[00:00:01] GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. [A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER] WELCOME TO CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE'RE GOING TO CALL THIS MEETING ORDER. THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026 AT AND WE HAVE DEACON GEORGE ELLISON HERE TO DO OUR INVOCATION THIS MORNING. COME ON UP HERE, SIR. GOOD MORNING TO OUR COMMISSIONER COURT AND TO ALL THAT'S PRESENT THIS MORNING. SHALL WE PRAY? OUR FATHER, WHICH ARE IN HEAVEN, WE COME ONE MORE TIME JUST TO SAY THANK YOU. ONE MORE TIME, FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER DAY'S JOURNEY. FATHER, WE PRAY THIS MORNING FOR THE CITY OF LOCKHART. WE PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR CITY LEADERS, FATHER, OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE AND OUR FIRST RESPONDENTS AND THE CITIZENS OF LOCKHART. NOW, LORD. NOW, LORD, WE ASK YOU TO BLESS THIS COMMISSIONAL COURT WITH WISDOM, INTEGRITY AND DISCERNMENT AS THEY MAKE DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THE LIVES OF OUR CITIZENS. GUIDE THEIR DISCUSSION. GRANT THEM UNITY AND RESPECT, ONE FOR ANOTHER, AND HELP THEM ALWAYS SEEK THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE THAT THEY SERVE. MAY ALL THAT IS DONE HERE TODAY BRING PEACE, JUSTICE AND PROSPERITY TO OUR CITIZENS. IN JESUS NAME, WE PRAY THIS MORNING. 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] OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS MORNING? NONE FOR ME, JUDGE. NONE FOR ME, JUDGE. NONE HERE, JUDGE. NONE. OKAY, THANK YOU. AND I DON'T EITHER. DO WE HAVE ANY STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS? HI, COMMISSIONERS. I JUST WANT TO INFORM YOU GUYS THAT OUR CYBER SECURITY IS 100% COMPLETE. SO, YAY. THANK YOU EVERYBODY, FOR COMPLETING THAT. BUT WE GOT ANOTHER ONE COMING. SO IT'S ON THIS AGENDA TO APPROVE. SO IT IS. REGARDING AI TRAINING. AGAIN, IT'S REQUIRED, IT'S MANDATORY AND IT'S FREE. SO WE'LL BE SENDING OUT AN EMAIL ON THAT SHORTLY. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. ANY OTHER STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS? OKAY, IF NOT, WE'LL GO TO CITIZENS COMMENTS. THERE ARE NO CITIZEN COMMENTS. REALLY? ALL RIGHT, [F. CONSENT AGENDA] WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GO TO CONSENT. DO WE HAVE. THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ON CONSENT. I'D LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE. MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING? NONE. MOTION CARRIES. WE HAVE A [G.1 To discuss the Development Agreement for a proposed subdivision development, tentatively named Trailview Heights. The proposed development will consist of 1,326 lots on approximately 365.8 acres located along State Park Road, near the intersection with Westwood Road and Black Ankle Road in Caldwell County.] COUPLE OF DISCUSSION ONLY. THIS MORNING, G1 DISCUSSED THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR A PROPOSED SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT TENTATIVELY NAMED TRAIL VIEW HEIGHTS. THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WILL CONSIST OF 1,326 LOTS ON APPROXIMATELY 365.8 ACRES LOCATED ALONG STATE PARK ROAD NEAR THE INTERSECTION WITH WESTWOOD ROAD AND BLACK ANKLE ROAD IN CALDWELL COUNTY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. CITIZENS OF CALDWELL COUNTY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING US TO. I'M SORRY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING US TO MEET WITH YOU THIS MORNING AND PRESENT WHAT WE BELIEVE IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY AND FOR. FOR US TO BRING A PRODUCT THAT CAN, THAT YOU CAN BE PROUD OF, THAT CITIZENS CAN BE PROUD OF AND THAT WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF TO LIVE THERE. MAPLE DEVELOPMENT IS A HOUSTON BASED DEVELOPMENT FIRM. WE BUILD PURPOSEFULLY SMALLER MASTER PLAN COMMUNITIES SO THAT WE CAN DEVELOP A GOOD SENSE OF SELF AND COMMUNITY AMONGST THE CITIZENS OF THE DEVELOPMENT. AS I MENTIONED, WE ARE OUT OF HOUSTON. WE ARE A VETERAN OWNED AND OPERATED COMMUNITY, I MEAN DEVELOPER. AND WE'VE GOT 11 COMMUNITIES IN HOUSTON AND THIS WILL BE OUR FIRST OUTSIDE OF OUT OF THE HOUSTON MSA. AS YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, THE SITE IS ON STATE PARK ROAD AND BLACK ANKLE ROAD AT THE INTERSECTION THERE. [00:05:01] IT'S APPROXIMATELY 1300 LOTS AND 365 ACRES. YOU GUYS ALL KNOW, OH, I'LL MOVE QUICKLY. BUT YOU GUYS ALL KNOW WHY PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO LIVE HERE IN LOCKHART. THERE'S PATRIOTISM, THERE'S PRIDE. AND THIS IS WHERE PEOPLE, INCLUDING MYSELF, WOULD WANT TO CALL HOME. AND WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE TO MAKE THIS COMMUNITY AS AMAZING AS IT IS. