Mar 26, 2026 Commissioners Court

[00:00:02]

ALL RIGHT, GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

[A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER]

WE'RE CALLING THE MEETING TO ORDER THURSDAY, MARCH 22ND, 26TH. I CAN'T READ.

2026 AT 9 A.M.

IF YOU'LL JOIN ME FOR THE INVOCATION AND TIMOTHY PARKER'S GOING TO GIVE A SERVICE.

IF Y'ALL WOULD JOIN ME IN PRAYER.

FATHER, WE'RE FORTUNATE TO REMEMBER THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NEXT TWO WEEKENDS FOR THOSE IN THE CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS, FATHER.

AND SPECIFICALLY WITH THIS COMING SUNDAY, AND FATHER, SERVANT LEADERSHIP DEMONSTRATED GRACE, HUMILITY, WITH JESUS RIDING INTO JERUSALEM ON THAT DONKEY.

AND FATHER, I THINK ABOUT THAT GRACE, AND I THINK ABOUT THAT SERVANT LEADERSHIP, AND THEN HOW THINGS TURN AFTER THE GREAT SUPPER AND GO INTO WHAT WE CALL...

GOOD FRIDAY, BUT FOR SOME IT WAS A HOPELESS DAY.

BUT THREE DAYS LATER, IT BECAME A VERY HOPE-FILLED DAY.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, FATHER, IS A LOT OF HOPE.

AND FATHER, WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THAT AND THAT SACRIFICE THAT YOU MADE.

AND FATHER, WITH THESE MEN IN FRONT OF ME HERE TODAY, I PRAY A BLESSING ON COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND, ON COMMISSIONER HORNE, ON JUDGE HADEN.

ON COMMISSIONER THERIOT, AS WELL COMMISSIONER THOMAS, THE STAFF THAT WORK WITH THEM HERE AT THE COUNTY TO MY LEFT, RIGHT, AND BEHIND ME, AS WELL AS OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS, OUR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS.

FATHER, I PRAY A BLESSING FOR ALL THOSE, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE ROOM, FOR BUSINESS HERE TODAY OF THE COUNTY.

I JUST ASK THAT YOU WOULD BLESS EVERYONE, GUIDE, LEAD, AND DIRECT US IN THE POWER OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT.

GIVE US THE WORDS TO USE AND THE ACTIONS TO TAKE TODAY TO THE BENEFIT OF THE COUNTY.

AND WE THANK YOU AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE SACRIFICE YOU MADE FOR US.

BLESS THIS TIME HERE TODAY IN YOUR SON'S NAME, IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT.

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.

OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, ARE THERE

[D. ANNOUNCEMENTS]

JUDGE, I HAVE ONE.

TODAY, BETWEEN 11 AND 1 AND 5 TO 7, THE LUTON TRANSPORTATION PLAN IS AN OPEN PUBLIC STUDY AND WHAT'S GOING ON THERE.

IF YOU'RE AROUND, IT'S AT THE ZEDLER MILL.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER THERIOT, COMMISSIONER THOMAS.

NONE YET.

OKAY, I HAVE NONE.

ANY STAFF ANNOUNCEMENT? NOPE.

OKAY, THEN WE'LL GO TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

WITH THAT, WE'LL GO

[F. CONSENT AGENDA]

COMMISSIONERS, IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ABOUT CONSENT, LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE.

MOVE TO APPROVE.

MOVE TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER HORNE.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR OF DISCUSSION? NO? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.

JUDGE.

OH, OKAY.

[E. CITIZENS' COMMENTS]

ALL RIGHT.

JOHN CASTILLO.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

I'M JUST HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE TAX ABATEMENT THAT YOU'RE OFFERING.

I JUST FEEL LIKE, YOU KNOW, I WAS AT A WORKSHOP A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHERE, YOU KNOW, THE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS WERE POINTING THE FINGER TO BLAME THE LEGISLATURE OR BLAME THE CONGRESSMEN OR BLAME THE STATE SENATORS FOR NOT ACTING TO PROTECT THE COUNTY AND ITS INTERESTS WHEN IT COMES TO DATA CENTERS.

AND THE THING THAT GETS ME, THAT DISAPPOINTS ME IS THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT OFFERING THE CITIZENS OF CALDWELL COUNTY TAX ABATEMENTS.

YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY'RE BEHIND OR THEY'RE DELINQUENT, WE GO AFTER THEM AND WE ASK FOR THEM TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.

AND THE WAY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMS, WE WENT FROM 8-TRACK TAPES, CASSETTES.

TAPES TO CD PLAYERS

[00:05:02]

SO TECHNOLOGY EVOLVES.

SO IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS, YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE IT AN ABATEMENT.

THERE'LL BE ANOTHER DATA CENTER TREND OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT COMES ALONG.

SO ONCE YOU GIVE THAT 10-YEAR ABATEMENT, THEY'RE GOING TO BE LONG GONE AND MOVED ON.

SO I'M JUST SAYING BEFORE YOU START HANDING OUT AND TRY TO POINT THE FINGER SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT YOU KNOW THE RESPONSIBILITY FALLS ON Y'ALL AND THE ONLY REGRET IS I DIDN'T RUN FOR THIS POSITION FOUR YEARS EARLIER THANK YOU SO HE STOPPED THIS ANY OTHERS OKAY THANK YOU ALL RIGHT WE SEE WE GOT A PRESENTATION NEXT THE

[G.1 Hays County Child Protective Board - Hays Caldwell County Collaboration Committee presentation on child welfare data and collaborative efforts between Hays and Caldwell Counties. Presenters: Dr. Karen Brown, Board Member, and Mary Cauble, Treasurer]

GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS KAREN BROWN AND I'M HERE WITH OTHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HAYES THE HAYS COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE BOARD.

WE ALSO HAVE A STAFF MEMBER, A CALDWELL SUPERVISOR WITH US THIS MORNING.

WE THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO US THIS MORNING.

THIS SHOWS YOUR WILLINGNESS AND DETERMINATION TO HELP THE ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN OF THIS COUNTY.

AND I WANT TO ALSO THANK, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE IN THE COURTROOM, BUT I ALSO WANT TO THANK MS. CHAN AND MS. MCKEE FOR HELPING NAVIGATE HOW TO GET INTO THE COURT, OKAY, BECAUSE WE WEREN'T QUITE SURE.

