHERE THE WATER DOES GET USED. WE SEE POLLUTION LIKE IT'S HAPPENING IN MEMPHIS, WE SEE SURGES IN WATER IN ELECTRIC BILLS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OHIO, ILLINOIS AND VIRGINIA. SO I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO, AS A COMMUNITY, ASSESS TOGETHER IF WHAT THEY ARE TELLING US IS THE TRUTH, OR IF WE WILL FIND THE TRUTH OUT AFTER THEY OPEN. SO I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE WORKSHOP. YES, MA'AM. THANK, THANK YOU. HELLO, I'M RAE BLONDE. I LIVE [00:25:03] IN LOCKHART, AND I STRONGLY OPPOSE THE CONSTRUCTION OF DATA CENTERS IN CALDWELL COUNTY. I JUST BOUGHT MY FIRST HOUSE IN LOCKHART, SO I'M FIRMLY INVESTED IN THIS TOWN, IN THIS COMMUNITY. AND I HAVE MAJOR CONCERNS ABOUT THE WATER AND ELECTRICITY USAGE OF DATA CENTERS. THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MA'AM. COLIN STRICKLAND. HELLO, MY NAME IS COLIN STRICKLAND. I LIVE ON WODARK STREET IN LOCKHART, AND I HAVE BEGUN A COUPLE OF HISTORIC HOME RESTORATION PROJECTS OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS HERE IN LOCKHART. FOR MYSELF AND FOR FAMILY. AND IT'S ALL BEEN ON THE STIPULATION THAT THERE WILL BE SUSTAINABLE, RELIABLE RESOURCES MOVING FORWARD, AND THESE TYPE OF PROJECTS, SUCH AS THESE PROPOSED DATA CENTERS, DRAW SIGNIFICANT... THINGS INTO QUESTION WHETHER THE WATER FUTURES IN THIS REGION AND ENERGY RESOURCES MOVING FORWARD WILL BE RELIABLE. SO, I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND A VERY CAUTIOUS APPROACH TO THESE TYPE OF PROJECTS. THAT WILL BE VERY HARD TO REVERSE ONCE THEY SET INTO MOTION. AS A HOMEOWNER AND CITIZEN, THAT IS MY OPINION. THANK YOU, YES, SIR, THANK YOU. HI, MY NAME IS ANNA LEIDEN. I'M A RECENT RESIDENT OF LOCKHART. I MOVED HERE IN MAY OF 2023, BUT I DOVE IN PRETTY HEADFIRST INTO THIS COMMUNITY. ONE OF THE MAIN WAYS I'VE DONE THIS IS THROUGH MY VOLUNTEER WORK AT LOCKHART STATE PARK. I DO MONTHLY WATER TESTING ON CLEAR FORK PLUM CREEK. I HELP CLEAR INVASIVE SPECIES. I HELP HOST THE PARK'S SPRING AND FALL FESTIVALS AND NATIVE PLANT SALES. BUT ARGUABLY, THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK I DO IS LEADING SECOND THROUGH FIFTH GRADERS FROM OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS ON HIKES TO HELP THEM LEARN ABOUT NATURE, ONE OF WHICH IS ACTUALLY GOING ON TODAY. I WANT TO BE CLEAR, MY GOAL ISN'T TO GET A KID TO SPIT SCIENTIFIC FACTS BACK TO ME, IT'S TO SPARK CURIOSITY, THE KIND THAT STICKS WITH THEM WHEN THEY GET BACK HOME. FOR A LOT OF THESE STUDENTS, IT'S THEIR FIRST TIME EVER VISITING THE PARK, EVEN THOUGH MANY OF THEM HAVE LIVED IN THIS COMMUNITY MOST OF THEIR LIVES. SO I TRY TO HELP THEM CONNECT WITH THE PARK AND WITH EACH OTHER IN IT, NOT JUST LEARN, BUT TO CARE. ON THESE HIKES, THE STATION I LEAD IS CALLED FOREST OF PLENTY. WE LEARN ABOUT RENEWABLE VERSUS NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES, THEN WALK THE TRAIL TO IDENTIFY THEM. THE GUIDE WE USE IS SIMPLE. RENEWABLE MEANS YOU CAN GROW IT BACK WITHIN A HUNDRED YEARS, LIKE OUR YOPONHOLY CAP AND MEXICAN BUCKEYE. NON-RENEWABLE MEANS IT TAKES LONGER THAN A HUNDRED YEARS TO FORM. AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T COME BACK IN ANY MEANINGFUL WAY WITHIN OUR LIFETIMES. AND EVERY SINGLE TIME I TEACH A LESSON. THE MOST CONFUSING PART FOR THE KIDS IS WHEN WE GET TO WATER BECAUSE THEY SEE IT EVERYWHERE. IN RIVERS, CREEKS AND LAKES, WE HAVE OCEANS AND OCEANS OF IT, IT RAINS, SO WHY WOULD WATER EVER BE CONSIDERED NON-RENEWABLE? AND HONESTLY, IT'S CONFUSING FOR ADULTS, TOO. BUT HERE'S THE REALITY. USABLE, LOCAL, FRESH WATER, THE KIND COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS DEPEND ON, IS LIMITED. YOU CAN'T ASSUME IT WILL BE THERE JUST BECAUSE WATER EXISTS ELSEWHERE ON THE PLANET. WHEN WE PULL GROUNDWATER FROM AN AQUIFER OR RIVER FASTER THAN IT NATURALLY