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[A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER]
THANK YOU FOR COMING TO CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT.WE'RE CALLING THIS MEETING THE ORDER AT 9 O' CLOCK, AUGUST 13, 2026. AND DO WE HAVE ANYBODY TO LEAD THE INVOCATION THIS MORNING? JODY FISHER.
OKAY. PASTOR, WOULD YOU COME UP, PLEASE, AND LEAD US IN THE INVOCATION? OH, JARED FISH.
I'M PASTOR JARED FISHER FROM GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. LET US PRAY. GOOD AND GRACIOUS. GOD, WE ARE REMINDED THAT DESPITE OUR INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES, WE ARE ONE BODY TOGETHER THROUGH CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO YOU SACRIFICED FOR US TO GIVE US THE EXAMPLE. AND WHEN WE ENTER INTO CONVERSATIONS AND RELATIONS WITH EACH OTHER, WE SHOULD DO SO WITH GOOD INTENTIONS, WITH OPEN HEARTS, AND THAT IF WE HAVE TO SPEAK THE HARD TRUTHS OF LIFE, WE DO SO FROM A PLACE OF LOVE. LORD, GRANT THE PEOPLE HERE TODAY THE CONFIDENCE TO SAY WHAT THEY NEED TO SAY AND THE ABILITY TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS THEY CAN.
FOR ALL OF YOUR PEOPLE, WE ASK THIS IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST, OUR SAVIOR, AND LORD JESUS. 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 YOU HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS MORNING? JUST ONE LIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT.JUST WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYBODY IN LOCKHART ISD A GREAT FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL TODAY AND JUST WOULD HOPE THAT WE'RE OFF. GONNA GET OFF TO A GREAT YEAR, AND FOR EVERYONE TO JUST HAVE A LITTLE PATIENCE ON THE ROADWAYS UNTIL WE.
UNTIL WE GET BACK IN THE SWING OF THINGS.
COMMISSIONER THERIOT? NOT FOR ME.
COMMISSIONER THOMAS? NOT FOR ME.
OKAY. STAFF, ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? NO? OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO CITIZENS COMMENTS. I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE WHO
[E. CITIZENS' COMMENTS]
HAVE NEVER SPOKEN BEFORE, SO YOU HAVE FOUR MINUTES. WE ASK YOU TO STATE YOUR NAME AND THE TOWN THAT YOU'RE FROM. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GIVE US YOUR ADDRESS, AND WE ASK THAT YOU KEEP IT CIVIL.WHEN YOU COME UP TO THE PODIUM, IF YOU'RE WEARING A HAT, PLEASE TAKE IT OFF. AND THAT'S ABOUT IT.
IF YOU, IF YOU FOLKS, FOR SOME REASON, NEED TO USE THE RESTROOM, THERE'S ONE RIGHT OUTSIDE THE STORE.
MEN AND WOMEN'S UPSTAIRS AND DOWNSTAIRS IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATIONS.
WITH THAT, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GO THROUGH SOME COMMENTS.
NEIGHBORS. COUNTY JUDGE, I HOPE YOU'RE FEELING BETTER. I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY NOT ONLY AS A LOCAL PASTOR, BUT AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN WHO CARES DEEPLY ABOUT THE HEALTH AND SPIRIT OF OUR CALDWELL COUNTY COMMUNITY. SCRIPTURAL TRADITION TEACHES US TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AND SEEK THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY WE INHABIT.
PART OF THAT CALLING IS ENSURING EVERY NEIGHBOR HAS A VOICE IN THE DECISIONS THAT SHAPE OUR LIVES. THAT IS WHY I'M HERE. REGARDING THE ELECTION BOARD'S PLAN TO CLOSE FOUR OF OUR COUNTY POLLING STATIONS, REDUCING THEM FROM 16 TO 12. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A LOT BEING SAID ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
BOTH PARTIES ARE SAYING DIFFERENT THINGS. THE COUNTY JUDGE IS SAYING DIFFERENT THINGS. THERE'S THREE DIFFERENT NARRATIVES THAT SEEM TO BE GOING ON. SO WHAT IS A CITIZEN TO DO AND HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO SEE THIS CLEARLY? WHEN I LISTEN TO THE RECORDINGS OF THE MEETINGS AND I VIEW THE AGENDA ITEMS, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE GOAL IS TO CLOSE POLLING STATIONS. IT IS A SOLUTION LOOKING FOR A PROBLEM. WHEN YOU ELIMINATE ONE QUARTER OF OUR POLLING STATIONS, YOU INEVITABLY CREATE CONFUSION OR FORCE FOLKS TO DRIVE FARTHER, BUILD UP LONGER LINES ON ELECTION DAYS. IN THE EYES OF MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY, THIS FEELS LESS LIKE ADMINISTRATIVE STREAMLINING AND MORE LIKE A MEASURE TO SUPPRESS THE VOTE. EVEN THOUGH I DO NOT FEEL THAT THAT IS YOUR INTENTION, THAT IS THE IMAGE THAT IS BEING GIVEN. THE MAIN REASON GIVEN FOR THESE CLOSURES IS A SHORTAGE OF BACKUP POLLING EQUIPMENT.