MEMBERS OF THE HAYS COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE BOARD THAT ARE WITH US THIS MORNING ARE OUR PRESIDENT DIXIE, BOARD MEMBERS COURTNEY POOLE, AND STAFF MEMBER ABBY.

MENDES.

ALSO WE HAVE WITH US CLARA LEE DIAZ WHO IS A CALDWELL COUNTY SUPERVISOR AND MARY BETH GONZALEZ WHO IS A KINSHIP WORKER AND THEY BOTH ARE FROM CALDWELL COUNTY AND THEY WILL HAVE SOME THINGS TO SHARE WITH YOU.

KEY TO EVERYTHING THE WORKERS IN HAYES IN CALDWELL COUNTY THE HAYES COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE BOARD HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE THE 1970S AND WE HAVE HAD A CONTINUOUS POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FROM NIGHT FROM THE 1970S TO THE PRESENT DAY WE ARE APPOINTED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

I THINK Y'ALL HAVE HAD A BOARD BEFORE, SO YOU KNOW THAT YOU APPOINT THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

OUR PURPOSE IS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO ARE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES CLIENTS.

WE MEET THESE NEEDS NOT ADDRESSED BY ANY OTHER ENTITY IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE ALSO AIM TO PROMOTE THE SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL HAYS COUNTY CHILDREN.

WE SERVE THESE CLIENTS AND FAMILIES IN TWO WAYS PRIMARILY.

ONE IS BY SUPPLYING EMERGENCY ITEMS SUCH AS CLOTHES, DIAPERS, LIFE KITS, BEDS, AND VARIOUS OTHER EMERGENCY NEEDS.

THESE ARE STORED IN FREESTANDING RAINBOW ROOM AND DISTRIBUTED FROM THAT RAINBOW ROOM.

SECONDLY, WE REVIEW AND ADDRESS CPS CASEWORKER REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN.

I MEAN EVERYTHING.

FOR FINANCIAL, I MEAN FOR RENTAL NEEDS, FOR CAMPS FOR THE CHILDREN, EYEGLASSES, BAND INSTRUMENTS, THANK YOU.

YOU NAME IT, ANYTHING THAT HELPS MAKE THE CHILDREN'S LIVES MORE NORMAL.

SO, WE HAVE THE DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS, AND THEN WE HAVE FINANCIALS.

APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS AGO, CPS WORKERS WHO WERE ASSIGNED

[00:10:02]

BUT THEY SAID, WE FEEL AWFUL GETTING SUPPLIES FOR THE HAYES KIDS, BUT NOT FOR OUR CALDWELL CLIENTS AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

SO THEY ASKED US, COULD THEY GET SUPPLIES FROM OUR RAINBOW ROOM IN HAYES COUNTY? AND WE THE THE BOARD DELIBERATED.

WE CONSULTED WITH OUR OWN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WHO I THINK WERE BEING VERY GENEROUS, AND WE DECIDED, YES, OKAY, YOU CAN GET ITEMS FOR YOUR KIDS.

WELL, THAT OPENED A PANDORA'S BOX, BECAUSE THEN THE CASEWORKERS STARTED SAYING, THE CALDWELL CASEWORKERS STARTED SAYING, WELL, CAN WE PLEASE MAKE FINANCIAL REQUESTS TO THE BOARD? AND AGAIN, WE...

DELIBERATED AND WE SAID OKAY AND WE DELIBERATED NOT ONLY WITH OUR COMMISSIONERS BUT WITH WITH ONE OF YOUR BOARD ONE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND WITH YOU JUDGE HADEN I REMEMBER WE HAD SOME MEETINGS WE ALSO CONSULTED WITH SOME LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE SAID WE'VE BEEN ASKED TO PROVIDE NOT ONLY SUPPLIES BUT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO YOUR CHILDREN WHO ARE ABUSED OR NEGLECTED OR IN DANGER OF BEING.

SO AFTER THOSE DISCUSSIONS, WE AGREED THAT WE WOULD, ONE, REVIEW AND HONOR CPS REQUESTS FOR CALDWELL KIDS AND FAMILIES ON A TEMPORARY BASIS.

THIS WAS A TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT FROM OUR STANDPOINT.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE STIPULATIONS THAT IT WOULD BE TEMPORARY WHILE CALDWELL COUNTY OFFICIALS AND CITIZENS WORKED ON AND IMPLEMENTED A WAY TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF KIDS IN CALDWELL COUNTY.

THE SECOND THING WAS THAT WE DID EMPHASIZE THAT THIS WOULD BE TEMPORARY.

OUR BOARD HAS AND STILL DOES HONOR REQUESTS FOR CALDWELL KIDS BUT THIS IS BASED ON THE NOTION THAT IF WE HAVE ENOUGH FINANCIAL RESOURCES WE WILL HAVE TO MEET WE HAVE TO BECAUSE OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO HAYES COUNTY WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THE HAYES CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FIRST WE HAVE TO AND THEN IF WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY WE WILL ...REPORT THE REQUEST FOR CALDWELL KIDS.

Y'ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING? YES, MA'AM.

OKAY.

IT'S NOT THAT WE CARE LESS ABOUT THE CALDWELL KIDS, IT'S JUST THAT WE CAN'T DO BOTH, OR WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE THE HAYS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

OUR BOARD HAS, AND STILL DOES, PROVIDE ITEMS THROUGH OUR RAINBOW ROOM.

OUR BOARD HAS REVIEWED LITERALLY AND I'M SAYING THIS LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE FOR CALDWELL CLIENTS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND CLARICE DIAZ CPS SUPERVISOR FOR CALDWELL COUNTY IS GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU AN EXAMPLE OF JUST ONE OF THOSE HUNDREDS OF CASES THAT WE HAVE FUNDED HELLO, YOUR HONOR AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS CLARICE DIAZ.

I AM THE CURRENT CALDWELL COUNTY CPS SUPERVISOR OVERSEEING A UNIT OF CASEWORKERS WHO SPECIALIZE IN WORKING WITH CHILDREN WHOSE FAMILY'S CHILDREN ARE IN STATE CUSTODY, SO THEY HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THEIR PARENTS.

