Jun 11, 2026 Commissioners Court

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THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.

[A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER]

IT'S NINE O'CLOCK, JUNE 11TH.

AND DO WE HAVE SOMEBODY HERE FOR THE INVOCATION THIS MORNING? PASTOR JODY, RIGHT ON TIME.

YOU NEED A MINUTE TO CATCH YOUR BREATH? I'M ALL RIGHT.

OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND DO THE INVOCATION.

LET'S PRAY TOGETHER.

HEAVENLY FATHER, AS WE GATHER FOR THIS MEETING, UNITE OUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN COMMON PURPOSE.

GRANT US THE WISDOM TO WORK TOGETHER EFFECTIVELY AND THE HUMILITY TO VALUE EACH PERSON'S PERSPECTIVE.

GUIDE OUR DISCUSSIONS AND DECISIONS AS THEY MAY HONOR YOU AND SERVE CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS.

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.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS.

ONE STATE, UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.

[D. ANNOUNCEMENTS]

NONE FROM ME, JUDGE.

COMMISSIONER THERIAULT? JUST A REMINDER, THIS WEEKEND AT THE PARK, IT'S GOING TO BE THE RODEO AND BARBECUE COOK-OFF.

ALL RIGHT.

IT OUGHT TO BE A BIG WEEKEND, A LOT OF FUN.

YEP, LOTS GOING ON OUT THERE.

OKAY, COMMISSIONER THOMAS? YES, JUST A REMINDER FOR NEXT WEEK THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION AT ST.

JOHN COLONY AND THERE ALSO WILL BE A JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION IN LULING, TEXAS ON THE 19TH AND THE COLONY CELEBRATION WILL BE ON THE 20TH.

20TH? OKAY.

THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

DO WE HAVE ANY STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS MORNING? WE KNOW WHAT THIS IS HIGH COMMISSIONERS JUST WANT TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW WE STILL HAVE 12 PEOPLE SAME 12 PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T DO IT LAST MONTH THEY NEED TO DO IT THIS MONTH SO THOSE PEOPLE WILL BE GETTING EMAILS FROM ME SO WE NEED TO GET THAT COMPLETED BY THE END OF JUNE THANK YOU OKAY ANY OTHER STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS IF NOT WE'LL GO

[E. CITIZENS' COMMENTS]

ANDREW MCCLISH, PRAIRIE LEE, JUDGE HAYDEN.

YOU KNOW I WAS HOPING TO SEE RECONSIDERATION OF THE PRAIRIE LEE STOP SIGNS TODAY ON TODAY'S AGENDA BUT IT APPEARS THAT MANY OF THE STEPS, DISCUSSIONS, ACTIONS, AND DECISIONS THAT LED THESE MULTI-WAY STOP SIGNS TO PRAIRIE LEE MAY HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN.

SO WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND START OVER WITH SOME CONTEXT.

PRAIRIE LEE IS A SMALL RURAL COMMUNITY MORE THAN A HUNDRED YEARS OLD.

CONSISTING OF ABOUT 10 SMALL BLOCKS LOCATED ALONG HIGHWAY 80.

THE PAVED STREETS ARE NARROW, APPROXIMATELY 13 TO 16 FEET WIDE, POSTED AT 30 MILES PER HOUR, WITH STOP SIGNS ALREADY CONTROLLING TRAFFIC AT EVERY INTERSECTION.

THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE YEAR, TRAFFIC IS MINIMAL, WITH OCCASIONAL THROUGH TRAFFIC TRAVELING TO AND FROM A NEARBY CAMPGROUND.

SO HOW DID THESE MULTI-WAY STOP SIGNS FIND THEIR WAY TO PRAIRIE LEE? WELL, THE STORY BEGINS IN 2017.

A MONTH OR TWO BEFORE COMMISSIONER MOSES BROUGHT THE IDEA TO THIS COURT, IN FACT, SITTING RIGHT THERE IN THEIR SEAT, HE STATED, QUOTE, I WAS JUST RIDING AROUND OUT IN PRAIRIE LEE AND I SAW A NEED FOR STOP SIGNS OUT THERE.