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SO I HAVE QUESTIONS. WHY WASN'T THIS PRIORITIZED EARLIER? WHY WASN'T THE WORKABILITY OF OUR POLLING STATIONS PRESENTED TO US EARLIER IN THIS ELECTION SEASON INSTEAD OF TWO MONTHS BEFORE A MAJOR ELECTION? WHY IN A COUNTY WHERE THE POPULATION IS GROWING EXPONENTIALLY, ARE WE CLOSING POLLING STATIONS? THE MESSAGE JUST ISN'T CLEAR TO THE CITIZENS AS FAR AS THE REASONING AND WHAT'S GOING ON.AS LEADERS, OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES SHOULD PROMPT US TO SEEK SOLUTIONS. THIS ISSUE IS PAINFULLY CLEAR AT ST.
MARK'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN EAST LOCKHART, THE COUNTY PRECINCT FOR THE PRECINCT WHERE I LIVE.
FOR DECADES, ST. MARK'S HAS SERVED AS A SANCTUARY NOT JUST FOR FAITH, BUT FOR CIVIC DUTY. IT SITS IN A MAJORITY MINORITY NEIGHBORHOOD AND COUNTY PRECINCT WHERE MANY ELDERLY AND WORKING CLASS RESIDENTS RELY ON BEING ABLE TO WALK TO THE POLLS. CLOSING ST. MARK'S FORCES THESE FOLKS TO CROSS 183 TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE ADAMS GYM, WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS A TWO MILE DRIVE.
BUT FOR SOMEONE WHO WALKS, THAT'S A HIGHER HILL TO CLIMB. IT CREATES UNNECESSARY BARRIERS FOR THOSE ON THAT SIDE OF TOWN WHO ARE TRYING TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE. I URGE THE COUNTY JUDGE AND ALL OF OUR COMMISSIONERS TO EXHAUST EVERY VIABLE ALTERNATIVE. BEFORE CLOSING A SINGLE VOTING POLLING PLACE, PLEASE CONSIDER FINDING THE BUDGET TO PURCHASE OR RENT THE NECESSARY BACKUP EQUIPMENT.
PROTECTING THE SACRED RIGHT TO VOTE IS WORTH EVERY PENNY OF INVESTMENT. THANK YOU GENTLEMEN FOR YOUR TIME, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR YOUR COMMITMENT THAT I'VE SEEN FROM ALL OF YOU FOR OUR BELOVED CALDWELL COUNTY.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN MARTINDALE. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN HERE FOR CENTURIES. MARTINDALE IS A BELOVED AND SACRED PLACE.
CALDWELL COUNTY IS A BELOVED AND SACRED PLACE. IT'S A PLACE OF PEACE, SERENITY, SAFETY.
BUT THAT IS ALL BEING THREATENED BY THE DATA CENTERS. THE EDGE DATA CENTER IS PARTICULARLY CLOSE TO WHERE I LIVE. IT IS OUR BIGGEST THREAT. AS YOU MAY ALREADY KNOW, ACROSS TEXAS, COMMUNITIES ARE GATHERING. NOT JUST CALDWELL COUNTY.
EVERYWHERE. I'VE ATTENDED THE ZOOM MEETINGS. EVERYONE IS CONCERNED. EVERYBODY WANTS THE DATA CENTER STOPPED. NO ONE IS IN FAVOR. I'M HERE REPRESENTING MY FAMILY, MY NEIGHBORHOOD, MY COMMUNITY. I'M HERE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE WATCHING AND WE WILL BE HOLDING ANYONE ACCOUNTABLE THAT DOESN'T SUPPORT THE SAFETY OF OUR LIVES AND OUR FAMILIES.
THIS IS OUR GREATEST THREAT, OUR GREATEST FIGHT, AND WE WILL NOT STEP DOWN.
ELECTIONS ARE COMING AND WE ARE WATCHING LIKE A HAWK.
MARTINDALE MATTERS. CALDWELL COUNTY MATTERS. THE PEOPLE MATTERS. PLEASE HEAR US. WE WANT DATA CENTERS STOPPED.
HI, I'M ESTHER ESSETZLAGER, CALDWELL COUNTY. I DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING PREPARED, BUT I DO KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE IN CALDWELL HAD NO IDEA, AND STILL HAVE NO IDEA, THAT THE DATA CENTERS WERE TO BE GOING UP AS MASSIVELY DESTRUCTIVE AS THEY WILL BE TO THE ENVIRONMENT, TO OUR ANIMALS, TO OUR CHILDREN, TO OUR WELFARE. SOMETHING SHOULD HAVE BEEN SAID. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING IN PLACE WHERE WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN. NOW WE'RE FIGHTING EXTRA HARD SO THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY WON'T GO UP. AND MOST OF US DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, TO TAKE ACTION, TO DO THAT. BUT ALL WE HAVE IS OUR VOICES AND TO STAND UP HERE TODAY AND TO SAY, PLEASE, NO DATA CENTERS. WE DON'T WANT THEM. THEY WILL AFFECT US IN ONLY NEGATIVE WAYS. THERE'S NOTHING GOOD THAT WILL COME OUT OF THIS FOR YOUR PEOPLE, THE ENVIRONMENT, LIKE I SAID, OUR CHILDREN, WHO HAVE NO VOICE IN THIS,
[00:10:02]
WHO ONLY SEE THE REPERCUSSIONS OF THIS LATER ON, THAT WE DON'T EVEN KNOW HALF OF THE DAMAGE THAT IT WILL DO YET BECAUSE THERE HASN'T BEEN ENOUGH RESEARCH DONE. SO I JUST STAND HERE AND SAY, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, NO DATA CENTERS.OKAY, I GUESS HE'S NOT COMING UP. NEXT ONE.
GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HAYDEN, AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS KATHY HAGLER. I LIVE AT 430 SKYLINE ROAD IN DALE.
THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE ISSUES BEFORE THE COURT CONCERNING POLLING PLACES. ONE IS FOR TODAY, ONE IS FOR TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY. I SENT YOU ALL AN EMAIL ON AT THIS PAST MONDAY EXPLAINING WHY WE CAN NO LONGER CONTINUE TO HAVE LOCKHART, LULING, MARTINDALE AND ULAND AS OUR 4 EARLY VOTING POLLING LOCATIONS.
IT PUTS US IN VIOLATION OF TEXAS ELECTION CODE AND WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WE HAVE ZERO POLLING PLACES IN PRECINCT 1, ONE BRANCH LOCATION IN PRECINCT 2, TWO BRANCH LOCATIONS IN PRECINCT 3, AND ONE MAIN LOCATION IN PRECINCT 4. HAVING TWO LOCATIONS IN ONE PRECINCT WHILE HAVING ZERO IN ANOTHER IS AGAINST THE LAW AND WE'VE BEEN IN VIOLATION TOO LONG. THE EA HAD EARLY VOTING BRANCH LOCATIONS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE JULY 28 COUNTY ELECTION BOARD MEETING, AND HE PASSED OUT A HANDOUT SHOWING THE MAIN LOCATION AS ADAMS GYM AND THE THREE BRANCH LOCATIONS AS LULING, MARTINDALE AND ULAND. BUT THEY DIDN'T FOLLOW THE AGENDA IN THAT MEETING AND THE BRANCH LOCATIONS WERE NEVER DISCUSSED.
THAT WAS THE SAME MEETING WHERE HE HAD SOMEONE ANSWERING ROLL CALL VOTING AND MAKING MOTIONS WHO WAS NOT EVEN LEGALLY ON THE COUNTY ELECTION BOARD FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION.
IN THEIR 86 AUG. 6 MEETING, THE EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS WERE REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD NOT BEEN DISCUSSED AT THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
FOLLOWING ADJOURNMENT, THE EA WAS ASKED IF THEY WERE GOING TO DISCUSS EARLY VOTING BRANCH LOCATIONS AND THE ANSWER WAS THAT WILL BE DECIDED BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT. BUT TODAY ON ITEM H10, THE ORDER OF ELECTION FOR MAINE EARLY VOTING LOCATION FOR NOVEMBER 3RD IS IDENTIFIED AS ADAMS GYM ON YOUR PACKET, BUT THERE IS NO LIST OF EARLY VOTING BRANCH LOCATIONS. AS I MENTIONED IN THE EMAIL I SENT YOU, COMMISSION CLEARLY HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH EARLY VOTING BRANCH LOCATIONS, BUT THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE DOESN'T SPECIFY WHERE OR WHEN.
I ALSO PROVIDED YOU TRAINING MATERIALS FROM SOS RECOMMENDING THAT THE BRANCH LOCATIONS BE INCLUDED IN THE ORDER OF GENERAL ELECTION, AND I PROVIDED YOU SOS FORM 11 AND THE INSTRUCTIONS INDICATING WHERE THE BRANCH LOCATIONS WOULD GO ON THE ELECTION ORDER, AND THAT'S IN THE PACKET I HANDED OUT TODAY. IF YOU AGREE THAT EITHER MARK MARTINDALE OR ULIN MUST BE ELIMINATED, I PROVIDED TO YOU IN TODAY'S HANDOUT HOW MANY REGISTERED VOTERS VOTE IN THOSE CITY ELECTIONS AND WHAT THEIR TURNOUT IS. NOW THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO VIOLATE THE LAW BY HAVING TWO BRANCH LOCATIONS IN PRECINCT 3 WHILE PRECINCT 1 HAS ZERO, I'VE PROVIDED YOU A SUGGESTION FOR AN AMENDMENT TO ITEM H10 TODAY, WHICH IS TO ADD THE BRANCH LOCATIONS OF LULING CIVIC CENTER AND THREE RIVERS COMMUNITY CHURCH. THAT'S ON PAGE TWO IN RED OF THE HANDOUT THAT YOU GOT TODAY. THE SECOND ITEM THAT YOU WILL BE TALKING ABOUT IN TWO WEEKS ON YOUR AGENDA IS ELECTION DAY VOTING LOCATIONS.