THEIR CASES TYPICALLY LAST A YEAR TO A YEAR AND A HALF AND WE WORK DILIGENTLY TO REUNITE.

CHILDREN WITH THEIR PARENTS IF IT IS SAFE TO DO SO OR WE FIND ALTERNATIVE METHODS IF NEEDED BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE A CALDWELL COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARD WE HAVE LEANED ON THE HAYS COUNTY BOARD AS A RESOURCE TO FILL IN THE FINANCIAL GAPS THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS BECAUSE WE DO HAVE LIMITED FUNDING THE BOARD RECEIVES REQUESTS FROM ALL STAGES OF SERVICE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT NOT JUST THE ONE THAT I OVERSEE AND BEFORE I PROCEED WITH THIS CASE I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT KNOWN THAT I'VE CHANGED THE IDENTIFYING DETAILS.

TO MAINTAIN THE

[00:15:01]

OF THE CPS CASES.

ONE OF THE MANY TYPES OF REQUESTS THAT THE BOARD APPROVES, SOME HAVE DIRECTLY PREVENTED THE REMOVAL OF CHILDREN WHO LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY, SUCH AS A $1,000 REQUEST FOR THE FAMILY TO HELP PAY FOR CLEANING SERVICES AND HOUSE REPAIRS TO PROVIDE A SAFE HOME FOR THE CHILDREN TO CONTINUE TO LIVE IN.

THEY'VE APPROVED A $700 REQUEST TO CREATE A SAFE SLEEPING ARRANGEMENT.

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CHILDREN IN ANOTHER FAMILY'S HOME AND A $300 REQUEST FOR IMMEDIATE RESOURCE ASSISTANCE TO HELP A RELATIVE STRUGGLING TO PROVIDE FOR A CHILD AS THE PARENTS LEFT THE CHILD WITH THIS RELATIVE WITHOUT ANY NEED ANY ASSISTANCE IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE FUNDS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN IMMEDIATELY RECEIVED BY OTHER RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY OR BY OTHER GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND WHEN OUR REQUESTS ARE QUICKLY APPROVED THEY MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE AND DIRECTLY PLAY A HUGE ROLE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, BEING ABLE TO STAY AND LIVE IN THEIR SAFE HOMES AND HAVE THEIR BASIC NEEDS MET.

IT ALLEVIATES THE CHANCE FOR ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY ARE ABLE TO STAY SAFELY WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY.

THERE ARE PAST APPROVALS AS WELL THAT HAVE ALSO HAD LONG-LASTING IMPACT WITH MULTIPLE FAMILIES WE CURRENTLY SERVE.

THE BOARD APPROVED $1,000 FOR THE REFURBISHMENT OF THE LOCKHART.

CPS OFFICE RIGHT DOWN THE STREET TO REFURBISH THE CHILD VISITATION ROOM AND WITH THOSE FUNDS WE WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE FURNITURE TO REPLACE BROKEN AND WORN OUT COUCHES BOOKSHELVES TABLES TOYS EVEN EVEN THE AUDIO MONITORS JUST SO WE CAN SUPERVISE THOSE VISITS FOR FAMILIES WHO USE THIS OFFICE WEEKLY TO VISIT THEIR CHILDREN IN A SUPERVISED SETTING THE REPLACEMENTS WERE EASILY NOTICED AND HIGHLY APPRECIATED THANK YOU YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN A SUMMARY REPORT AND A DETAILED REPORT OF OUR EXPENDITURES FOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PROVIDED TO HAYES AND CALDWELL COUNTY CHILDREN OVER THE LAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS.

IT WAS IN YOUR PAST.

SUPPORT FOR CALDWELL COUNTY CHILDREN ROSE FROM $2,488 IN FY 2023.

TO OVER $34,000 IN FY 2025.

IN 2024, WE APPLIED FOR AND RECEIVED A GRANT THAT INCLUDED SUPPORT FOR CALDWELL COUNTY CHILDREN.

THIS GRANT ALLOWED FOR THE INCREASE IN SUPPORT FOR YOUR CHILDREN.

HOWEVER, THIS YEAR, THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT REQUESTED FOR CALDWELL COUNTY CONTINUES TO RISE AND EXCEED OUR ABILITY TO MEET IT.

CLARA LEIS WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF A REQUEST THAT LACK OF FUNDING FORCED US TO DENY AND THIS IS HEARTBREAKING FOR OUR BOARD.

THEY ARE HARD DECISIONS.

HELLO AGAIN.

SO EARLIER I SPOKE OF THE POSITIVE DIFFERENCE THE HAYS COUNTY BOARD HAS HAD ON THE CALDWELL COUNTY FAMILIES WHEN THEY APPROVE THEIR REQUESTS.

NOW I'LL BE HIGHLIGHTING A FEW OF THE RAMIFICATIONS THAT COME FROM DENIED REQUESTS BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN QUITE A FEW.

THERE WAS A $1,900 REQUEST THAT WAS MADE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE OF A HARD-WORKING, FULL-TIME WORKING PARENT WHO WAS REUNIFIED WITH THEIR CHILD WITH LIMITED FAMILIAL SUPPORT.

THEY RELIED ON THEIR TRANSPORTATION.

IT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR THEM TO TAKE THEIR CHILD TO DAYCARE AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT TO FINANCIALLY PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES AND THE CHILD SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT NEED TO FINANCIALLY DEPEND ON THEIR ALLEGED ABUSER.

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS REQUEST WAS DENIED AND THE PARENT LOST THE ABILITY TO TAKE THE CHILD TO DAYCARE.

AND ALTHOUGH WE HELPED WITH TRANSPORTATION WHEN WE COULD, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO ASSIST ON A CONSISTENT BASIS.

ULTIMATELY, THEY WERE LET GO FROM THEIR JOB, AND THEY ARE NOW FAR FROM THE FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE THAT THEY ONCE.

ALTHOUGH THIS PARENT HAS PUT IN THE WORK, MADE POSITIVE AND SAFE BEHAVIOR CHANGES TO REUNITE WITH THEIR CHILD, WE CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF WE'RE SETTING THEM UP TO FAIL AT THE CLOSURE OF THIS CASE, AND IF THEY REALLY WILL BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR CHILD WITHOUT NEED FOR FURTHER INTERVENTION FROM US IN THE FUTURE.