AND HE ALSO URGED THE COURT TO, QUOTE, GET THOSE STOP SIGNS IN PLACE BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS HURT.

NOW KEEP IN MIND THAT EVERY INTERSECTION ALREADY HAD STOP SIGNS CONTROLLING TRAFFIC FROM AT LEAST ONE DIRECTION.

WHAT HE PROPOSED WAS CONVERTING SELECTED INTERSECTIONS INTO MULTI-WAY STOPS.

COMMISSIONER MOSES DISCUSSED THIS PLAN WITH A RESIDENT AND LONGTIME ACQUAINTANCE.

THAT RESIDENT HELPED SELECT THE LOCATIONS CLOSEST TO HIS HOME AND CIRCULATED A PETITION.

YET COMMISSIONER MOSES NEVER EXPLAINED WHAT SPECIFIC PROBLEM THE SIGNS WERE INTENDED TO SOLVE.

INSTEAD, HE REPEATEDLY TOLD THE COURT, QUOTE, THERE'S A NEED FOR THEM.

THERE'S A NEED FOR THEM AND THEN CAME A REVEALING COMMENT FROM JUDGE SHAWLEY WHO STATED QUOTE I UNDERSTAND THE KEY CONCERN HERE IS SPEED SLOWING DOWN TRAFFIC AND HERE'S WHY THAT HERE'S WHY THAT MATTERS THE TEXAS MANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES SPECIFICALLY SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT STOP SIGNS SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR SPEED CONTROL MOST LIKELY COMMISSIONER MOSES KNEW THAT,

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COMMISSIONER MOSES PERSONALLY SHOWED THE COUNTY'S NEW ROAD ADMINISTRATOR THE INTERSECTIONS WHERE THE SIGNS WOULD BE INSTALLED AND LATER WHEN THAT ADMINISTRATOR WAS ASKED WHY THOSE PARTICULAR LOCATIONS WERE CHOSEN, HE STATED, I WAS JUST FOLLOWING WHAT THE COMMISSIONER WANTED.

AND TO SOME CREDIT, SOME MEMBERS OF THE COURT EXPRESSED CONCERN.

JUDGE SHAWI SUGGESTED THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD WEIGH IN, STATING, GET WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO MAKE US AWARE IF THERE IS A NEED.

AND HE ALSO ADDED, WE MIGHT COULD ASK TXDOT.

COMMISSIONER TERRIO, DRAWING ON HIS BACKGROUND AND EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE, WARNED ABOUT POTENTIAL LIABILITY.

HE STATED, QUOTE, I'VE SEEN WHERE A STOP SIGN POPPED UP AND THERE'S A LAWSUIT AS TO IF IT WAS WARRANTED OR NOT.

COUNTY ATTORNEY JORDAN ADVISED THE COURT THAT WARRANTS WERE NOT MANDATORY, BUT ALSO REMINDED THE COURT THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WOULD BE REQUIRED.

COMMISSIONER MOSES RESPONDED TO THE JUDGE'S SUGGESTION BY STATING THAT HE WOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, AND THEN HE MADE A MOTION TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AT THE NEXT MEETING, AND THE MOTION PASSED.

NOW, I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME, SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND STOP THERE FOR TODAY.

JUDGE.

AS I SAID IN THE BEGINNING I WAS HOPING TO SEE RECONSIDERATION OF THE PRAIRIE STOP SIGNS ON TODAY'S AGENDA WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO ADDRESS SPEEDING IN NEIGHBORHOODS SO I HOPE TO SEE IT ON THE NEXT MEETING'S AGENDA I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR LISTENING THANK YOU ANY OTHER CITIZENS COMMENTS NO SIR OKAY WE'LL GO

[F. CONSENT AGENDA]

MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORN.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

[G.1 To discuss and take possible action regarding the approval of the Minutes for the May 28, 2026, regular meeting and budget workshop meeting.]

MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORN.

SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TERRIO.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED HEARING NONE.

MOTION CARRIES.