THE EA WANTS TO ALWAYS HAVE 16 POLLING PLACES. PEOPLE LIKE TO SAY WE'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE 24. YES, WE ARE.
BUT WE'RE ALLOWED TO COMBINE, AND WE CAN COMBINE DOWN TO WHATEVER NUMBER YOU WANT.
SO THERE IS NOTHING MAGICAL ABOUT 16. SO WE'VE PROVEN IN THE 2022 AND 2024 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RUNOFF AND THE 2026 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RUNOFF THAT IN SMALLER ELECTIONS, EIGHT POLLING PLACES WORK BEAUTIFULLY, SMOOTHLY, EFFICIENTLY.
BUT YOU NATURALLY WANT MORE FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION. AND SO THAT'S WHY WE THINK 12 IS A GOOD IDEA. BUT I KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE WORKING ON THE EXACT NUMBER AND LOCATION STILL IN DISCUSSION. THERE'S THREE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO CONSIDER. NUMBER ONE IS, IS EQUIPMENT. WE DO HAVE AN EQUIPMENT.
WE HAVE ABOUT 26 SECONDS LEFT.
OKAY, SO WE HAVE AN EQUIPMENT SHORTAGE. WE ALWAYS HAVE A SHORTAGE OF ELECTION WORKERS.
AND YOU ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IN THE BUDGET. SO THERE'S A LOT OF MISINFORMATION AND MOTION ABOUT THIS ISSUE. BUT I WILL RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU MAKE YOUR JUDGMENTS ON THE FACTS, THE LAW, AND YOUR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN AS YOU TAKE YOUR CONSTITUENTS CONCERNS INTO CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU.
COULD YOU PULL YOUR MICROPHONE CLOSER, TERESA, SO THEY CAN
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HEAR YOU? GABRIELLA SABAVIA.GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HAYDEN, AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS BARBARA SANCHEZ AND I RESIDE HERE IN LOCKHART. I'M HERE TODAY TO RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO KEEP ST. MARK'S CHURCH AS A POLLING LOCATION SERVING PRECINCT 401. FOR MANY YEARS, ST. MARK'S HAS BEEN A TRUSTED, FAMILIAR, AND ACCESSIBLE PLACE WHERE RESIDENTS ON THE EAST SIDE HAVE EXERCISED THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE. IT'S MORE THAN JUST A BUILDING. IT'S AN ESTABLISHED PART OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES KNOW WHERE IT IS AND DEPEND ON IT AS THEIR POLLING LOCATION. I GREW UP ON THE EAST SIDE OF LOCKHART, AND AS AN ADULT, I CHOSE TO CONTINUE LIVING THERE. SO KEEPING THIS POLLING LOCATION IN OUR COMMUNITY IS VERY PERSONAL TO ME. THE PROPOSED REPLACEMENT ADAMS GYM IS ACROSS TOWN. AND FOR SOME VOTERS, THAT MAY SEEM LIKE A MINOR INCONVENIENCE.
BUT FOR SENIORS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, FAMILIES WITH LIMITED INCOMES, AND RESIDENTS WHO RELY ON WALKING OR GETTING RIDES FROM OTHERS CAN BE A REALLY BARRIER TO VOTING. SO WE ALSO NEED TO ASK, WHAT PROBLEM ARE WE SOLVING BY MOVING THE POLLING LOCATION? AND WHY IS THE BURDEN BEING PLACED ON THE PRECINCT 401 VOTERS, THERE'S BEEN AN ISSUE. THERE HAS BEEN NO ISSUE WITH PARKING. AND THERE'S NOT BEEN ANY CONCERN THAT THE LOCATION IS TOO SMALL OR THAT IT'S UNABLE TO SERVE VOTERS.
MY FAMILY AND MANY FAMILIES LIKE THE ROY PEREZ FAMILY, THE GOMILLIONS FAMILY, THE BALTIERAS, THE RIOJAS, THE ROSSES, THE JOSEPHS, WE'VE ALL USED THAT POLLING LOCATION ON THE EAST SIDE FOR DECADES, AND THERE'S NEVER BEEN ANY SO CALLED PROBLEMS. OUR ELECTION SYSTEM SHOULD MAKE VOTING AS ACCESSIBLE AS POSSIBLE, NOT CREATE UNNECESSARY OBSTACLES.
SO WHEN A POLLING LOCATION HAS SUCCESSFULLY SERVED A NEIGHBORHOOD FOR DECADES, MOVING IT FARTHER AWAY CAN CREATE CONFUSION, INCONVENIENCE, AND MAKE IT HARDER FOR SOME RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE. OR IS THAT THE INTENT? I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO CONSIDER THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN PRECINCT 401 AND THE PRACTICAL REALITIES THAT THEY FACE. PLEASE KEEP ST. MARK'S CHURCH AS THE EASTSIDE POLLING LOCATION. THIS DECISION IS ABOUT MORE THAN A BUILDING OR A LOCATION ON A MAP. IT'S ABOUT ACCESS, EQUITY, MAKING SURE EVERY ELIGIBLE VOTER HAS A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO CAST THEIR BALLOT. I ASK EACH ONE OF YOU TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF PRECINCT 41 AND KEEP ST. MARK'S AS OUR POLLING LOCATION. AND I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AND YOUR TIME, BUT I SINCERELY ASK THAT YOU RESPECTFULLY ENGAGE IN THOUGHTFUL CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT I JUST SAID. THANK YOU.