ANOTHER DENIED REQUEST WAS FOR $500 TO GO TOWARDS A PARENTING CLASS PROVIDER WHO ONLY ACCEPTED PRIVATE PAY.

[00:20:01]

THE DEPARTMENT DOES CONTRACT WITH LIMITED PARENTING CLASS PROVIDERS IN THIS COUNTY, AND NONE OF THEM FOCUS OR HAVE THE COMPONENT FOR PARENTS WITH CHILDREN WHO ARE INTELLECTUALLY OR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED.

WHILE THIS PARENT DID COMPLETE THE STANDARD PARENTING CLASS REQUESTED OF THEM AT OUR EXPENSE, IT DID NOT PROVIDE THE TRAINING ACTUALLY TAILORED TO THEIR CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

WHICH IS CRUCIAL FOR THE FOUNDATION OF A SUCCESSFUL REUNIFICATION WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

IT LEAVES US ALSO TO QUESTION IF WE HAVE MERELY BAND-AIDED THIS SITUATION OR MADE A LIFELONG IMPACTFUL CHANGE.

AND LASTLY, WHEN A CHILD IS REMOVED AND PLACED WITH RELATIVES, WE PROVIDE LITTLE TO NO IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

IT IS VERY COMMON FOR CAREGIVERS TO REQUEST IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO OFFSET THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH INITIALLY BRINGING A CHILD INTO THEIR HOME.

COSTS INCLUDE LOST WAGES FROM TAKING TIME OFF FROM WORK TO TAKE THE CHILD OR MULTIPLE CHILDREN IN SOME INSTANCES TO THE DEPARTMENT REQUIRED MEDICAL, DENTAL AND MENTAL HEALTH APPOINTMENTS, TAKING TIME OFF TO ENROLL THEM IN SCHOOL OR LOOK FOR DAYCARE AND ADDITIONAL TIME OFF MAY BE NEEDED TO COMFORT THE CHILDREN DUE TO JUST EXTREME CHANGES THAT THE CHILDREN AND THE FAMILIES ARE EXPERIENCING AT THAT TIME.

THEY MAY REQUEST ASSISTANCE FOR A UTILITY BILL, IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE FOR DAYCARE SERVICES SO THEY CAN RETURN TO WORK, OR EVEN JUST A GIFT CARD TO PURCHASE THESE ITEMS THAT THE PARENT MAY NOT HAVE PROVIDED AND IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN THE EMERGENCY RAINBOW ROOMS. WHEN THESE $200 TO $400 REQUESTS ARE DENIED, IT PUTS CONSIDERABLE INITIAL STRAIN ON THE FAMILIES DURING A TIME THAT IS ALREADY INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT AND STRESSFUL.

AND THE DEPARTMENT AIMS TO QUICKLY REQUEST DAYCARE ASSISTANCE AND MONTHLY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CAREGIVERS WHEN A CHILD IS PLACED IN THEIR HOME.

HOWEVER, THESE REQUESTS ARE SUBJECT TO DENIAL.

THEY ARE NOT ALWAYS APPROVED AND CAN TAKE MORE THAN 30 DAYS FOR PROCESSING.

THESE DENIALS HAVE PRESENTED UNIQUE CHALLENGES IN THIS COMMUNITY AND THE CASES THAT I WORK, AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION TO OVERCOME THEM ALL.

CAN I ASK A QUESTION ABOUT, I'M SITTING HERE LOOKING AT THE, FINANCIALS THAT YOU GUYS PROVIDED AND IN 2025 IT WAS THIRTY FOUR THOUSAND TWELVE DOLLARS EIGHTY FIVE CENTS IS THAT ACTUALLY WHAT YOU WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE OR DOES THAT SO THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE WHAT YOU HAD TO DENY LIKE THE CASES YOU JUST THAT INCLUDE THAT IS WHAT WE PROVIDED OKAY SO SO THERE WAS OTHER OTHER MONIES THAT YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO DO JUST LIKE THIS WE HAD TO DECLINE BUT IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THAT MUCH MONEY TO ME COMMISSION THOUSAND BUCKS SO WE WE PROBABLY NEED TO REVISIT THIS WITH YOU GUYS AGAIN AND I APOLOGIZE I KNOW WE MET PROBABLY WAY OVER A YEAR AGO BUT WE WE PROBABLY NEED TO RE-ENGAGE IN THIS AND I'LL SEE IF I CAN GET SOME STAFF TO HELP ME RE-ENGAGE IN THIS BECAUSE THIS ISN'T IN THE GREAT GRAND SCHEME OF OUR BUDGET THIS IS NOT VERY SO I WOULD I WOULD LIKE TO BASED ON OUR 2020 BUDGET AND THE CHILD POPULATIONS IN HAYS AND CALDWELL COUNTIES AND THE CURRENT RATE OF REQUESTS WE ARE SEEING FOR CALDWELL CHILDREN, WE ARE ASKING FOR $30,000, AND THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO FINISH THIS FISCAL YEAR.

THAT $30,000 INCREASE IN OUR BUDGET WILL ASSIST THE HAYS COUNTY BOARD.

IN CONTINUING TO MEET THE CRITICAL NEEDS OF CALDWELL COUNTY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN CPS CARE.

SO WE WOULD GREATLY, YES.

SO, BUT THAT'S TO GET YOU THROUGH 2026, BUT FOR 2027 AND BEYOND IT WOULD PROBABLY BE MORE LIKE 50.

YES.

OKAY? YES.

OKAY.

IF THAT WAS MY QUOTE YOU ANSWERED MY NEXT QUESTION BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR BOARD UNTIL A TIME THAT WE CAN CREATE A BOARD HERE WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE OKAY AND WE ALSO YOU KNOW WE ARE USED TO PREPARING QUARTERLY REPORTS TO YOU KNOW THE CITY OF BUDA CONTRIBUTES CITY OF SAN MARCOS CONTRIBUTES AND THE HAYS COUNTY OF COURSE AND WE'VE GOT QUARTERLY REPORTS THAT WE SUBMIT TO THOSE ENTITIES SO THAT KEEPS YOU INFORMED ON ON HOW THE MONEY SO I'M GONNA PUT THIS ON THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM I'M

[00:25:02]

GOOD MORNING.