G2 DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE

[G.2 To discuss and take possible action to approve a Reimbursement Agreement between Caldwell County and Union Pacific Railroad Company for costs associated with Preliminary Engineering Services work related to the Clark Loop/CR 237 crossing near the SH 142 West project and authorize the County Judge to execute all related. ]

APPROVE A REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN COLWELL COUNTY AND UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING SERVICES WORK RELATED TO THE CLARK LOOP COUNTY ROAD 237 CROSSING NEAR SH 142 WEST PROJECT AND AUTHORIZE THE JUDGE TO EXECUTE ALL RELATED.

I ASSUME THAT'S DOCUMENTS.

IT JUST STOPS WITH ALL RELATED.

GO AHEAD.

HI, MARIA CASTANON WITH HNTB.

THIS AGENDA ITEMS TO APPROVE THAT AGREEMENT BETWEEN COUNTY AND UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD TO ALLOW FOR THEIR REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS THAT WOULD IMPACT THEIR EXISTING RAIL RIDEWAY.

THERE'S CURRENTLY AN UNSIGNALIZED ROADWAY CROSSING AND A PROPOSED TRAFFIC SIGNAL ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY AND SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE PUTTING IN PLACE THIS AGREEMENT.

SIMILAR TO THE OTHER UNION PACIFIC AGREEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE FOR LIKE NORTH HACKBERRY AND MAGNOLIA OKAY THANK YOU AND COMMISSIONERS I DIDN'T READ THE COST ON THIS IS FORTY THOUSAND I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND DO WE HAVE A SECOND SO SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS ANY DISCUSSION NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE AYE OPPOSED HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES ITEM G3, DISCUSS

[G.3 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Preliminary Plat for Sunset Oaks, Section V Amendment consisting of 1,283 single-family lots on approximately 92.968 acres on Tract 1, and 130.87 acres on Tract 2, located on State Highway 21 and FM 1966.]

OKAY, GOOD MORNING.

THIS AMENDMENT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE THEY'D ACTUALLY LIKE TO ADD 53 LOTS TO THE ORIGINAL PRELIMINARY PLAT.

SO AT THIS TIME, SOME CONCERNS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP CONCERNING THIS SUBDIVISION PRELIMINARY PLAT.

AGAIN, PLEASE REMEMBER IT'S JUST A PRELIMINARY PLAT, NOT A FINAL.

SO AT THIS TIME, WE'RE GOING TO ASK, I'VE TALKED EXTENSIVELY WITH TRACY BRATTON YESTERDAY, WE'RE GOING TO ASK THAT WE MOVE FORWARD AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL FOR PRELIMINARY PLAT.

THAT.

AND THAT, AND JUST KNOW THAT ALL CONDITIONS WILL BE ADDRESSED.

OKAY, I GUESS WE'LL LOOK FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND, AND THEN WE'LL TALK.

TO OUR ENGINEER REVIEWING THE

[00:10:02]

OKAY.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER THERIAULT.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

ANY DISCUSSION? DID THIS CHANGE LOT SIZES AT ALL? WELL, WHAT THE CONCERN IS THAT WAS BROUGHT BEFORE ME WAS THAT THE LOT AND BLOCKS WERE GOING TO BE AN ISSUE BECAUSE ORIGINALLY WHEN SOME OF THE LOTS WERE SEWED OFF, TRACY IS AWARE OF THAT AND EVERYTHING THAT'S BEING CONSIDERED.

WE TALKED.

WITH KIMLEY HORN YESTERDAY UH THEY THEY GUARANTEED THIS THAT THAT WOULD BE ADDRESSED THAT NONE OF THOSE LOTS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY SO WOULD BE AFFECTED OKAY THIS DOES HAVE SMALLER LOTS OKAY YEAH BUT IT'S STILL SUBJECT TO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT OKAY THAT THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I WAS DRIVING AT THANK YOU OKAY APPRECIATE IT SO WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

[G.4 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Final Plat for William Pettus Commercial Addition, consisting of two lots on approximately 11.13 acres, located at William Pettus Rd. ]

ITEM G4 DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING FINAL PLAT FOR WILLIAM PETTUS COMMERCIAL ADDITION CONSISTING OF TWO LOTS ON APPROXIMATELY 11.13 ACRES LOCATED AT WILLIAM PETTUS.

GOOD MORNING.

THIS IS A FOR DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL FOR THE FINAL PLAT FOR WILLIAM PETTUS.