I'M HERE TO REPRESENT THE LOCKHART EVENING LIONS CLUB.
IT HAD BEEN NOTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT THE BUILDING THAT WE HAVE ON BUFFKIN LANE WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE DUE TO A MISUNDERSTANDING. IT IS AVAILABLE. LOCKHART EVENING LIONS BUILDING ON BUFFIN LANE IS AVAILABLE AS A POLLING PLACE. SO I'D LIKE THE COMMISSIONERS TO NOTE
[00:20:01]
THAT AND NOTE THAT THERE'S ANOTHER POLLING PLACE AVAILABLE AGAIN. LOCKHART EVENING, LIONS CLUB POLY PLACE IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED.COULD EVERYONE PLEASE SILENCE THEIR CELL PHONES? I'M SORRY, MA'AM.
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS BONITA HINDSON. I AM A RESIDENT HERE IN LOCKHART. I WANT TO TALK, MAKE A COMMENT REGARDING ETHICS AND MORALS AND WHETHER MY COMMENT RELATES TO ANY ISSUE HERE TODAY, BE IT DATA CENTERS AND POLLING. I ALSO AM NOT ONLY JUST A CITIZEN, BUT I AM A MOTHER.
AND I TAUGHT SCHOOL FOR MANY YEARS. ONE OF THE COURSES I TAUGHT TOO, ACTUALLY BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY, AND THERE WAS LIKE A HALF A CHAPTER, BUT IT HAD TO DO WITH ETHICS AND LAW AND THE COMPARISON OF THEM. AND ONE WAY THAT I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY GET THROUGH TO MY STUDENTS IN HOW YOU MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, IT CAME FROM A QUOTE BY A MAN I THINK HIS LAST NAME WAS KERN. CAN'T REMEMBER WHETHER IT WAS A YOUTUBE OR WHETHER IT WAS A MOVIE I SAW IT IN.
BUT WHEN HE MADE, WHEN HE MADE HIS COMMENT ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEGALITY AND ETHICS, IT CAME DOWN TO AN ENGINEER WHO DESIGNED THE HEART VALVE AND THE ENGINEER THAT DESIGNED THE DEATH CAMPS AND GAPS CHAMBERS.
SO WHETHER YOU ARE LOOKING AT AN ISSUE INVOLVING POLLUTION, POLITICS, IT'S YOU GUYS WHO ARE IN THE POSITION THAT WE HAVE PLACED TO REALLY SCRUTINIZE YOUR DECISION. THANK YOU.
JOHN CASTILLO, LOCKHART, TEXAS RESIDENT, JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONER THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. THE WAY THE MEETING STARTED WITH THE PASTOR SAYING WITH OPEN HEARTS AND GOOD INTENTIONS, THIS DOES NOT REFLECT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO TODAY BY CLOSING POLLING LOCATIONS.
401 HAS BEEN, I WAS A PRECINCT CHAIR TOO. I'VE GONE AND WORKED NEIGHBORHOODS TO MAKE, TO COMMUNICATE TO PEOPLE THAT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO EXPRESS THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE AND TO MAKE THAT THEIR VOICE IS HEARD WHEN THEY FEEL SOMETIMES THEY AREN'T HEARD.
AND THIS IS ONE WAY OF DISENFRANCHISING VOTERS TO MAKING THEIR VOICE HEARD.
TAKING AWAY A PERSON'S VOTE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S TAKEN LIGHTLY. PEOPLE DIED FOR THIS, PEOPLE HAVE MARCHED FOR THIS. PEOPLE HAVE STOOD IN LINES HOURS AND HOURS AND YOU'RE MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO VOTE AND FOR THEM TO TAKE, YOU KNOW, TO EXPRESS THEIR RIGHT AS A CITIZEN IN THIS, CREATE IN THIS COUNTRY. THE VOTE IS A PRECIOUS, IS PRECIOUS. IT'S ALMOST SACRED. IT IS THE MOST POWERFUL, NON VIOLENT TOOL WE HAVE IN A DEMOCRACY. THIS IS NOT DISPLAYING DEMOCRACY. THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN CELEBRATED 250 YEARS. THIS IS MORE OF A POLITICAL TACTIC MORE THAN SAYING WE DON'T HAVE FUNDS AVAILABLE. WE SHOULD KNOW EVERY TWO TO FOUR, EVERY TWO YEARS WE ARE HAVING AN ELECTION AND WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS. YOU CAN'T USE THE PHRASE MY HANDS ARE TIED ANYMORE. YOU HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO FUND THESE ELECTION PLACES.