REFILLS, WHICH OFTEN HAPPENS, THAT WATER BECOMES EFFECTIVELY NON-RENEWABLE. IN THAT LOCATION, AND ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE TIMELINE OF OUR LIVES. THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY, ON SHORT NOTICE, SPEAKING ABOUT WATER. USE RELATED TO DATA CENTERS. SPECIFICALLY, THE WATER REQUIRED TO COOL THEM AND TO KEEP THEM FUNCTIONING. A SMALL DATA CENTER CAN USE AROUND 300,000 GALLONS OF WATER PER DAY, ROUGHLY WHAT A TOWN OF A THOUSAND HOUSEHOLD USES. WE HAVE ABOUT 5,000 HERE IN LOCKHART AND WE'RE GROWING. SO I'M ASKING YOU TO APPROACH THIS IN THE WAY I ASK MY STUDENTS TO APPROACH THE WORLD AROUND THEM ON A FIELD TRIP. WHERE IS THIS WATER COMING FROM? NOT IN A VAGUE WAY, NOT IN A SOMEONE SAID, IT'LL BE FINE WAY. BUT IN A CLEAR, SPECIFIC, ACCOUNTABLE WAY. IF THE ANSWER INVOLVES THE SAN MARCOS RIVER, THAT TIES DIRECTLY INTO THE EDWARDS AQUIFER SYSTEM, AND WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THOSE LEVELS DROP. WE DON'T HAVE TO PRETEND THIS IS THEORETICAL. THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE'VE BEEN IN A SEVERE DROUGHT. WE'VE WATCHED IT. I USED TO LEAD CHILDREN DOWN A TRAIL WHERE WE'D END AT A BANK OF A CREEK. THEY'D SEE FISH. THEY'D GET EXCITED. THEY'D TELL ME THAT THEY WANTED TO COME BACK WITH THEIR FATHERS OR THEIR BROTHERS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY REALIZED YOU CAN FISH. FOR FREE AT LOCKHART STATE PARK. RECENTLY, WE WALKED DOWN THERE AND IT WAS DRY. NOT [00:30:01] EVEN A TRICKLE. AND THERE'S NOT MUCH WONDER OR JOY. OR I WANT TO COME BACK HERE IN A DRY CREEK BED. I'M TESTING THE WATER EVERY MONTH AT THE PARK AND SOMETIMES I CAN BARELY TEST IT BECAUSE THERE'S NO FLOW. IT'S STAGNANT, IT'S STINKY, THIS IS WHERE WE ALREADY ARE. SO WHEN I HEAR THAT WE'RE PERMITTING MASSIVE FACILITIES THAT REQUIRE ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF WATER FOR COOLING, I CAN'T HELP BUT ASK, ARE WE BEING HONEST ABOUT OUR TRADE-OFFS? FROM WHERE I STAND, BOOTS ON THE GROUND, LITERALLY IN THE CREEK, IT ALREADY FEELS LIKE OUR WATER IS UNDER PRESSURE. I ALREADY HAVE SUSPICIONS. THERE ARE STRAWS UPSTREAM, LIMITING WHAT'S AVAILABLE DOWNSTREAM, AND NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ADDING MAJOR NEW DEMAND TO A RESOURCE THAT'S ALREADY FRAGILE HERE. PLEASE DON'T ACCEPT IT'LL BE FINE AS A PLAN. DON'T ACCEPT IT'LL COME BACK AS A STRATEGY, BECAUSE IT MIGHT NOT, AND WE ARE ALREADY WATCHING THAT HAPPEN IN REAL TIME. PLEASE TREAT WATER LIKE WHAT IT IS. FOR A COMMUNITY LIKE OURS, A FINITE RESOURCE, WE CANNOT LOSE ACCESS TO AND MAKE DECISIONS THAT PROTECT IT. FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY LIVE HERE AND FOR THE CHILDREN I'M TEACHING TODAY SO WE CAN ENSURE A SECURE AND LIVABLE TOMORROW. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THERE ARE NO OTHER CITIZEN. OKAY, THANK YOU, OKAY. WITH THAT. [F. CONSENT AGENDA] COMMISSIONERS, WE WILL MOVE TO CONSENT AGENDA. IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ABOUT CONSENT, I'D LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE, MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, [G.1 Regarding consideration for the Replat of Windmill Hollow, Lot 6 on Taylorsville Road in Caldwell County] MOTION CARRIES. WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET TO OUR PUBLIC HEARING. IT'S 931. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING CONSIDERATION FOR THE REPLAT OF WINDMILL HOLLOW, LOT 6 ON TAYLORSVILLE ROAD IN CALDWELL COUNTY. WE'LL LEAVE THIS OPEN FOR A MOMENT. SHOULD ANYONE... I WANT TO COME UP AND DISCUSS THIS. OKAY, SEEING NO ONE WANTING TO SPEAK, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 9.33 AND MOVE [H.1 To discuss and take possible action regarding the approval of the Minutes for the February 12, 2026, regular meeting.] INTO DISCUSSION ACTION. ITEM H1, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE FEBRUARY 12, 2026 REGULAR MEETING. COMMISSIONERS? SO MOVED. MOVED APPROVAL. AND A SECOND. MOVED APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIAULT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING [H.2 To consider public streets and drainage in Sunset Oaks 6A as complete and ready to begin the twoyear performance period as evidenced by a maintenance bond in the amount of $309,860.59 for maintenance security and release the performance bond in the amount of $3,786,666.00 back to the developer.] NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM H2, CONSIDER PUBLIC STREETS AND DRAINAGE IN SUNSET OAKS 6A AS COMPLETE AND READY TO BEGIN. THE TWO-YEAR PERFORMANCE PERIOD AS EVIDENCED BY THE MAINTENANCE BOND IN THE AMOUNT OF $309,860.59 FOR MAINTENANCE AND SECURITY, AND RELEASE, THE PERFORMANCE BOND IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,786,660. SIX DOLLARS BACK TO THE DEVELOPER, READY TO RELEASE AND ACCEPT THE TWO-YEAR MAINTENANCE. OKAY, THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER TERRY. OH, DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS? ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE AYE, OPPOSED HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES [H.3 To discuss and take possible action regarding the appointment of Richard Sitton and Danie Teltow to the board of directors of Reinvestment Zone Number One, City of Lockhart, Texas.] ITEM H3 DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF RICHARD SITTON AND DANNY. ANY TELLTALE. TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER ONE, CITY OF LOCKHART, TEXAS. COMMISSIONERS, IT IS EXACTLY WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE. IT'S A REINVESTMENT ZONE, AND WE HAVE TO APPOINT TWO PEOPLE TO IT. IT'S FOR THE DEAL ON, I THINK THIS IS FOR, ANYWAY, WE HAVE TO APPOINT TWO PEOPLE. WE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE BEST TO APPOINT TWO STAFF MEMBERS RATHER THAN TWO ELECTED OFFICIALS, BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW HOW THAT CAN GO. SO, UNLESS THERE'S ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, I'D LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE. I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY [00:35:01] COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. WE HAVE A SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TERRIO. ANY DISCUSSION? HAD THEY VOLUNTEERED? THEY WERE VOLUNTOLD. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. [H.4 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Amended Interlocal Agreement between Caldwell County and other participating entities for the implementation of the Plum Creek Watershed Protection Plan. ] ITEM H4, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE AMENDED INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN COLLIER COUNTY AND OTHER PARTICIPATING ENTITIES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PLUM CREEK WATERSHED PROTECTION PLAN I'LL TAKE THAT ONE. I'M PROBABLY A LITTLE FAMILIAR WITH IT. YES, SIR. THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT THAT IS SIGNED BY ALL OF THE ENTITIES THAT ARE PARTICIPATING IN THIS, IT HAD A TERMINATION CLAUSE IN IT THAT WAS A ONE-SENTENCE CLAUSE. THAT SAID, IF FEDERAL FUNDING WAS TERMINATED, THAT THE PARTNERSHIP ITSELF, THE FUNDING AGREEMENT, WOULD BE TERMINATED. THE FUNDING FOR IT WAS SUSPENDED THROUGH EPA BACK IN FALL OF LAST YEAR. HOWEVER, THE STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION BOARD BACKFILLED THAT WITH STATE DOLLARS INSTEAD OF FEDERAL DOLLARS. AND SO JUST TO CLEAN UP THE MECHANISM THERE, THIS IS AMENDING THAT SPECIFIC LINE TO REMOVE THAT HARD CLAUSE OF FEDERAL FUNDING. AND IT JUST SAYS, WHEN FUNDING IS NOT ALLOCATED THAT IT WILL BE TERMINATED. BUT JUST AS A SIDE NOTE, WE'RE NOT A FUNDING MEMBER OF THE AGREEMENT. ALL OF OUR DONATION IS IN-KIND. WITH THAT, I WILL MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM H-4. OKAY, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM H-4 BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORN. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, [H.5 To discuss and take possible action regarding the reappointment of Danney Rodgers to the ESD #5 Board of Directors for a two-year term, commencing January 1, 2026.] MOTION CARRIES. ITEM H-5, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE REAPPOINTMENT OF DANNY ROGERS, THE ESD NUMBER 5, BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR A TWO-TERM... COMMENCING JANUARY 1ST, 2026, COMMISSIONER, THIS IS MY BAD. I SHOULD HAVE HAD HIM ON HERE LAST MONTH. I FAILED TO DO SO. DANNY'S DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB ON THAT ESD. I'D LIKE FOR YOU ALL TO CONSIDER REAPPOINTING HIM. I TAKE THE MOTION TO REAPPOINT CHIEF ROGERS. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. I OPPOSE HEARING NONE. [H.6 To discuss and take possible action regarding a Proclamation recognizing February 22, 2026, as President George Washington Day in Caldwell County.] MOTION CARRIES ITEM H6 DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 22ND, 2026 AS PRESIDENT. GEORGE WASHINGTON DAY IN COLWELL COUNTY. RANDY, YOU WANT TO COME UP AND SAY ANYTHING? THANK YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M RANDY TAIL AND I BELONG TO THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. WILLIAM HIGHTOWER CHAPTER IN THE BRONFELS, WHICH COVERS COMAL, GUADALUPE, HAYS, AND CALDWELL COUNTY. THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION IS A PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATION AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVEL THAT SUPPORTS THE PRESERVATION OF AMERICAN HISTORY. AS IT RELATES TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND THE PATRIOTS WHO SUPPORTED THAT CAUSE. WE DO THAT MAINLY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. ROTC AWARDS, PROGRAMS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND HONOR GUARDS, AND TO MAKE, YOU KNOW, THAT PRESENCE KNOWN. WE WANT TO, WE'RE REQUESTING THIS PROCLAMATION JUST TO, AGAIN, REITERATE GEORGE WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY. IT'S FEBRUARY 22ND, AND TO REFLECT ON HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND THE AMERICAN NATION THAT WE LIVE IN TODAY. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THE PROCLAMATION. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 22ND, 2026 AS PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON DAY IN CALDWELL COUNTY, WHEREAS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WAS ESTABLISHED FOLLOWING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR FROM 1776 TO 1783, A WAR WON THROUGH THE BRILLIANT AND COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, REVERED FATHER OF OUR NATION, AND WHEREAS GEORGE WASHINGTON, WHO LIVED FROM 1732 TO 1799, MOBILIZED THE CONTINENTAL ARMY AND LED THE AMERICAN COLONIES, AGAINST THE MOST POWERFUL COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, DEFEATING THE BRITISH AT THE FAMOUS BATTLE OF YORKTOWN, VIRGINIA, AND WHEREAS GEORGE WASHINGTON RESISTED THE EFFORTS OF MANY SUPPORTERS TO MAKE HIM A KING OR DICTATOR, INSTEAD USING HIS INFLUENCE AND POWER TO SUPPORT THE CREATION AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND WHEREAS GEORGE WASHINGTON WAS ELECTED AS THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, SERVING TWO TERMS OF OFFICE FROM 1789 TO 1797, AND THROUGH HIS DEVOTION, WISDOM, VISION, BECAME AN EXEMPLAR OF DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP FOR ALL FUTURE PRESIDENTS. AND WHEREAS THE WILLIAM TOWER [00:40:02] CHAPTER OF THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION WISHES TO ENCOURAGE ALL CITIZENS TO RECOGNIZE THE APOC, THE APOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON TO OUR NATION. BY CELEBRATING HIS BIRTH ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND, 2026. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT, CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS, THAT FEBRUARY 22ND, 2026, IS HEREBY RECOGNIZED GEORGE, PRESIDENT, GEORGE WASHINGTON DAY. COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. I'LL SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TERRIO. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES. I THINK RANDY WOULD LIKE A PICTURE. [H.7 To discuss and take possible action regarding a Caldwell County Burn Ban. ] OKAY, HECTOR'S DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING COLWELL COUNTY BURN BAN. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONER, STAFF, AND GALLERY. WE'VE HAD A FEW FIRES IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. MOSTLY, THE FIRES HAVE BEEN BY PEOPLE BURNING TRASH AND NOT ATTENDING THEIR FIRES AND BURNING DURING HIGH WINDS, WHICH THE FIRES HAVE TAKEN OFF. THANKS TO OUR LOCAL VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS, THEY PUT THE FIRES OUT QUICKLY AND DIDN'T CONSUME A LOT OF ACREAGE. CURRENTLY, THE TEXAS FOREST SERVICE IS LISTING ALL CENTRAL TEXAS COUNTIES AS BEING UNDER CRITICAL FIRE DANGER. TO THE WEST OF US, IN THE EDWARDS PLATEAU, RIO GRANDE PLATEAU, THEY'RE UNDER A RED FLAG WARNING TODAY FROM 11 A.M. TO 7 P.M. TONIGHT DUE TO HIGH WINDS AND THE FIRE DANGER. THERE IS A CHANCE OF RAIN ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY OF NEXT WEEK, WITH A 20 PERCENT. THERE'S ALSO A CHANCE THAT A LOAD THAT'S FORMING OUT CALIFORNIA AND MOVING TOWARD THE CENTRAL PARTS OF THE U.S. MIGHT PLANT ITSELF OVER OKLAHOMA. GIVING US SOME GOOD CHANCES OF RAIN SOMETIME WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO. RIGHT NOW, CURRENTLY, OUR KBDI NUMBERS MINIMUM 496, MAXIMUM 639, AVERAGE 595, WITH A CHANGE OF PLUS 2 AND RISING. I'M GONNA RECOMMEND TO COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT WE EXTEND THE BURN BAN ANOTHER TWO WEEKS TO SUFFICIENT RAIN. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS SO MOVED TO EXTEND. MOVED TO EXTEND THE BURN, MOTION TO EXTEND THE BURN BAN BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. [H.8 To discuss and take possible action on request from Constable PCT. 1 to reclass a vacant part-time position to a part-time administrative clerk. ] THANK YOU, HECTOR. ITEM H8, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON REQUEST FROM CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1, TO RECLASS A VACANT PART-TIME POSITION TO A PART-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK. DANNY? YES, GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THIS ONE'S PRETTY SELF-EXPLANATORY. THERE'S BEEN A VACANT PART-TIME POSITION AS A DEPUTY IN PRECINCT 1 CONSTABLE OFFICE, BUT THEY'VE REQUESTED TO TURN THAT AND RECLASS THAT INTO A PART-TIME ADMIN ASSISTANT. JUST BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN INUNDATED WITH A LOT OF ADMINISTRATIVE WORK AND STUFF LIKE THAT. I KNOW PRECINCT 4 HAS ONE, AND IT'S HELPED OUT THEIR OFFICE QUITE A BIT. THIS IS AT ZERO COST. WE'RE JUST BASICALLY RECLASSING THE... PART-TIME DEPUTY TO THE ADMIN OKAY, COMMISSIONERS. WELL, I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM H8 MOVE APPROVAL OF H8 BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIAULT? ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE AYE [H.9 To discuss and take possible action to accept a donated ballistic shield from the United States Deputy Sheriffs Association for use by the Caldwell County Constable’s Office, PCT. 2.] OPPOSED HEARING. NONE MOTION CARRIES ITEM H9 DISCUSSION. TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION TO ACCEPT A DONATED BALLISTIC SHIELD FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPUTY SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION FOR USE BY COLWELL COUNTY CONSTABLE'S OFFICE, PRECINCT TWO. JUDGE, CONSTABLE IS AT A CONFERENCE, CONSTABLE EASTERLING, SO HE SENT ME A TWO-PAGE REPORT ON WHAT HE WANTED TO SAY. HE WANTS TO EXTEND HIS THANKS OUT TO THE UNITED STATES DEPUTY SHERIFFS FOR DONATING THESE BALLISTIC SHIELDS TO HIS PRECINCT. WE ALL KNOW WHAT THEY'RE FOR, THE SAFETY OF OUR OFFICERS. SO, WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'D LIKE TO ACCEPT THIS DONATION, OR I MOVE TO ACCEPT THIS DONATION FOR [00:45:02] PRECINCT 2. OKAY, THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE BALLISTIC SHIELD BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND? IN THE DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE AYE OPPOSED HEARING. NONE. MOTION CARRIES. [H.10 To discuss and take possible action regarding Budget Transfer 03-2026, moving $2,000.00 from Dues & Subscriptions (001-4321-3050) into Machinery & Equipment (001-4321-5310) to cover handheld radios for communication with other agencies and dispatch services. ] ITEM H10. DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BUDGET TRANSFER. ZERO, THREE, TWO, OH, TWO, SIX, MOVING $2,000 FROM DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. 0 0 1 4, 3, 2, 1, 3 0, 5 0 IN THE MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT 0 0 1 4, 3, 2, 1, 5 3, 1 0 TO COVER HANDHELD RADIOS FOR COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES AND DISPATCH SERVICES. YEP, PRETTY SELF-EXPLANATORY ON THIS ONE, TOO. THIS IS JUST AN INTERNAL TRANSFER OF MOVING FROM 2000 FROM ONE LINE ITEM TO THE OTHER. SO THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THESE. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND FOR H10. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO HOLD ITEM H11, H12, AND H13 UNTIL [I. EXECUTIVE SESSION] AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION AND MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 946 PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551087. DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH PROJECT BUMBLEBEE, PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551087, DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH PROJECT BLUE SKY, AND PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551087, DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, NEGOTIATIONS. ASSOCIATED WITH PRIME DATA CENTER. WE ARE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND WE'LL MEET IN MY CHAMBERS. BE BACK AS SOON AS WE'RE DONE. OKAY, WE'RE WE'RE LEAVING. EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551087 DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT BUMBLEBEE AND NO ACTION WILL FOLLOW AN OPEN COURT. PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551087 DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT BLUE SKY. NO ACTION WILL FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551087, DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PRIME DATA CENTER. NO ACTION WILL FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT. AND WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO ITEM J, ADJOURNMENT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? MOVE TO ADJOURN. MOTION DO WE HAVE A SECOND, SECOND, SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE AYE OPPOSED. HEARING THAT MOTION CARRIES ONE QUICK THING. BEFORE I GIVE THE TIME FOR ADJOURNMENT, WE NEED TO TABLE H 11, 12 AND 13. I'LL MOVE THE TABLE H 11, 12 AND 13, OKAY, MOTION TO. HAVE SECOND, SECOND, SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE AYE OPPOSED HEARING. NONE. WE'RE ADJOURNED AT 1120. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.