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF AN AMENITIES CENTER THAT WE HAVE IN ONE OF OUR COMMUNITIES IN HOUSTON. AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE IS QUITE A BIT OF FLOODPLAIN ON THE PROPERTY. BUT OUR PLAN IS TO INCORPORATE WALKING TRAILS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND CONNECT EACH ONE OF THESE PARCELS OR EACH ONE OF THESE PHASES. AND EACH PHASE WILL HAVE A POCKET PARK IN ADDITION TO A LARGER AMENITY CENTER THAT'S RIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY. THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE STATS THAT WE HAVE SO FAR ON THE FLOODPLAIN AND DRAINAGE BASINS. AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF OPEN SPACE AND WE REALLY BELIEVE THAT OUR GOAL IS TO KEEP AS MANY TREES AND KEEP THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE ACTUAL PARCEL IN PLACE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. BECAUSE I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROPERTY AND MAYBE HAVE BEEN ON IT, BUT IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. IT'S BEAUTIFUL. THERE'S VIEWS FROM THE HIGH SIDE OF THE PROPERTY, BUT EVEN DOWN LOW, THE VEGETATION, IT IS AMAZING. AND WE WANT TO KEEP AS MUCH OF THAT UNTOUCHED AS WE CAN AND BUILD THAT INTO THE WARMTH AND THE IDENTITY OF THE COMMUNITY. HERE'S JUST A COUPLE SAMPLES FROM OUR ATLAS STUDY THAT SHOWS SIGNIFICANT FLOODPLAIN. BUT WE, WE DON'T SEE THAT AS A HINDRANCE. WE ACTUALLY SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A NATURAL SPACE FOR THE, FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY. WE WILL HAVE, WE DO HAVE ONE ACCESS PLANNED OFF OF STATE PARK ROAD AND THEN TWO ANCILLARY ACCESSES TO THE EAST AND, AND TO THE WEST. WE ARE WORKING WITH MAXWELL WATER AND WE PLAN ON BUILDING OUR OWN WASTEWATER DETENTION FACILITY ON SITE. AND WE ARE WORKING WITH PAPEDAWSON ENGINEERING OUT OF AUSTIN TO HELP US WITH THIS PROJECT. AS I MENTIONED, WE ARE BASED OUT OF HOUSTON. AND IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE COUNTY AND WORKING WITH YOU TO DEVELOP SOMETHING THAT YOU ENVISION THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO LIVE IN. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO PARTNERING WITH YOU TO BUILD A COMMUNITY THAT EVERYONE, THE CITIZENS OF CALDWELL COUNTY WOULD BE HAPPY TO LIVE IN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS? GO AHEAD, ED. CURRENTLY OFF OF . IF YOU'RE COMING SOUTH, YOU KNOW THE FRONTAGE ROADS STOP AT OLD FENTRESS ROAD, WHICH IS BASICALLY AN EXTENSION OF WESTWOOD ROAD, THAT THE NORTH SOUTH FRONT END ROAD JUST STOPPED RIGHT THERE. AND IF YOU'RE COMING SOUTH TO GET OFF TO HIT THAT INTERSECTION TO CROSS 130, YOU HAVE TO GET OFF AT 142 EXIT, WHICH IS ALMOST AT 2000. JUST AS YOU GO OVER 2001 ON THE NORTH SIDE OF LOCKHART. HAVE YOU HAD ANY CONVERSATIONS WITH, WITH THE 110 FOLKS ABOUT PUSHING THOSE FRONTAGE ROADS FURTHER ALONG, MAYBE TO BLACK NICKEL AND AN EXIT AND ENTRANCE FURTHER DOWN JUST AS DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES TO OCCUR, OCCUR OUT HERE? YOU KNOW, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED. THAT'S, THAT'S PAST OLD FINCHER. SHRUG YES SIR, WE HAVE. I, I DID NOTICE THAT. I MEAN YOU, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. YOU GET OFF AND YOU'RE ON THAT FRONTAGE ROAD FOR QUITE A LITTLE BIT TO, TO GET DOWN TO THE PROPERTY. THE SHORT ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS THAT WE'VE JUST PUT THIS PROPERTY UNDER CONTRACT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND HAVE JUST STARTED THE INITIAL DUE DILIGENCE. AND WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT CONVERSATION WITH THEM, BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM AND THE COUNTY TO DO