THIS ONE TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF TIME JUST BECAUSE OF THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AND MEETING ALL THE CONDITIONS FOR THE TXDOT CHANGES.

SO THIS IS A TWO LOT SUBDIVISION 11.13 ACRES AND LOOKING FOR APPROVAL.

OKAY COMMISSIONERS.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THERIAULT.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORN.

ANY DISCUSSION? ONE NOTE, JUDGE.

JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT THROUGH THIS PLAT, WHICH IS A COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT RIGHT AT THE CORNER OF WILLIAM PETTUS AND 21, WE'RE GETTING 110 FEET OF RIGHT-OF-WAY DEDICATED FOR WILLIAM PETTUS, WHICH WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO BUY.

IT'S A GOOD AND TIMELY PLAT.

OKAY, EXCELLENT.

ALL RIGHT.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? NOT CALL THE VOTE? ALL IN FAVOR? OH, DID I GET A MOTION? YEAH, COME IN.

ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED?

[G.5 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Final Plat for Barth Subdivision, consisting of three lots on approximately 10.16 acres, located at Barth Road.]

MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.

[G.6 To discuss and take possible action regarding a Proclamation recognizing June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth, and commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas.]

THANK YOU.

ITEM G6, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JUNE 19, 2026 AS JUNETEENTH AND COMMEMORATING THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN TEXAS.

AND I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER THOMAS IS GOING TO READ THE PROCLAMATION.

PROCLAMATION.

HEY COMMISSIONER, DO YOU MIND PULLING YOUR MIC SO WE CAN HEAR YOU? THANK YOU.

PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JUNETEENTH, 2026, WHEREAS THE INSTITUTION OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA BEGAN IN 1619 WITH THE LANDING OF THE FIRST SLAVES ON OUR SHORES AND CONTINUED OFFICIALLY UNTIL PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN ISSUED THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION ON JANUARY 1ST, 1863.

ALTHOUGH THE HISTORIC PROCLAMATION WAS ISSUED IN 1863, TEXAS SLAVES WAITED TWO AND A HALF YEARS TO RECEIVE WORD OF THEIR LIBERATION WHEN ON JUNE 19, 1865, UNION SOLDIERS LED BY MAJOR GENERAL GORDON GRANGER LANDED AT GALVESTON AND ANNOUNCED THAT ALL THE TEXAS SLAVES WERE FREE.

AND WHEREAS THE 19TH DAY OF JUNE ON JUNETEENTH COMMEMORATES THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ABOLISHMENT OF SLAVERY IN TEXAS.

IT BECAME A DAY OF JUBILATION AND LIBERATION FOR THE FORMER SLAVES, AND TODAY IS THE OLDEST KNOWN CELEBRATION OF THE ENDING OF SLAVERY IN OUR NATION.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT THAT THE 19TH DAY OF JUNE 2026 SHOULD BE CELEBRATED, JUNETEENTH, OR EMANCIPATION DAY, IN RECOGNITION OF THIS IMPORTANCE OF JUNETEENTH TO HUMAN FREEDOM CHERISHED BY THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES.

CLAIM THIS DAY 11TH DAY OF JUNE 2026.

OKAY.

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DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT PROCLAMATION? SO MOVED TO APPROVE.

MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORN.

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

AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE,

[G.7 To discuss and take possible action regarding a Proclamation recognizing the St. John Colony's annual Juneteenth celebration.]

ITEM G7, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE ST.

JOHN COLONY'S ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION.

PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE ST.

JOHN COLONY ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION 2026.

READS, THE VISIONARIES OF THE FREEDOM COMMUNITY OF ST.

JOHN COLONY, TEXAS, PURCHASED 22 ACRES OF ESTABLISHED THE ST. JOHN COLONY EMANCIPATION GROUND WITHIN A SETTLEMENT ALREADY INHABITED BY NATIVE AMERICANS, RELATIVES, AND DIVERSE SETTLERS.

REVEREND JOHN H.

WYNN SR.