SO SALLY DANIEL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CALDWELL COUNTY FOUNDATION AND I JUST CAME IN SUPPORT OF THE HAYS COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE BOARD AND WANT TO SAY WHAT AN AMAZING MODEL THEY ARE FOR THAT TYPE OF ORGANIZATION AND WHEN THEY REACHED OUT TO ME ABOUT THE SITUATION I OF COURSE WISH THAT THE FOUNDATION HAD FUNDS TO HELP WITH THAT BUT KNEW THAT Y'ALL WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE THESE CHILDREN ARE TAKEN CARE OF AND SO I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT I AM TRYING TO WORK WITH THEM TO CREATE A BOARD IN CALDWELL COUNTY AND JUST JUST TO HELP MAKE THAT HAPPEN AND SO WE'LL BE REACHING OUT TO ALL OF YOU IF YOU JUST BE THINKING ABOUT WHO IN YOUR PRECINCT MIGHT BE SOMEONE REALLY COMMITTED TO STEP UP AND TAKE ON THAT ROLE BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT BUT IT HAS TO BE SOMEONE REALLY DEDICATED AND YOU KNOW.

GO THROUGH ALL THAT PROCESS OF BACKGROUND CHECKS AND ALL OF THAT BUT I KNOW THAT CALDWELL COUNTY PEOPLE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN AND I'M VERY CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE GUIDANCE AND HELP OF THE HAYES COUNTY ORGANIZATION WE WILL CREATE A WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND TAKE THIS BURDEN OFF OF THEM BUT THAT'S REALLY ALL I WANTED TO SAY OKAY THANK YOU THANK YOU ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE ABOUT TWO MINUTES.

BEFORE WE HAVE TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING, SO I'M GOING TO SEE IF I CAN FIND AN ITEM THAT WON'T TAKE MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE ITEM

[I.1 To discuss and take possible action regarding the approval of the Minutes for the March 12, 2026, regular meeting.]

COMMISSIONERS? MOVE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

MOVE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES BY COMMISSIONER HORNE.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT.

ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED HEARING NONE.

MOTION CARRIES.

[I.2 To discuss and take possible action regarding the approval of the Minutes for the March 12, 2026, Workshop meeting.]

COMMISSIONERS? MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE ANY DISCUSSION NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE AYE OPPOSED HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES SKIP BY THREE I-4

[I.4 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Development Agreement for EDC Austin, LLC pertaining to 329.893 acres located in Caldwell County, Texas. ]

WE STILL HAVE SOME WORK TO DO ON THAT COMMISSIONER, SO IF I COULD GET A MOTION TO TABLE.

I'LL MOVE TO TABLE.

MOTION TO TABLE BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS.

ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED HEARING NONE.

[H.1 To consider the approval of a tax abatement agreement with EDC Austin, LLC]

ALL RIGHT.

IT'S 9:30.

WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GO TO OUR PUBLIC HEARING.

TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT WITH EDC AND AUSTIN LLC.

THIS IS FOR THE ABATEMENT AGREEMENT COMMISSIONERS, NOT DISCUSSION ACTION, BE CLEAR.

I MEAN, NOT THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.

WE'RE OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 9:30 AND WE'LL LEAVE IT OPEN FOR A FEW MINUTES, SEE IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SPEAK.

[00:31:34]

[I.3 To discuss and take possible action regarding the approval of a tax abatement agreement, pursuant to Chapter 312, Texas Tax Code, that contains the following information]

THAT CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION.

NAME, PROPERTY OWNER AND APPLICANT, EDC, AUSTIN, LLC.

NAME AND LOCATION OF THE REINVESTMENT ZONE, COLWELL COUNTY 142 REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER ONE, LOCATED WITHIN THE FOLLOWING AREA, NORTH CORNER, WEST 97 DEGREES, 49 FEET, 19.16 INCHES, NORTH 29 DEGREES, 51 FEET, 34.36 FEET, EAST CORNER, WEST 97 DEGREES.

48 FEET, 09.03 INCHES NORTH, 29 DEGREES, 51 FEET, 13.37 INCHES SOUTH, WEST, 97 DEGREES, 48 FEET, 40.09 INCHES NORTH, 29 DEGREES, 50 FEET, 55.37 INCHES WEST CORNER, WEST, 97 DEGREES, 48 FEET, 48.38 INCHES NORTH, 29 DEGREES, 51 FEET, 56.8.

SIX INCHES NATURE OF IMPROVEMENTS CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE TURNKEY DATA CENTER CAMPUS ESTIMATED COST OF IMPROVEMENTS SEVEN MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND WITH THAT COMMISSIONERS OPEN THIS THIS UP TO WE'RE GOING TO NEED A MOTION IN A SECOND ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AND THEN WE CAN HAVE DISCUSSION I'LL MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT.

OKAY, I WANT TO GO AHEAD AND OPEN IT UP FOR DISCUSSION.

JUDGE, YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT TAX ABATEMENTS.

YES, SIR.

I THINK WE ALL FEEL THE SAME WAY.

I THINK EVERYBODY SITTING ON THE COURT FEELS IT.

AND I KNOW THE, I UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL HAZARD TO THE COUNTY.

YOU KNOW, IF IT DOESN'T GET APPROVED.

THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS IS THE JOBS.

I'D LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING THAT CAN HELP OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT COMES IN.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T HAVE THE, WE DON'T HAVE, YOU KNOW, THE WHO BUYS THE LAND.

SO I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH JUST THE JOB.

I UNDERSTAND IT TO THE T ON HOW IT COULD BE A POTENTIAL HAZARD.

IT COULD BE FOR THE COUNTY.

I TALKED TO DANNY.

HE TOLD ME ALL THE MATH.

AND, YOU KNOW, I AGREE.

IT'S A VERY LIMITED AMOUNT OF JOBS.

WE'D MUCH PREFER TO HAVE SOME MANUFACTURING COMPANY COME IN.

IT HAS 400.

RATHER THAN, YOU KNOW,

[00:35:01]

SO, BUT THEY'RE VERY HIGH-PAYING JOBS.