WHATEVER'S IN THE, IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY. OKAY, I DO HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION. WHAT, WHAT'S THE PRICE POINT OF YOUR PRODUCT? AND DO YOU HAVE BUILDERS IN MIND THAT YOU'RE TALKING TO OR SO AT THIS POINT WE, WE DO NOT WHAT WE ANTICIPATE AND [00:10:01] WE ACTUALLY SPOKE WITH SOME BUILDERS YESTERDAY IN AUSTIN AT A CONFERENCE THERE AND THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF INTEREST FROM THE, I HATE TO CATEGORIZE THEM, BUT LIKE A MID TIER SORT OF BUILDERS THAT ARE LOOKING FOR THIS AREA, THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF INTEREST HERE. BUT WHAT WE STRIVE IS FOR HIGH QUALITY VERY HOW DO WE SAY THIS? SOMETHING THAT, THAT YOU CAN LIVE IN AND STAY IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. LIKE WE DON'T NECESSARILY SUBSCRIBE TO LIKE AN ENTRY LEVEL PRODUCT. WE KIND OF REALLY PUSH FOR LIKE THE, THE MID TIER SORT OF BUILDERS. OKAY, THANK YOU. TO ECHO COMMISSIONER THERIOT'S SENTIMENTS. YOU KNOW, WE HAD ANOTHER, WE HAVE ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ON, ON THE NORTH SIDE OF 130 IN BLACK ANKLE WITH ANOTHER DEVELOPER. THERE MAY BE SOME POINTS TO TRY TO CONNECT AND SEE WHERE THEY ARE TALKING TO 130 ABOUT THE EXTENSION TO THOSE ACCESS ROADS AS WELL. BECAUSE THAT, THAT CAME UP DURING THOSE DISCUSSIONS ON THAT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BECAUSE IT IS, IF IT'S GOING TO GET PUSHED, IF MORE DEVELOPMENT'S GOING TO GET PUSHED IN HIGHER DENSITY OUT TO THAT AREA, IT'S GOING TO BE AN IMMENSE PROBLEM ON THE FRONTAGE ROADS OF 130 CLOSER BACK INTO LOCKHART AT THAT POINT. SO YES, I WOULD ENCOURAGE WE CAN TRY TO PUT YOU TOGETHER WITH THEM AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE CONCURRENT WITH SH130 AS WELL AS TXDOT. YEAH, I'D LOVE TO SEE ANY DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR THAT SORT OF LANGUAGE TO GET INCORPORATED AND GET THEM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IT. ON THE WASTEWATER SIDE WE'LL ALSO BE LOOKING FOR THAT HIGHER STANDARD ENCUMBERED AS WE HAVE DONE IN THE PREVIOUS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS. AND IT'S YES SIR, IT'S 552 0.5 FOR THE NUTRIENT DISCHARGE. SO IT'S BASICALLY THE TCQ'S EDWARDS AQUIFER STANDARDS. PERFECT. THAT'S REALLY ALL THE CONCERNS I HAD. QUESTIONS? ANY OTHER, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COMMISSIONERS? OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [G.2 To discuss the Development Agreement for a proposed subdivision development, tentatively named Orinda. The proposed development will consist of 273 lots on approximately 111 acres located on Young Lane in Caldwell County.] OKAY, WE'LL GO TO THE NEXT DISCUSSION. ONLY ITEM DISCUSSING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR A PROPOSED SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT TENTATIVELY NAMED ORINDA. THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WILL CONSIST OF 273 LOTS ON 111 ACRES LOCATED ON YOUNG LANE IN CALDWELL COUNTY. GO AHEAD SCOTT. SCOTT MILLER RANCHO DEVELOPMENT. MY PRESENTATION IS NOT GOING TO QUITE BE THAT PROFESSIONAL. SO ANYWAYS, WE'RE LOOKING AT A NEW PROJECT OFF OF YOUNG LANE RIGHT OFF THE 1322. ABOUT 111 ACRES OR SO. IT'S REALLY A FOLLOW UP PROJECT TO HEARTLAND RANCH. HORTON'S JUST ABOUT OUT OF HEARTLAND AT THIS POINT. THEY'RE BUILDING IN PHASE FOUR. SO THEY'VE HAD SOME GREAT SUCCESS. SO WE WANT TO KIND OF CONTINUE THAT LARGE LOT CONCEPT IN THE COUNTY. WE THINK THAT THAT'S UNDERSERVED RIGHT NOW. MOST OF THE DEVELOPMENTS GOING IN ARE 40 OR 55 FOOT LOT. SO WE THINK THAT'S A GOOD NICHE IN THE MARKET. AND THE BUYERS WE'VE GOTTEN VERY GOOD BUYER RECEPTION. A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING DOWN THE 130 FROM NORTH AUSTIN MOVING INTO THE LOCKHART AREA. SO THAT'S THE KIND OF CONCEPT WE WANT TO FOLLOW UP WITH. THIS IS OUR PRELIMINARY CONCEPT PLAN. SO IT'S 200. THIS ONE'S GOT ABOUT 274 LOTS, 80 BY 125 OR SO. AND WE'RE THINKING 60 FOOT PRODUCTS. SO 10 FOOT SIDE YARD SETBACK. SO THAT'D BE 20 FOOT HOUSE SEPARATION. BUT IN THIS CASE WE WOULD DO STANDARD CURB AND GUTTER WITH SIDEWALKS VERSUS THE BAR DITCH. WE JUST THINK THAT'S A BETTER PRODUCT AND BETTER PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION. WE'D