AND 14 PIONEERS FAMILY DEVELOPED CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, CEMETERIES, FARMS, RANCHES, A GENERAL STORE, A POST OFFICE AND COTTON GIN, GRIST AND SORGHUM MILLS, AND COMMUNITY HALLS, INCORPORATING MACKETTSVILLE AND THE AREAS NOW KNOWN AS THE LOWER AND UPPER ST.

JOHN IN BASTROP COUNTY.

THE FREEDOM COLONY WAS ESTABLISHED IN INDUSTRIAL SELF-GOVERNMENT RELIANT AFRICAN-AMERICAN PIONEER FREED SLAVES, PREACHERS, BUSINESSMEN, EDUCATORS, INNOVATORS, MIDWIVES, MILITARY VETERANS, AND HARD-WORKING CITIZENS WHO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH TOGETHER.

SEVEN YEARS AFTER GORDON GRANGER READ THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION IN GALVESTON, TEXAS, THE CELEBRATION OF JUNE 19TH BEGAN IN 1872 IN ST.

JOHN'S COLONY AND WAS CALLED JUNETEENTH.

DESCENDANTS OF THE FOUNDING 14 PIONEER FAMILIES CONTINUED GATHERING IN THE OLD-TIME TRADITION WITH BARBECUING TRADITIONAL RECIPES, SINGING, DANCING, AND FELLOWSHIP TO HONOR AND PRESERVE THIS DEEP-ROOTED HISTORY.

THIS CELEBRATION MEMORIZED AND EDUCATED FUTURE GENERATIONS ABOUT THE LEGACY OF FREED SLAVES WHO ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH WITH SO LITTLE, STANDING TOGETHER IN UNITY AND LOVE.

IT MUST BE PRESERVED WITH THE FULLNESS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT THAT THE THIRD SATURDAY OF JUNE BE DESIGNATED AS THE WEEKEND OF THE ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION IN ST.

JOHN COLONY, TEXAS.

WE CALL UPON THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, COUNTIES, AGENCIES, AND ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, HISTORICAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS EVERYWHERE.

WE'RE HERE AT JUNETEENTH IN ST.

JOHN'S COLONY WITH ACTIVITIES IN CELEBRATION AMONG FAMILIES, NEIGHBORS, AND COMMUNITY.

PROCLAIMED THIS DAY THE 11TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE PROCLAMATION? SO MOVED TO APPROVE THE PROCLAMATION.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS TO APPROVE G7.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TERRIO.

ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED HEARING NONE MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

[G.8 To discuss and take possible action regarding a Resolution Proposing Amendments to 2025 and 2026 Budgets from the Caldwell County Appraisal District.]

OKAY COMMISSIONERS YOU HAVE THE BUDGET FROM THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT IN YOUR BACKUP AS THEY USUALLY DO THERE'S SOME PRETTY HEFTY RAISES IN THERE UH I I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY THE THE MAJOR THING UNLESS 20 UNLESS HALF OF THE 22 TAXING AUTHORITIES OH SORRY THERE'S RESOLUTION I JUMPED AHEAD BUT LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE IT WELL SINCE I'VE ALREADY READ IT UH SINCE AND I'LL GO BACK TO G8 THAT'S G9 WE'RE ON G9 UM

[G.9 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Proposed 2027 Appraisal District and Collections Budgets from the Caldwell County Appraisal District.]

I DON'T KNOW HOW THE REST OF YOU FEEL.

YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE, WE TABLED THIS TO SEE IF THEY COULD COME BACK WITH A MORE REASONABLE BUDGET.

UNFORTUNATELY, HALF OF THE TAXING ENTITIES, WE ALL HAVE AN EQUAL VOTE, AND HALF OF THE TAXING ENTITIES HAVE TO.

WELL, TO DISAPPROVE THEIR BUDGET, WHICH IS PROVED TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THAT.

[00:20:02]

THEY DID THAT LAST YEAR AS WELL, AND I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. BUT DO WE KNOW WHAT THE PERCENTAGE INCREASES ON THEIR SALARY? IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE POSITION. ONE OF THEM IS ACTUALLY PROBABLY NEEDED BECAUSE THE DEPUTY APPRAISER IS PRETTY UNDERPAID, AND THAT WAS LIKE A 10 RAISE.