AND THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT IS, FOR THOSE WHO CONSTANTLY CALL ME GRIPING ABOUT ALL THE SUBDIVISIONS THAT ARE GOING IN, AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE MOVING HERE, 50 PEOPLE, INSTEAD OF, YOU KNOW, 2,000 PEOPLE TIMES THREE, WHICH IS 06,000.

SO THE FLIP OF THAT COIN IS, IF YOU DON'T LIKE SUBDIVISIONS, THIS IS A GREAT THING FOR YOU.

SO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO EVERY COIN.

THESE ABATEMENTS ARE, YOU KNOW, WE HAD A WORKSHOP ABOUT THIS, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY IT AGAIN.

THEY ARE OUR ONLY MECHANISM TO GET THESE DATA CENTERS TO USE CLOSED-LOOP TECHNOLOGY, WHICH IS WAY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN EVAPORATIVE COOLING.

VAPOR-DOO COOLING USES MILLIONS OF GALLONS A YEAR.

THESE TECHNOLOGIES USE 20, 30, 40,000 GALLONS A MONTH.

SO MUCH, MUCH LESS WATER USAGE, WHICH IS, I THINK, TOP OF MIND FOR ALL OF US.

IF YOUR LIGHTS GO OUT, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DIE.

IF WATER RUNS OUT, YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE IT THREE DAYS.

SO WATER IS CRITICAL.

AND SO IT'S...

AND THIS IS UNFORTUNATELY OUR ONLY MECHANISM.

SOMEBODY JUST A WHILE AGO SAID WE'RE THROWING IT AT THE FEET OF THE LEGISLATURE.

I AM THROWING IT AT THE FEET OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY DO NOT GIVE US THE POWER OR AUTHORITY TO REGULATE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS NATURE.

WE'RE NOT LOOKING TO ZONE.

WE'RE NOT LOOKING TO COME IN AND TELL YOU YOU CAN ONLY DO THIS OR THAT IN YOUR AREA.

BUT WHEN WE DO GET A DEVELOPMENT, WE NEED SOME AUTHORITY.

TO BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE WITH THESE PEOPLE WITHOUT GIVING UP THE FARM ON TAX ABATEMENTS AND WE DO NOT HAVE THAT WITHOUT IT SO IT'S NOT JUST AS SIMPLE AS NOT DOING IT THE OTHER SIDE IS COMMISSIONER HORNE JUST POINTED OUT IS YOU KNOW WHEN YOU WE HAVE NINE BILLION DOLLARS ON OUR TAX ROLLS RIGHT NOW WITH A TAX RATE OF 0.43 THIS DROPS SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS TAX ROLL WHICH WOULD DROP OUR TAX RATE TO 0.2.

IF YOU GET TWO OF THESE IT DROPS OUR TAX RATE TO ZERO AND WE LOSE THE ABILITY TO FUND GOVERNMENT AT THAT POINT.

SO WE REALLY DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF CHOICE IN THE MATTER.

WE'RE NOT GOING OUT LOOKING FOR THESE THINGS.

WE'RE GOING TO BE IN THE LEGISLATURE THE NEXT GO AROUND FIGHTING FOR THAT AUTHORITY ESPECIALLY AND I'M GOING TO BE UP THEY'RE SCREAMING.

LONG AND LOUD, AND I'M GOING TO ASK Y'ALL VERY SOON TO ALLOW US TO HIRE DAVIS AND KAUFMAN AGAIN SO THAT WE CAN START TRYING TO GET SOME LEGISLATION THROUGH VIA SENATORS AFARINI AND REPRESENTATIVE GERDES TO GIVE US THIS AUTHORITY SO THAT WE HAVE SOME ROOM.

BUT RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T HAVE IT.

IF WE GIVE UP THIS OPTION, WE GIVE UP THE ABILITY TO ASK FOR WATER CONSERVATION, AND NO PROBLEM NEXT YEAR.

SO IT'S NOT JUST LAYING AT THE FEET OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE'S A REASON WE SAY THAT.

SO THAT SAID, IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? I AGREE WITH YOU, JUDGE, AND ALSO WITH COMMISSIONER HORNE.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S WITH THE WAY THE LAWS ARE NOW, THERE'S NO OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO JUST MAKE AN UP OR DOWN VOTE.

I'M AN INTO THE, YOU KNOW, IT CAN IT CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT ANY OTHER.

...THAN DRAINAGE PERMITS.

YOU KNOW, THIS OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE, FINANCIALLY SOUND, AND WE'RE ABLE TO ASSESS THE IMPACT ON OUR PAVEMENT SENSATION.

FOR INCREASED SERVICES, HORNE SAID THERE'S NOT A LOT OF JOBS, BUT THE ONES THAT ARE FLIP SIDE IN, THAT'S NOT BRINGING IN, YOU KNOW, THE TYPE OF VEHICLE YOU TYPICALLY SEE THE VEHICLE.

TRIPS.

BIG INDUSTRY THAT IMPACTS OUR ROADWAY SYSTEM.

[00:40:05]

IT'S JUST STRICTLY A FINANCIAL TYPE OF CONSIDERATION.

AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE SOUND FINANCIAL MOVE TO ADDRESS THE TAX ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

AND OUR BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH THIS TYPE OF USE AND THE PARAMETERS THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS GIVEN US.

I MIGHT ALSO MENTION, SPEAKING OF THE LEGISLATURE AGAIN, THAT EVERY SESSION, EVERY SINGLE SESSION, ONE PARTICULAR SENATOR WANTS TO EVEN TAKE THIS FROM US.

THEY WANT TO TAKE AWAY 312S AND 381S, AND THEY WANT US TO...

TO DROP OUR ARE YOU HEAR IT ALL THE TIME I GOT ASKED IN THE FORUM ARE YOU WILLING TO GO TO TO KNOW HAVE A LOWER TAX ARE YOU FOR THAT WELL SHE YEAH PAY TAXES TO YOU BUT I'M YET TO HEAR SOMEBODY SAY HOW THEY'RE GONNA REPLACE FUNDING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT IF THEY DO THAT NOT ONE POLITICIAN IN THE WORLD AND SAID WE'RE GONNA ELIMINATE YOUR HAVE A LOWER TAX AND WE'RE GONNA REPLACE IT WITH X BECAUSE WE WE HAVE TO HAVE $33,000 MILLION A YEAR TO OPERATE THIS COUNTY, AND IT GOES UP EVERY YEAR.