AND PEOPLE FEEL LIKE 7/10 OF A MILE IS BAD IS NOT AN INCONVENIENCE. LIKE SPEAKERS HAVE SAID THEY HAVE TO GO THE ELDERLY, THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BUSY DAYS.
THEY HAVE TO GO TO WORK, THEY CAN'T WAIT IN LINE WHILE THEIR FAMILIES DEPEND ON THEM GOING TO WORK TO PROVIDE THEIR, YOU KNOW, THEIR LIVELIHOODS. AND THEN RIGHT NOW, TODAY WE'RE HERE, WE SHOULD BE ESCORTING OUR KIDS
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AND GRANDKIDS TO SCHOOL, BUT WE'RE IN A MEETING RIGHT HERE TALKING ABOUT POLLING LOCATIONS. THANK YOU.BONNIE MARSHALL. BONNIE MARSHALL.
BONNIE MARSHALL, 45 PLUS YEAR RESIDENT OF LOCKHART. I LIVE AT 1003 MONTE VISTA. AND DARRELL IS MY REPRESENTATIVE ON THE COMMISSION BOARD.
COMMISSIONER'S COURT. I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK TODAY, BUT I WAS OVERWHELMED BY THE PRESENCE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AS I CAME IN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE COMMISSIONERS WERE FEARING, BUT I COUNTED 13, MOSTLY SHERIFFS DETECTIVES. YOU CAN SEE THEM STANDING, AND SOME ARE EVEN SEATED WITH THE CITIZENS. I CALL THAT INTIMIDATION. TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. WHY ON EARTH AREN'T YOU HELPING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, IN OUR COUNTY WITH TRAFFIC, WITH SAFETY FOR CHILDREN, WITH THE LINES THAT I AM SURE ARE THERE? AND YOUR PRESENCE AT THE SCHOOL WOULD HELP YOU ESTABLISH A MORE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY, THE PARENTS AS WELL AS THE CHILDREN. SO SHAME ON ALL OF YOU FOR COMING, AND SHAME ON YOU, COMMISSIONERS, FOR FEARING THAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO SPEAK WITHOUT INTIMIDATION. I WAS AT A COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING WHERE IT WAS PRETTY UNRULY. PEOPLE WERE CLAPPING, CALLING OUT. THAT IS NOT THE SITUATION TODAY.
AT THAT MEETING, THERE MAY HAVE BEEN THREE OR FOUR CONSTABLES.
I DON'T KNOW THEIR NAMES, BUT I JUST SEE A BADGE, BUT SOMEONE. JUDGE HAYDEN, YOU HANDLED THAT PERFECTLY. IT WASN'T INTIMIDATION. AND THE REASON I'M BRINGING THIS UP IS BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT.
ABOUT VOTER SUPPRESSION, BUT ARE ALL OF THESE REPRESENTATIVES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT GOING TO APPEAR AT POLLING PLACES IN NOVEMBER? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS STATED, THAT THEY FEAR THE COMMUNITY.
SO ARE YOU GOING TO. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO WORRY ABOUT PEOPLE VOTING THAT AREN'T CITIZENS? WE KNOW THAT YOU CONTROL THE VOTING REGISTRATION, THE VOTING RECORD VERY WELL, BUT I DON'T WANT TO SEE POLICE, SHERIFF'S PEOPLE OUTSIDE MY VOTING PLACE WHEN I GO TO VOTE. SO I JUST FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO BRING THAT UP. AND THE BASIC THING THAT I THINK PEOPLE ARE DISAPPOINTED IN THE COMMISSIONERS IS TRUST.
THE DATA CENTERS THAT CAME IN WERE ALL APPROVED.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S GOING TO STEAMROLL AHEAD, BUT IT WAS DONE IN PRIVATE MEETINGS, IN EXECUTIVE MEETINGS, WITH VERY LITTLE ANNOUNCEMENT. I THINK THAT THERE WAS A TOWN HALL WHERE. MR. HAYDEN, YOU ANNOUNCED THAT WE THEN HAD NINE. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY WE HAVE NOW. YOU NEED TO BE MORE OPEN. YOU NEED TO TRUST YOUR CONSTITUENTS. I DON'T THINK THERE'S EVER BEEN ANY VIOLENCE EVER, IN THE 45 YEARS THAT I LIVED IN LOCKHART. THAT WOULD CAUSE YOU TO FEAR YOUR CONSTITUENTS THAT MUCH, WHERE YOU HAD TO CALL IN ALL OF THESE MEN, AND I RESENT YOU SITTING.
MS. MARSHALL, YOU'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.
ALL RIGHT, FOLKS, I APPRECIATE YOUR. YOUR INVOLVEMENT. WE DO.
BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE THE CLAPPING OKAY, WE DIDN'T LAST TIME, AS MS. MARSHALL SAID. AND. AND WE DO MEAN THAT. SO. AND JUST. JUST AS A POINT OF ORDER. THE REASON THAT THERE IS SO MUCH LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HERE IS THAT I'VE RECEIVED NOT ONE, BUT TWO DEATH THREATS.
THEIR VOICE WAS DISGUISED ON MY PHONE THAT SAID RESIGN OR DIE.