AND THERE'S MANY OF THEM THAT ARE IN THAT RANGE. THERE'S SOME IN FIVE. THE CHIEF APPRAISER DID TAKE A MUCH LOWER RAISE THAN SHE HAS IN THE PAST TO HELP PROMOTE THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR'S SALARY, SO THAT WAS APPRECIATED. YOU KNOW, I APPRECIATE THAT SHE DID THAT.

BUT OVERALL, THIS YEAR AFTER YEAR, MAKING AN AMENDMENT TO TAKE THE MONEY THAT'S SUPPOSED TO COME BACK TO THE ENTITIES BACK INTO THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT SO THAT THEY CONTINUE TO GIVE THESE BIG RAISES IS BECOMING PROBLEMATIC.

AND, YOU KNOW, I TRIED TO TAKE UP THE BALL LAST YEAR AND SEE HOW MANY OF THE OTHER ENTITIES WE COULD GET INTERESTED IN VOTING AGAINST THAT, AND I THINK THAT ONLY THE CITY OF LULING DID IT. I CAN'T REMEMBER IF THE CITY OF LOCKHART VOTED AGAINST IT OR NOT, BUT NONE OF THE OTHER TAXING ENTITIES DID, AND SO WE FELL WELL SHORT OF THE MARK. SO THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE'RE AT, SO I'LL LEAVE IT TO Y'ALL. WE CAN, I DON'T KNOW, DO YOU KNOW, GABBY, WHEN THEY TAKE ACTION ON THIS? I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE ACTION ON IT.

NO, SIR, I DON'T KNOW EITHER.

IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING, THOUGH.

THIS HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

I MEAN, EVERY YEAR THEY WANT TO TAKE THAT MONEY, AND IT'S A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY, BACK INTO THEIR BUDGET RATHER THAN REDISTRIBUTE IT TO THE ENTITIES TO BE USED FOR THE CITIZENS.

COLWELL COUNTY AND THE PEOPLE IN THE CITIES OF COLWELL COUNTY AND THE ESDS AND THE, YOU KNOW, PLUM CREEK CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT COULD USE THAT MONEY DON'T GET IT BACK BECAUSE THEY WANT TO GIVE THESE BIG RAISES.

I'M PERSONALLY GETTING FRUSTRATED ABOUT IT, BUT I'M JUST ONE PERSON.

OKAY.

AND I GUESS THEY'LL TAKE ACTION AFTER THE HEARING.

YEAH.

PERSONALLY, I FEEL LIKE A 3% RAISE IS A REASONABLE RAISE.

I DO TOO.

IN TODAY'S CLIMATE.

A LOT OF THESE ARE WAY MORE THAN THAT.

YEAH.

AND THEY'VE TAKEN MONEY THAT'S REALLY NOT THEIRS AND DOING AN AMENDMENT TO KEEP IT.

AND IT'S IN ORDER TO PAY FOR ALL THESE THINGS.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE SITTING HERE TELLING OUR STAFF YOU ONLY GET 3%.

AND THEN I HAVE TO SIT THERE AND WATCH ANOTHER ENTITY DO THAT.

IT IS INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING TO ME.

I MEAN, WE'LL NEED A MOTION, BUT FOR ME PERSONALLY, IF I WAS GOING TO MAKE THE MOTION, I WOULD MOVE TO NOT TO APPROVE THE 2027 COLLECTIONS BUDGET BECAUSE OF THAT AMENDMENT THAT'S IN THERE.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO NOT APPROVE THE BUDGET UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT EITHER WE'RE PRESENTED WITH A SALARY STUDY OR SOME OTHER EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS THE RAISES THAT WE'RE SEEING.

OKAY, THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORN. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. THOSE— THAT MOTION CARRIES. WE'LL GO BACK TO G-8. SORRY, SKIPPED THAT.

DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING RESOLUTION PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE 2025-2026 BUDGETS FOR THE CALDWELL COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT. SO, THIS IS THE SECOND PART OF IT. THE ONE WE JUST DID WAS FOR THE BUDGET. THIS IS FOR THE AMENDMENT. I ASSUME THE MOTION IS THE SAME, COMMISSIONER? CAN I GET A MOTION? SO MOVE TO NOT SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT.