SO, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, I DON'T SEE THAT WE HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF CHOICE RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE GOING TO GO FIGHT FOR MORE CHOICE AND MORE POWER AND AUTHORITY, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE.

WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF GETTING THROUGH A COUPLE OF THESE AND HAVING ENOUGH REVENUE TO START BEING ABLE TO SAY NO TO THE TAX ABATEMENTS.

BUT IF WE SAY NO TO THE TAX ABATEMENTS WITH OUR CURRENT AUTHORITY, WE'RE ALSO SAYING NO TO OUR ABILITY TO CONTROL WATER USAGE.

SO IT KIND OF PUTS US IN A BAD SPOT.

SO ANYWAY, THAT'S ENOUGH ABOUT YOU ALL KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONERS? I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN STATED ALREADY, AND FAR TOO OFTEN IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT, WE'RE LEFT WITH THE LEAST BEST OPTION.

AND IT'S KIND OF JUST THE CARDS THAT WERE DEALT AND THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE IN.

OKAY.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I'LL CALL THE VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED? NO FROM COMMISSIONER HORNE.

SO 4-1.

MOTION PASSES.

AND COMMISSIONER HORNE, I DO APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR OPINION.

[I.5 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Final Plat for Juniper Springs, Section 8 consisting of a single-lot subdivision on approximately 22.415 acres located off Borchert Loop. ]

MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE.

ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE,

[I.6 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Short Form Plat for ARWA Booster Pump Station, consisting of a single-lot commercial subdivision on approximately 49.242 acres located on State Highway 142 and Church Street.]

ITEM I-6, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING SHORT-FORM PLAT FOR ARWA BOOSTER PUMP STATION CONSISTING OF SINGLE-LOCK COMMERCIAL SUBDIVISION ON APPROXIMATELY 49.242 ACRES LOCATED ON STATE HIGHWAY 142 AND CHURCH STREET OKAY AGAIN JUST A SIMPLE ONE LOT SPLIT AND THIS IS ALL COMMENTS ARE CLEARED FEES HAVE BEEN COLLECTED AND IT'S READY FOR APPROVAL OKAY THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. SECOND.

SECOND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND ANY DISCUSSION NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE AYE OPPOSED HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES THANK YOU THANK YOU

[I.7 To discuss and take possible action regarding Resolution 23-2026 relating to approving financing by the National Finance Authority for the benefit of Public-Private Development Corporation (PPDC), and related matters (Lockhart ISD).]

I MOVE TO APPROVE.

[00:45:02]

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE.

ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED HEARING NONE.

[I.8 To discuss and take possible action authorizing the County Judge to initiate discussions and negotiate potential roadway access along the existing route that leads to the Caldwell County Evacuation Center.]

ITEM I-8 DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY JUDGE TO INITIATE DISCUSSIONS TO NEGOTIATE POTENTIAL ROADWAY ACCESS ALONG THE EXISTING ROUTE THAT LEADS TO THE COLWELL COUNTY EVACUATION CENTER.

COMMISSIONERS.

COME ON, COMMISSIONERS, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A BIG HORSESHOE-SHAPED DRIVE.

IT STARTS ON THE NORTH SIDE, COMES AROUND THE SOUTH SIDE.

ON THE SOUTH SIDE, THE CITY OWNS THE ACREAGE TO THE NORTH SIDE.

THERE'S STILL SOME ACREAGE THERE, AND THEY HAVE A PROSPECTIVE HOTEL ENTREPRENEUR WHO WANTS TO PUT A HOTEL THERE.

ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE THERE IS GENTLEMAN WHO WANTS TO PUT A CONVENIENCE STORE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THAT DRIVE AND WHAT THEY'RE ASKING US FOR IS AN EASEMENT UP TO A POINT SO THAT THEY CAN SHARE THAT THAT DRIVE ACCESS BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO PUT ANOTHER TECH STOCK DRIVEWAY ON EITHER SIDE AND IT WOULD RENDER BOTH THOSE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES OR USELESS SO THEY SO THE CITY AND THOSE TWO GENTLEMEN HAVE COME TO US AND ASKED US FOR A POSSIBILITY OF GRANTING AN EASEMENT UP TO A POINT AND WHAT I'M ASKING FOR IS JUST THE OPPORTUNITY TO NEGOTIATE HOW DEEP INTO THE END OF THE ROADWAY THAT WOULD GO AND WHAT THEIR USE WOULD AND WOULDN'T BE AND THEN I WOULD BRING THAT BACK TO YOU AND WE COULD TAKE A VOTE ON IT JUDGE DOES CAN THE AGREEMENT OR THE EASEMENT ADDRESS MAINTENANCE IT COULD, YES SIR.

WHATEVER YOU WANT.

I MEAN, IT'S OUR PRIVATE ROAD, RIGHT? YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, WE COULD HAVE A JOINT MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY ON EITHER SIDE.

I'LL MAKE A NOTE OF THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED A MOTION SO WE CAN, IN A SECOND, SO THERE'S MORE DISCUSSION.

GO AHEAD AND HAVE IT.

I THINK A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.

MOVE APPROVAL BY.

COMMISSIONER HORNE, DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS, COMMISSIONERS? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED, HEARING NONE,

[I.9 To discuss and take possible action regarding a Caldwell County Burn Ban. ]

ITEM I-9, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CALDWELL COUNTY BURN BAN, HECTOR.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, STAFF, AND GALLERY.

IN THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS WE'VE HAD A FEW FIRES MOSTLY ALONG SH-130 AND SOME OF OUR FM AND COUNTY ROADS.

THOSE FIRES WERE CAUSED EITHER BY FARMERS RUNNING ON FLAT TIRES ON THEIR TRAILERS OR DRAGGING CHAINS AND CITIZENS THROWING CIGARETTE BUTTS OUT IN THE GRASS AND CATCHING FIRE.

OUR FIRE DANGER IS VERY HIGH CURRENTLY.

ACCORDING TO THE TEXAS FOREST SERVICE WE'RE AT A RATING OF PL2.

THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF RAIN NEXT WEEK BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET.