HAVE TWO CONCRETE TRAILS RUNNING KIND OF EAST TO WEST AND THEN A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK UP NEAR THE DETENTION BASIN WITH A PLAYSCAPE AND A SHADE STRUCTURE. SO PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD AMENITIES. CONCRETE FENCE ALONG YOUNG LANE. AND REALLY I THINK WHAT WE FOUND AT HEARTLAND RANCH, ESPECIALLY WITH THE BUILDERS SODDING THE BACKYARD, IS MOST PEOPLE WERE HANGING OUT IN THEIR BACKYARDS, BUT THEY WERE WALKING THEIR DOGS, THEY WERE WALKING AND USING THE TRAIL. SO THAT BECAME THE MOST UTILIZED AMENITY OUT THERE. SO IN TERMS OF THE CONCEPT, YOU KNOW, BE A ATTRACTIVE STREET SCENE WITH WIDE SIDE YARD SETBACKS, [00:15:01] I ENVISION A LOT OF SINGLE STORY PRODUCT, PROBABLY THREE CAR GARAGE PRODUCTS, TRAILS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, AND AGAIN, LOTS THAT ARE LARGER, NOT OFFERED IN MOST OF THE OTHER COMMUNITIES. HERE WE WOULD DO A PRIVATE CENTRALIZED SEPTIC SYSTEM, SO UNDER A TLAP PERMIT. SO NO DISCHARGE PERMIT NEEDED, WHICH IS A BENEFICIAL REUSE. WE DON'T HAVE DOWNSTREAM MOTOR ISSUES. WE DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN THAT. I THINK THE HEARTLAND RANCH SOLUTION WAS GREAT FOR THAT APPLICATION, BUT I THINK THIS IS A LITTLE BIT MORE OF AN EFFICIENT SOLUTION. SO WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PROPOSE THAT TYPE OF SOLUTION. I THINK ONE THING TO FOCUS ON THE PLAN HERE IS WE TRIED TO BUFFER THE EAST AND WEST NEIGHBORS. SO ON THE WEST SIDE WE'VE GOT OUR DRIP FIELD KIND OF BUFFERING AND THERE'S A KIND OF SOME FARM BUILDINGS DOWN NEAR THE CORNER THAT WE WANTED TO KIND OF BUFFER AGAINST. AND THEN ON THE EAST SIDE WE'VE GOT KIND OF A MORE OF A LONG DETENTION BASIN KIND OF CHANNEL. WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO TRACY ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO FOR DISCHARGE OFF OF THAT. AND SO WE'RE KIND OF WORKING ON A SOLUTION THERE. WE ALSO DID A TRAFFIC STUDY THAT WE SUBMITTED TO TRACY AND HIS GROUP. AND WE'VE GOT A CALL SET UP WITH STRUCTURE POINT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO MELD THE MITIGATION AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. BUT OUR GOAL WOULD BE HAVE ALL THAT WORKED OUT BEFORE WE BROUGHT YOU GUYS A DA AND SHOW HOW WE LAYER IN THE MITIGATION. OKAY. SO WE ARE PROPOSING A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, JUST VERY BASIC, SIMILAR TO THE ONES WE'VE DONE BEFORE. BUT WE PROBABLY RECOMMEND A LOT SIZE 70 TO 120, WHICH IS STILL LARGER THAN ALL THE OTHER PROJECTS BEING PROPOSED. SITE BUILT. HOMES, OF COURSE, MINIMUM SQUARE FOOTAGE OF 1200. I'M ENVISIONING LIKE 1700 TO 2700 SQUARE FEET, MOSTLY SINGLE STORY WITH THREE CAR GARAGE. AMENITIES WOULD ALL BE HOA MAINTAINED. SO CONCRETE FENCE ALONG YOUNG LANE, CONCRETE TRAILS AND THEN A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK. A COUPLE THINGS ABOUT THE STREET SECTION. SO WE'D HAVE A 50 FOOT. WE'RE PROPOSING 50 FOOT RIGHT AWAY FOR LOCALS AND THEN 60 FOOT FOR MINERS, WHICH I THINK IS WHAT WE DID AT BOLLINGER. CONSENT TO FORM A MUD AND THEN A LITTLE TWEAK, YOU KNOW, WITH DOING THE, DOING THE TLAP WITH THE PLANT ON SITE. MOST OF THOSE OPERATORS WANT A CERTAIN NUMBER OF CONNECTIONS BEFORE THEY'LL GET THE PLANT KICKED ON. SO WE'D WANT THE OPTION TO PUMP IT HAUL AT OUR COST FOR PHASES ONE AND TWO UNTIL WE GOT THE PLANT OPERATIONAL. OTHER THAN THAT, PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD, I GUESS. ANY QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS? I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PER SE. SCOTT HAS. WE'VE HAD A COUPLE PHONE CALLS WITH TRACY AND THE MAIN CONCERN HAS BEEN ONE OF THE PRIMARY CONCERNS. OUT OF THE TWO OR THREE THAT ARE LISTED IN SCOTT'S PRESENTATION, ONE OF THE MAIN ONES IS TRAFFIC IMPACT ON A YOUNG LANE AND HOW THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT. AFFECT 1322. SO WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THAT CAN BE MITIGATED WITHOUT. WITHOUT TOO MUCH DETRIMENT TO THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD ON YOUNG LANE, SINCE IT IS ACTUALLY ONE OF OUR BETTER ROADS THAT WE HAVE AND IS USED AS A KIND OF A COLLECTOR FOR THAT AREA TO FUNNEL PEOPLE BACK UP INTO. INTO 1322 AND UP INTO LOCKHART. SO THAT'S, THAT'S ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET MITIGATED IF, IF IT'S GOING TO BE AN ISSUE. SO YEAH, I THINK THE ISSUE THERE IS A SPEED COMING DOWN THERE. WE DON'T HAVE THAT MANY ADTS WITH BEING UNDER 300 LOTS. BUT TRACY DIDN'T BRING UP AND THEN OUR TRAFFIC STUDY CONFIRMED THAT SPEEDS MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM. SO WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE WE GOT THE QUEUING IN PLACE. WE GOT SAFE IN AND OUT. THAT AND THE, THE DRAINAGE DISCHARGE ON THE DETENTION SINCE IT IS KIND OF A. IT'S A VERY FLAT, VERY FLAT SITE AND MAKING SURE IT DOESN'T CREATE ANY ISSUES. THAT'S ANOTHER CONCERN THAT TRACY BROUGHT UP AS WELL. BUT THE LARGER LOT SIZE IN HEARTLAND WAS RECEIVED WELL. SO THAT WAS THE REASON TO BRING IT BEFORE COURT AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WAS COMFORTABLE WITH IT BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. IS THIS WASTEWATER DEPRESSION DEPENDENT ON LINES AND. AND FACILITIES THAT ARE BEING PUT IN AT THAT SEAWILLOW DEVELOPMENT? NO, THIS IS A COMPLETE ON SITE DRIP FIELD SYSTEM. IT'S LIKE WHAT WE DID, WHAT THEY DID IN HEARTLAND RANCH. YEAH. JUST INSTEAD OF THE INDIVIDUALS, WE'RE JUST GOING TO COMBINE. WELL, IT WAS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN I THOUGHT AND IT WAS MORE RESTRICTIVE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE COULD PUT ON TOP, WHICH IS WHY WE PIVOTED TO A LOT MORE CONCRETE TRAILS. I THINK THIS IS MORE EFFICIENT. IT WAS REALLY EXPENSIVE TO BUILD 25 OF THOSE INDIVIDUAL SYSTEMS. I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A MORE. A MORE EFFICIENT BUILD. AND THEN ALSO [00:20:01] FROM AN OPERATOR PERSPECTIVE, YOU KNOW, HAVING THE MUD MAINTAIN THOSE, IT'S WORKING. BUT I THINK THERE'S. IF WE COULD BRING IN. IF THE MUD COULD MAINTAIN JUST A SINGLE FACILITY, I THINK IT'D BE A LOT MORE EFFICIENT. OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. [H.1 To discuss and take possible action regarding the approval of the Minutes for the June 25, 2026, regular meeting and budget workshop meeting.] OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GO TO DISCUSSION. ACTION ITEMS. DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM JUNE 25, 2026 REGULAR MEETING AND BUDGET WORKSHOP. GET A MOTION. MOVE TO APPROVE. MOVE TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. [H.2 To discuss and take possible action regarding a variance request for 2.4 acres of land to be exempted from platting located at 10545 S. Highway 183, Lockhart, Texas, Property ID 130562 owned by HR 183, LLC.] MOTION CARRIES. ITEM H2. DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A VARIANCE REQUEST FOR 2.4 ACRES OF LAND TO BE EXEMPTED FROM PLATTING. LOCATED ON 10545 SOUTH HIGHWAY 183, LOCKHART, TEXAS. PROPERTY ID 130562. OWNED BY HR 183, LLC. GOOD MORNING. JUST TO GO INTO A LITTLE BIT OF THE HISTORY OF THIS. THIS LAND WAS ORIGINALLY A 60 PLUS ACRE TRACK. BACK IN 2007, HE ACTUALLY, THE PROPERTY OWNER ACTUALLY WENT IN AND CUT OUT 2.4 ACRES FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES. THEY ESTABLISHED TWO SEPARATE PROPERTY ID NUMBERS. WELL, PRESENT DAY WE'VE COME FORWARD AND EVERYTHING. THEY'VE HAD SOME COMPLIANCE ISSUES THAT WE'RE NEEDING TO BRING THIS FORWARD TO ASK THAT THEY CAN BE EXEMPTED FROM PLATTING SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SITE COMMERCIAL PERMIT BECAUSE THEY'VE ACTUALLY BUILT A SECOND BUILDING ONTO THE PROPERTY AND THEY NEED TO GET ALL THEIR PROPER PERMITS. SO AT THIS TIME, WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR A VARIANCE TO ALLOW EXEMPTING FROM PLATTING SO. SO THEY CAN MOVE FORWARD TO BE ABLE TO GET ANOTHER SEPTIC SYSTEM INSTALLED AND TO GET THEIR BUSINESS PERMANENT CORRECTLY. AND WILL WE BE MOVING THE WATER METER ONTO THAT TWO AND A HALF ACRES AS WELL HERE WITH US AND EVERYTHING. YOU WANT TO SPEAK ON YOUR WATER METER? YOU WANT TO COME UP HERE, JUST SPEAK RIGHT INTO THE MIC. WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO THE WATER COMPANY AND WE ARE GOING TO MOVE THE WATER METER. THEY'VE GIVEN US A QUOTE ON THAT. AND WE'RE. WE'RE AGREEING. WE'RE IN AGREEMENT WITH THAT. AND SO WE'RE READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT. WITH THE WATER METER. OKAY. WE HAVE NOT DONE IT AS YET. OKAY. WE'RE READY TO MOVE FORWARD. ALL RIGHT. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. AND AT THIS TIME, I JUST AM ASKING. I CONSULTED WITH OUR ENGINEER AND WE'RE BOTH IN AGREEMENT THAT WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD AND ASK FOR APPROVAL FROM THE COURT FOR THE VARIANCE. COMMISSIONERS? YEAH, JUDGE, WE WORKED WITH MR. HUCKABEE A WHILE HERE, AND WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET HIM IN COMPLIANCE. SO I APPROVE THIS. I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS VARIANCE. OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE VARIANCE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND? SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. > AYE OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. [H.3 To discuss and take possible action regarding public improvements in Sagada Dos Subdivision for permanent County maintenance and begin the 10-year donation period as evidenced by the Donation Agreement.] THANK YOU. ITEM H3, TO DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS IN SAGADA. DO SUBDIVISION FOR PERMANENT COUNTY MAINTENANCE AND BEGIN 10 YEAR DONATION PERIOD, AS EVIDENCED BY THE DONATION. DONATION AGREEMENT. YEAH, WE'RE READY TO ACCEPT THE COUNTY MAINTENANCE AND THE 10 YEAR BOND PERIOD. OKAY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. GO AHEAD. MOVE APPROVAL. COMMISSIONER THOMAS. YES, SIR. AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ALL RIGHT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. MOTION [H.4 To discuss and take possible action regarding the appointment of Troy Swift to the South Central Texas Water Advisory Committee to succeed Tom Goynes, Caldwell County's representative, who is retiring.] CARRIES. ITEM H4. DISCUSS. ATTENTION. TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF TROY SWIFT TO THE SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS WATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO SUCCEED TOM GOEN, CALDWELL COUNTY'S REPRESENTATIVE WHO IS RETIRING. TOM'S DONE THIS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. HIS. HE HAS GOTTEN TO A POINT WHERE HE CAN NO LONGER DO IT. AND TROY HAS AGREED TO STEP IN TO HIS SHOES. BE BIG SHOES TO FILL, BUT HE'S AGREED TO DO IT, SO LOOK FOR A MOTION. COMMISSIONERS, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. [H.5 To discuss and take possible action regarding the County enrolling in the free Artificial Intelligence training course provided by the Texas Association of Counties County Information Resources Agency pursuant to Texas Government Code 2054.519.] MOTION CARRIES. ITEM H5, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE COUNTY ENROLLMENT. EXCUSE ME. IN THE FREE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING COURSE PROVIDED BY [00:25:01] TEXAS ASSOCIATIONS OF COUNTIES INFORMATION RESOURCES AGENCY PURSUANT TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 2054.519. AND CHRIS COULD NOT BE HERE THIS MORNING. HE IS OUT ILL BUT HE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S REQUIRED NOW BY LAW. AND SO TAC HAS A. HAS A COURSE THAT THEY'RE. THEY'RE MAKING AVAILABLE TO COUNTIES. IT'S FREE OF CHARGE. BUT WE DO ALL HAVE TO DO THIS, JUST AS WE'VE DONE CYBER SECURITY IN THE PAST. IZZY. AND ON THIS ONE, IT HAS A VERY SHORT TIME PERIOD, SO IT'S GOING TO BE DUE BY AUGUST 31ST. SO YOU GUYS HAVE ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF TO DO IT, SO. OKAY. CAN I GET A MOTION? COMMISSIONER? I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE THE ENROLLMENT. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING? NONE. MOTION CARRIES. [H.6 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Adopted 2027 Caldwell County Appraisal District Budget.] ITEM 8. 6. DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE ADOPTED 2027 CALDWELL COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT BUDGET COMMISSIONERS. WE JUST LOOKED FOR A MOTION. I'VE SAID ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS IS WHAT IT IS. DIDN'T WE ACT ON THIS ALREADY? NO, WE. WE DIDN'T. WE CAN'T. I MEAN, BASICALLY, WE'D HAVE TO GET HALF OF THE ENTITIES TO. YEAH. VOTE AGAINST THIS. AND I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW THAT THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. BUT WE CAN, YOU KNOW, VOTE AGAINST IT, BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE HALF THE ENTITIES TO MAKE THEM GO BACK AND TRY TO ADOPT A NEW BUDGET. YOU GUYS ALREADY APPROVED THE PROPOSED ONE? COUPLE AGENDAS. YEAH, BUT WE HAVEN'T. WE HAVEN'T DONE THE FINAL ONE. OKAY. WE GET A MOTION FROM SOMEBODY. I'LL BEGRUDGINGLY MOVE TO APPROVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING? NONE. MOTION CARRIES. DISCUSS AND TAKE [H.7 To discuss and take possible action regarding a Caldwell County Burn Ban.] POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A CALDWELL COUNTY BURN BAN. HECTOR. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONER, STAFF AND GALLERY. OUR FIRES ARE STARTING TO CREEP UP AS TEMPERATURES ARE HITTING TRIPLE DIGITS AND MAKING IT. GRASS IS A LITTLE DRIER THAN WE'VE HAD. RAIN IS STARTING TO INCREASE BECAUSE OF TROPICAL MOISTURE MOVING IN AND MOVING NORTH OVERNIGHT. I'VE BEEN MONITORING ONE BIG TROPICAL WAVE THAT JUST CAME OFF OF MEXICO, AND IT LOOKS VERY PROMISING FOR RAIN FOR THE NEXT WEEK. OUR CHANCES FOR RAIN START TOMORROW WITH 20% AND INCREASING UP TO 40% UP TO WEDNESDAY. CURRENTLY THE KBDI, THE MINIMUM IS 329. MAX IS 414. AVERAGE 361 WITH A CHANGE OF PLUS 15. I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND TO THE COMMISSIONERS THAT WE KEEP THE BURN BAN OFF. OKAY, THANK YOU, HECTOR. COMMISSIONERS, MOTION TO APPROVE. MOTION TO APPROVE KEEPING THE BURN BAN OFF BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. [H.8 To discuss and take possible action on setting the Caldwell County Elected Officials salaries, expenses, and allowances for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.] THANK YOU, HECTOR. ITEM H8, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON SETTING THE CALDWELL COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIAL SALARIES, EXPENSES AND ALLOWANCES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, 2027. COMMISSIONERS WERE JUST SUGGESTING THE SAME 3% RAISE THAT WE'RE SUGGESTING FOR STAFF AND DEPARTMENT HEADS. AND SO WE JUST NEED TO MAKE A MOTION ON SETTING THE SALARY, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER GO AROUND OF THIS IN THE NEXT COURT. BUT RIGHT NOW, WE JUST HAVE TO SET IT, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE. THERE'LL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO WEIGH IN AT THE NEXT GO AROUND. I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY, AYE. AYE. [H.9 To discuss and take possible action regarding donation request for $3,000.00 from Capital Area Rural Transportation System for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.] OPPOSED. HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM H9, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING DONATION REQUESTS FOR $3,000 FROM CAPILLARY RURAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, 2027. COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE DONE TRADITIONALLY FOR YEARS NOW, SO THEY'RE JUST. WE JUST NEED TO FORMALIZE THIS DONATION. MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER [00:30:02] HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSE. HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES. [H.10 To discuss and take possible action regarding Budget Transfer 12-2026 moving $12,000.00 from multiple line items to Delivery Fee to cover some expense invoices.] ITEM H10, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BUDGET TRANSFER 12, 2026, MOVING 12,000 FROM MULTIPLE LINE ITEMS TO DELIVERY FEE TO COVER SOME EXPENSE. EXPENSE INVOICES. DANNY? YES. THIS ONE'S FOR THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT. THE DELIVERY FEE LINE ITEM NEEDS TO BE INCREASED DUE TO DEVONTE HAVING MOVE ALL OF HIS EQUIPMENT AROUND, AND HE USES A MOVING COMPANY, SO HE'S GOTTA INTERNALLY TRANSFER SOME MONEY TO PAY FOR THOSE. YEAH, WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF EXTRA ELECTIONS THIS YEAR, SO HE'S. THAT WE DID NOT SEE COMING. ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONERS, MOTION TO APPROVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSE, HEARING NONE. MOTION [H.11 To approve Budget Transfer 13-2026 moving $5,007.00 to Constable PCT. 4 Transportation Fund from multiple line items.] CARRIES. ITEM H11 APPROVED BUDGET TRANSFER 13, 2026, MOVING $5,007 TO CONSTABLE PRECINCT FOR TRANSPORTATION FUND FOR MULTIPLE LINE ITEMS. THIS ONE IS JUST FOR CONSTABLE PRECINCTS FOR THEIR FUEL LINE. THEIR TRANSPORTATION LINE ITEMS GETTING LOW, SO. OKAY. COMMISSIONERS, MOTION TO APPROVE MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSIONS? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY, AYE. AYE. [H.12 To discuss and take possible action of Budget Transfer 14-2026 moving $18,900.00 for the Sheriff's Department, from Transportation to Repairs and Maintenance to cover Motorola and OnSite Decal invoices.] OPPOSED HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM H12, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON BUDGET TRANSFER 142026, MOVING 18,900 FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FROM TRANSPORTATION TO REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE, COVER MOTOROLA AND ON SITE DECAL INVOICE? YES, THIS ONE. THEY RECEIVED SOME MOTOROLA INVOICES FOR SOME CAMERAS INSIDE THEIR VEHICLES AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH. I AM WORKING WITH CAPTAIN KUYKENDALL AND MOTOROLA TO GET AN ACCOUNT OF ALL THEIR SERVICES VIA RADIOS, BODY CAMERAS, VEHICLE CAMERAS. THAT WAY WE HAVE THE CORRECT NUMBER FOR NEXT BUDGET YEAR. OKAY. COMMISSIONERS MOVE TO APPROVE BUDGET TRANSFER. NEW APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES. 13. YEP. I WAS JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE [H.13 To discuss and take possible action regarding Budget Amendment 13-2026 moving $35,000.00 from Contingency into Rentals to cover expenses.] I DIDN'T MISS SOMETHING HERE. H4. H13, SORRY. DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTIONS REGARDING. REGARDING BUDGET AMENDMENT 132026. MOVING 35,000 FROM CONTINGENCY INTO RENTALS TO COVER EXPENSES. YEP. THIS IS FOR NON DEPARTMENTAL. WE'RE JUST RUNNING LOW A LITTLE BIT IN THE RENTAL LINE ITEM AND I'VE ALREADY WENT AND INCREASED IT FOR NEXT BUDGET YEAR. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, SO MOVE. APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. OPPOSED. DURING. NONE. MOTION [H.14 To discuss and take possible action to approve Budget Amendment 14-2026 repayment to Texas State Comptroller in the amount of $77,239.35.] CARRIES. ITEM H14. DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT 142026 REPAYMENT TO TEXAS STATE COMPTROLLER IN THE AMOUNT OF $77,239 AND 35 CENTS. YES. IF YOU REMEMBER, I BELIEVE TWO COMMISSIONERS COURTS AGO WE HAD A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. SENATE BILL 22 REPAYMENT BACK TO THE COMPTROLLER. WE FINALLY GOT THE NOTIFICATION FOR THE DA SIDE. SO THIS IS JUST TO REPAY THE DA'S REMAINING MONEY WE DIDN'T USE. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, SORRY. I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE. MOVE. APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED. HEARING NONE. MOTION [I. EXECUTIVE SESSION] CARRIES. WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. PERCENT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551087 DISCUSSION DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT APEX GRAPHITE. WE ARE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 9:34. [H.15 To discuss and take possible action regarding updates on Project Apex Graphite economic development negotiations. Commissioners Court may provide further instruction or take necessary action as appropriate.] WE'RE GOING TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 9:50 AND RETURN TO OUR REGULAR SESSION PURSUANT TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551087 DISCUSSION OF DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT GRAPHITE. NO ACTION WILL TAKE PLACE IN OPEN COURT. SO I NEED A MOTION TO TABLE H15. PLEASE MOVE TO TABLE. SECOND. MOVE TO TABLE BY [00:35:02] COMMISSION COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. OPPOSED. HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES. AND WITH THAT WORD, ADJOURNMENT. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SO MOVE. MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. HEARING NO DISSENT, WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 9:51. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.