YEAH.

OKAY.

MOTION TO NOT SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT 2025-2026 BUDGET.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND?

[00:25:02]

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED?

[G.10 To discuss and take possible action regarding Resolution 33-2026 supporting request for unclaimed property capital credits.]

ITEM G10, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING RESOLUTION 33-2026, SUPPORTING REQUESTS FOR UNCLAIMED PROPERTY CAPITAL CREDITS.

THIS IS JUST WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE EVERY YEAR.

THERE'S UNCLAIMED PROPERTY CAPITAL CREDITS AND THE RESOLUTION EXPRESSES SUPPORT.

TO CLAIM THOSE.

I MOVE TO APPROVE.

MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORN.

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

OPPOSED? HEARING THAT, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM G-11,

[G.11 To discuss and take possible action regarding a Caldwell County Burn Ban.]

IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, WE'VE HAD SOME PRETTY GOOD RAINS THROUGHOUT CALDWELL COUNTY, AND THEY KEEP PERSISTING EVERY DAY, A LITTLE SHOWER HERE AND THERE.

AND WE GOT A COUPLE OF TROPICAL WAVES MOVING IN OFF THE GULF, SO WE'LL HAVE RAIN THROUGHOUT NEXT WEEK.

CURRENTLY, THE KBDI IS— THE MINIMUM IS 31, MAX IS 218, THE AVERAGE IS 10.5, WITH A CHANGE OF PLUS 17. I'M RECOMMENDING THAT WE EXTEND KEEPING THE BURN BAN OFF. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS.

MOVED TO KEEP THE BURN BAN OFF.

MOVED TO KEEP THE BURN BAN OFF BY COMMISSIONER HORN.

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.

[G.12 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Texas Association of Counties Health and Employee Benefits Pool and determine county and employee contribution amounts for health coverage premiums for FY 2026-2027.]

ITEM G12 DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING TEXAS ASSOCIATION AND COUNTY'S HEALTH AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS POOL AND DETERMINE COUNTY EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR HEALTH AND COVERAGE PREMIUMS UH IT'S GONE UP ABOUT TWO PERCENT UM WE IN THE PAST HAVE UH TRADITIONALLY PAID FOR OUR EMPLOYEES HEALTH PREMIUMS THE INCREASE ISN'T REALLY ENOUGH IN MY MIND TO TO NOT CONTINUE WITH THAT.

BUDGETARY TRADITION BUT LOOK FOR A MOTION AND THEN SOME DISCUSSION IF WE NEED TO HAVE IT.

WELL I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE TO ACCEPT THE INCREASE AND HAVE THE COUNTY OFFSET THE INCREASE IN PREMIUM COVERAGE.

OKAY AND THAT AND TO INCLUDE TO PAY THEIR ENTIRE PREMIUM? YES.

OKAY THANK YOU.

WE HAVE A MOTION DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TERRIO.

MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED HEARING NONE.

MOTION CARRIES.

[G.13 To discuss and take possible action on acceptance of an award from the Capital Area Council of Governments for the 2026-2027 Solid Waste Grant in the amount of $10,050.16, and approval of the associated Interlocal Agreement No. 26-12-01. ]

DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON ACCEPTANCE OF AN AWARD FROM THE CAPITAL AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR THE 2026-2027 SOLID WASTE GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,050.16 IN APPROVAL OF THE ASSOCIATED INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT NUMBER 26-1201.

GOOD MORNING.

WE ARE JUST ACCEPTING THIS AWARD.

THIS IS FOR THE FALL EVENT OF THE TIRE COLLECTION.

WE DID APPLY FOR TWO DIFFERENT EVENTS, A SPRING AND A FALL.

WE WERE ONLY GRANTED FOR ONE.

SO WE'RE GOING WITH THE FALL, OBVIOUSLY, BECAUSE THESE AWARDS CAME OUT A LITTLE BIT LATE.

SO WE JUST NEED TO FORMALLY ACCEPT IT, AND THEN NICOLE WILL CONTINUE ON WITH HER PLANNING OF THE EVENT.

OKAY.

COMMISSIONERS? MOVE TO ACCEPT.