THE TEMPERATURES ARE GOING UP IN THE 90S, WHICH IS MAKING OUR GRASSES EVEN DRIER.

THE HUMIDITY AT NIGHT JUST COATS THE GRASS ON TOP.

IT DOESN'T LET THE HUMIDITY GO INTO THE GROUND.

CURRENTLY, OUR KBDI NUMBERS, MINIMUM 513, MAX 662, AVERAGE OF 597, WITH A CHANGE OF PLUS OUR KBDI NUMBERS ON THE CHANGES HAVE BEEN RISING WITH PLUS 4, PLUS 5, PLUS 6.

IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, SO NUMBERS ARE GOING UP DAILY.

I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT THAT WE KEEP THE BURN BAN ON.

KEEP IT ON? KEEP IT ON.

YES, SIR.

OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION? I'LL MOVE TO KEEP THE BURN BAN.

APPROVAL TO KEEP THE BURN BAN ON BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE.

ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.

[I.10 To discuss and take possible action regarding Budget Amendment 06-2026, moving $30,000.00 from Contingency (001-6510-4860) to Trial Expense (001-3200-4130) to cover outside legal services for the District Attorney's Office.]

[00:50:01]

THIS BRIEF NEEDS TO BE HANDLED BY AN EXPERT SO THAT WE DO A GOOD JOB AND WE DON'T FIND OURSELVES IN A SITUATION THAT WE DON'T WANT TO BE IN FINANCIALLY.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED 3-NONE MOTION CARRIES

[I.11 To discuss and take possible action on the approval of Professional Service Agreement with Attorney Richard Wetzel & Caldwell County for outside services to the District Attorney Office.]

ANYTHING ABOVE THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE READDRESSED BY COMMISSIONERS OKAY COMMISSIONERS WE HAVE A MOTION SO MOVE MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS DO WE HAVE A SECOND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT ANY DISCUSSION NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE AYE OPPOSED HEARING NONE

[I.12 To discuss and take possible action regarding an agreement with Coast/Torger Philosophos for a new work order system for the Caldwell County Maintenance Department. ]

HOW DO YOU SAY THAT? YOU GOT IT.

I DID? YEP.

ALRIGHT.

YEAH, YOU DID BETTER THAN ME.

I JUST SAY COAST.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

WE ARE REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR A WORK ORDER SYSTEM FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE WITH A COMPANY CALLED COAST.

WITH COAST, WE WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO CREATE, MANAGE, AND TRACK EVERY MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE TASK IN ONE CENTRALIZED PLATFORM.

TO REDUCE DOWNTIME AND HELP OUR BUILDING MAINTENANCE TEAM BE MORE EFFICIENT.

THE SYSTEM WILL IMPROVE ACCOUNTABILITY AND INCREASE TRANSPARENCY.

IF APPROVED, BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND PURCHASING WILL WORK TOGETHER WITH COAST ON SETTING THINGS UP EXACTLY HOW WE WANT IT, BECAUSE IT'S TOTALLY CUSTOMIZABLE, AND WE WILL HELP THEM TRAIN COUNTY STAFF.

TRAINING WILL TAKE ABOUT THREE TO FOUR WEEKS, BROKEN DOWN IN PHASES, AND IS INCLUDED IN THE COST.

SPEAKING OF COST, INITIALLY WE WOULD LIKE TO START WITH...

SIX MOBILE ACCESS USERS AND THAT WOULD PUT US AT $4,248 A YEAR.

THE MOBILE ACCESS USERS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE APP AND QR CODE SCANNING OPTIONS.

THERE IS NO COST FOR THE COUNTY STAFF WHO ARE GOING TO BE PUTTING IN THE WORK ORDERS.

THE COST ONLY APPLIES TO MOBILE ACCESS USERS, SO THAT'LL BE THE BUILDING MAINTENANCE STAFF.

WE CAN ASSIGN ADMIN USERS THAT WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO ASSIGN WORK ORDERS, APPROVE THEM, AND ACCESS REPORTING.

LEON COUNTY AUDITOR RECOMMENDED COAST, AND THAT'S HOW I FOUND THEM.

ANY QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONERS? NOT.

LOOK FOR A MOTION.

MOVE TO APPROVE.

MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE ANY DISCUSSION THAT'S THAT WOULD BE THE ANNUAL FEE SO IF WE MINUS A USER OR ADD USERS THEN THAT AMOUNT WOULD CHANGE ALL RIGHT ANY OTHER QUESTIONS HE DOES HAVE IT IN ITS BUDGET THIS YEAR YEAH OKAY WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND FOR APPROVAL THERE IS NO FURTHER DISCUSSION ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE AYE OPPOSED HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES THANK YOU ITEM I-13 DISCUSS AND

[I.13 To discuss and take possible action regarding an agreement between Caldwell County and Blue Layer for Co-Managed Services. ]

COMMISSIONERS?

[00:55:02]

[I.14 To discuss and take possible action regarding an agreement between Caldwell County and Blue Layer for Co-Managed Software and Cybersecurity Bundle. ]

WE'RE GOING TO HOLD ON I-15 TO I-18 UNTIL

[J. EXECUTIVE SESSION]

PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551-087, DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH PROJECT SUMMIT RIDGE.

PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551-087.

SEVEN DISCUSSION DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT FORGE J3 DISCUSS PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE FIVE FIVE ONE OH EIGHT SEVEN DISCUSSION OF DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT MOUNT FUJI AND PERCENT TAKES GOVERNMENT CODE FIVE FIVE ONE OH EIGHT SEVEN DISCUSSION OF DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH RESPECT TO 2021 INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT GRANT FUNDING WE WILL BE BACK AS SOON AS WE'VE HAD A CHANCE TO DISCUSS ALL THESE WE'RE GOING TO END EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 10:32 PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551087 DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT SUMMIT RIDGE PROJECT DIRECT FORGE PROJECT MOUNT FUJI AND PURSUANT TAKES GOVERNMENT CODE FIVE FIVE ONE OH EIGHT SEVEN DISCUSSION DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOES JASON'S WITH RESPECT TO 2021 INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT JOBS ACT GRANT FUNDING THERE WILL BE NO ACTION IN IN TAKING IN COURT ON ANY OF THESE SO

[Items I.15 - I.18]