SO IF THAT. THAT IS WHY THEY'RE HERE. NORMALLY WE DON'T HAVE THAT BEING HERE. AND SHE IS CORRECT. SO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT'S BOTHERING YOU. I APOLOGIZE.
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OF THAT TO BE HERE. OKAY, WE CAN GO ON.THAT'S QUITE A THING TO FOLLOW UP THERE. I'M SORRY YOU GOT THOSE DEATH THREATS.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT AS. AS THINGS RAMP UP AND I'M SORRY, COULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME? MY NAME IS DIEGO.
JUST TO START OFF, WANTED TO SAY THAT THAT'S GOT TO BE A LOT OF PRESSURE THAT YOU'RE GOING UNDER THERE. BUT YOU KNOW THE WHY THAT'S HAPPENING. TWO MONTHS AGO, YOU BASICALLY PROMISED ALL OF US AND YOU STOOD BEFORE THIS COMMUNITY AND PLEDGED TO FIGHT FOR THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS THAT WERE AGAINST DATA CENTERS.
IN THE SAME TIME, YOU WERE MAKING PROMISES TO SIGNING A PRE SALE AGREEMENTS ON YOUR OWN RANCH LAND WITH DATA CENTERS. YOUR OWN DISTRICT ATTORNEY ASSISTANT FIRED HIMSELF. I GUESS BECAUSE THERE WAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. YOU KNOW, THAT'S ENOUGH TO REALLY STIR THE POT FOR THE COMMUNITY. AND WE ARE PEOPLE THAT. NOT ME. I DEFINITELY DIDN'T VOTE FOR YOU. BUT THERE'S DEFINITELY PEOPLE THAT DID. AND THEY FEEL BETRAYED. AND THIS WHOLE, OH, MY HANDS ARE TIED, IT'S NOT FLYING ANYMORE. KYLE KUTCHER, HE'S UNDER THE SAME KIND OF PRESSURE RIGHT NOW FOR HIS DEALINGS WITH DATA CENTERS. AND WE GAVE HIM PRESSURE. YOU KNOW, AT SOME POINT, JESUS COMES INTO THE TEMPLE WITH A WHIP BECAUSE THIS. THIS IS JUST LUDICROUS. THESE DATA CENTERS DON'T NEED THE WATER.
FOR WHAT PURPOSE? IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOU GUYS ARE PART OF A CLUB THAT YOU GET TO PARTICIPATE IN CLOSE DEALS THAT NONE OF US GET TO SEE HER HERE UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE. LIKE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'M HERE THIS EARLY. LIKE I'M HUNGOVER. I HAD A NIGHT. I HAD TO WORK.
LIKE I HAVE A LIFE. BUT TO COME HERE AND TO HAVE TO STARE YOU GUYS DOWN EVERY SINGLE TIME AND THEN TO GET NO RESPONSE, JUST BUSINESS AS USUAL. THESE BILLIONAIRES THAT ARE PUSHING THESE DATA CENTERS, THESE SAM ALTMANS, THESE MONGRELS, ARE THE SAME PEOPLE ON THE EPSTEIN LIST ARE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT ARE TELLING YOU, OH, IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY.
IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY. WHAT KIND OF PRESSURE ARE YOU GUYS UNDER? I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW. BECAUSE THE LORD CAN PROTECT ALL OF US, INCLUDING YOU GUYS. AND IF THERE'S SOME SORT OF PRESSURE THAT YOU'RE NOT DISCLOSING TO US, THEN I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S FAIR TO SAY. YOUR POSITION IS A POSITION THAT NO ONE WANTS TO BE IN, ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW.
BUT IF YOU PLAY BY THE RULES, SO DOES YOUR COMMUNITY. I THINK THAT'S. THAT'S WHAT. WHY YOU'RE GETTING DEATH THREATS. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS STUFF. LIKE, NOBODY WANTS TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT STUFF. BUT.
BUT NOW THAT THAT'S OUT, I MEAN, HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THAT'S EVEN REAL? HOW DO WE KNOW THAT'S NOT JUST ANOTHER PR STUNT FOR YOU TO DO? BRUTAL INTIMIDATION. THERE'S SO MUCH TRANSPARENCY THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED. BUT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE. MAYBE IT'S REAL. BUT NOW THAT THE TRUST HAS BEEN BROKEN, THE ONLY WAY FOR THAT TRUST TO BE AMENDED AGAIN IS FOR YOU TO RESIGN. YOU BROKE THE LAW.
THAT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED. I MEAN, IT. IT'S. IT'S. CHAPTER 171 REQUIRES OFFICIALS TO DISCLOSE IN FULL AND ON TIME ANY SUBSEQUENT INTEREST IN PROPERTY THAT COUNTY ACTION WOULD AFFECT. SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GETTING THAT YOU DIDN'T VIOLATE THE LAW BECAUSE YOU DID. AND, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK TO ME EITHER. BUT, LIKE, THAT'S FINE. WE CAN ALL BREAK SOME RULES, RIGHT? I GUESS YOU'RE USED TO THAT RIGHT NOW, AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
BUT REALLY, LIKE, I'M AN ANCESTOR OF THIS.