MOVE TO ACCEPT THE GRANT, THE SOLID WASTE GRANT, AN AMOUNT OF $10,050.16 BY COMMISSIONER HORN.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

OPPOSED HEARING NONE.

MOTION CARRIES.

AND WE APPRECIATE CAPCOG

[G.14 To discuss and take possible action on acceptance of an award from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for the Rural Ambulance Service Grant Program in the amount of $350,000.00, and approval of the associated Grant Agreement No. IA-0000003094.]

G14 DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON ACCEPTANCE OF AN AWARD FROM THE TEXAS CONTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS FOR THE RURAL AMBULANCE SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM AND THE AMOUNT OF THREE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS IN APPROVAL OF THE ASSOCIATED GRANT AGREEMENT NUMBER ONE A ZERO ZERO ZERO ZERO ZERO ZERO THREE ZERO NINE FOUR OKAY, SO A COUPLE MONTHS BACK WE BROUGHT THIS TO COURT FOR APPROVAL TO APPLY FOR.

THIS WILL BE A PASS-THROUGH TO ESD 5.

THEY WERE THE ONLY ESD THAT QUALIFIED FOR THIS FUNDING.

IT IS A LOT LIKE THE SB MONEY.

IT'S COMING THROUGH THE COMPTROLLER, SO WE WILL GET THAT MONEY UP FRONT.

THERE'S NO MATCH, AND WE DO STILL NEED TO...

PUT TOGETHER A FORMAL AGREEMENT WITH ESD 5 BEFORE WE CAN MAKE

[00:30:01]

THERE'S NOT SUPER CLEAR GUIDANCE WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE TO MAKE THE PURCHASE OR IF THEY CAN MAKE THE PURCHASE, SEND US AN INVOICE AND THEN WE WOULD REIMBURSE THEM.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IN THE GUIDANCE OF THE GRANT, IT'S NOT SUPER CLEAR.

SO THERE'S LOTS OF QUESTIONS GOING AROUND ABOUT THAT.

AND BEFORE WE FORMALIZE THAT AGREEMENT WITH ESD-5, WE'LL MAKE SURE WE HAVE ANSWERS TO ALL OF THAT.

OKAY.

AND DO WE HAVE AN OPERATING...

OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE COMMENT BECAUSE I'D PREFER FOR THE COUNTY TO CONTROL THIS MONEY AND GET RECEIPTS BACK FROM THEM RATHER THAN JUST HAND THEM A BIG CHECK.

YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. THERE ARE LOTS OF QUESTIONS, EVEN ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF THE AMBULANCE, WHOSE NAME IT HAS TO BE IN, THAT SORT OF THING. SO, WE'LL HAVE TO GET ANSWERS TO ALL OF THAT. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS.

MOTION TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. EXCUSE ME, OPPOSED? HEARING NONE,

[G.15 To discuss and take possible action on permission to apply for the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance FY25 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program.]

ITEM G-15, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON PERMISSION TO APPLY FOR U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BUREAU OF JUSTICE FY25 STATE CRIMINAL ALIEN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

OKAY, SO YOU ALL HAVE SEEN THIS ONE IN YEARS PAST.

IT'S BEEN A LITTLE, THEY HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK IN FUNDING, BUT THEY ARE OPENING THAT BACK UP.

SO THIS IS JUST PERMISSION TO APPLY.

THIS IS THE SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT THAT HELPS US WITH THOSE EXPENSES DUE TO INCARCERATION OF CRIMINAL ALIENS.

OKAY.

COMMISSIONERS? MOVE TO APPROVE.

MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TERRIO.

ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE.

[H. EXECUTIVE SESSION]

THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 9:32, PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.087, DISCUSSION OF DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH HILLWOOD. AND WE WILL RETURN WHEN WE ARE FINISHED. OKAY, THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 10:14, PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE 551.087, DISCUSSION OF DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH HILLWOOD. WE WILL NOT BE TAKING ACTION IN OPEN COURT, AND WE'LL GO AHEAD AND I'LL ASK FOR A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SO MOVED. MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE. HEARING NONE, WE'RE ADJOURNED AT 10:15. I'M GONNA OPEN THE…

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.