OF THIS LAND. MY PEOPLE ARE KAWALTEKAN. I COME FROM PEOPLE THAT. BEFORE COUNTY LINES WERE EVEN HERE, WE HAD PEOPLE DRINKING OUT OF THESE AQUIFERS, PROTECTING THESE LANDS. AND I'M THE ANCESTOR OF THESE LANDS, AND I'VE COME BACK TO DO THE SAME. I'M TIRED OF THIS DUDE. LIKE, I WANT TO GO MAKE ART. I WANT TO GO MAKE MUSIC. I WANT. I WANT TO GO DO WHAT I'M HERE TO DO. NOT THIS.
THANK YOU, MICHAEL. DIA TO LEVY.
[00:35:05]
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MIKE DIETOLEVI. I'M FROM DALE.I'M GONNA SAY WHAT EVERYBODY HERE IS THINKING. THIS WHOLE THING WITH THE POLLING PLACES AND THE TIMING, IT'S VERY SUSPECT.
WE'VE ALREADY WATCHED ABBOTT GERRYMANDER THE STATE TO TRY AND GET MORE VOTES FOR THE REPUBLICANS. AND YOU GUYS DOING THIS, THIS CLOSE TO AN ELECTION, REALLY, YOU PLAN SOMETHING LIKE THIS? YOU NEED SOME MONEY? GO ASK THE GUY WHO JUST GILDED A HORSE FOR $5 MILLION TO GIVE US A COUPLE OF BUCKS SO THAT OUR PEOPLE CAN VOTE.
BECAUSE WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS WRONG. AND WE'RE PAYING ATTENTION. AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET IT WASH. WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET IT WASH. JUST KNOW THAT.
THANK YOU. FOLKS, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE. WE THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS CHRIS PAGNETTI. I LIVE HERE IN LOCKHART. JUDGE HAYDEN, YOU DON'T DESERVE DEATH THREATS. NOBODY DOES FOR THIS KIND OF THING. THAT'S NOT OUR VOICE, AND I CONDEMN THAT ENTIRELY.
THAT SAID, YOU HAVE SAID THAT YOU HAVE NO PLANS TO RESIGN.
AND I THINK THAT DEMONSTRATES EXACTLY HOW FAR REMOVED THAT YOU ARE THAT YOU'VE BECOME FROM THE STANDARD THAT THIS OFFICE SHOULD REQUIRE. FOR MONTHS, THIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS DEALT WITH DATA CENTERS, DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, TAX INCENTIVES, INFRASTRUCTURE, WATER, LAND USE, AND THE ENORMOUS ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES THAT THESE PROJECTS CREATE.
THEN, ON 21 JULY, YOU SIGN AN AGREEMENT INVOLVING YOUR OWN LAND FOR POTENTIAL DEATH DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT. YOU DISCLOSE IT AFTERWARD, AND NOW YOU PROMISE TO RECUSE YOURSELF GOING FORWARD. BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT PUBLIC TRUST CANNOT BE RETROACTIVELY RECUSED. A COUNTY JUDGE SHOULD POSSESS ENOUGH JUDGMENT TO RECOGNIZE A SITUATION THIS CORROSIVE TO PUBLIC CONFIDENCE BEFORE PUTTING HIS SIGNATURE ON IT. I'M NOT ACCUSING YOU OF A CRIME. I DO NOT NEED TO. I AM JUDGING YOUR FITNESS FOR OFFICE BY YOUR OWN PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGED DECISIONS.
YOU OCCUPIED ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL POSITIONS IN CALDWELL COUNTY WHILE THIS INDUSTRY WAS CHANGING THE ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE OF THE COUNTY. AND YOU HAD ACCESS TO MEETINGS AND OFFICIALS, DEVELOPERS, LAWYERS, POLICY DECISIONS, NEGOTIATIONS, AND INFORMATION THAT ORDINARY LANDOWNERS SIMPLY DO NOT EXPERIENCE FROM THE COUNTY JUDGE'S CHAIR.
THEN YOUR OWN PROPERTY BECAME PART OF THE SUBJECT OR SUBJECT OF THE POTENTIAL DATA CENTER SALE. AND YOUR ANSWER TO THE PUBLIC IS ESSENTIALLY THAT YOU FILED THE PAPERWORK. AND THAT MAY SATISFY YOU, BUT IT DOES NOT SATISFY US.
ETHICS IN PUBLIC OFFICE REQUIRED JUDGMENT WORTHY OF THE TRUST BEING PLACED IN YOU. YOUR CONDUCT HAS CREATED A CLOUD OVER EVERY DATA CENTER DECISION THAT THIS COUNTY MADE WHILE YOU WERE SITTING AT THE TABLE. EVERY RESIDENT NOW HAS A LEGITIMATE REASON TO ASK WHEN DECISIONS WERE BEING MADE ABOUT DEVELOPMENT, ABOUT INCENTIVES AND INFRASTRUCTURE, WATER, AND THE FUTURE VALUE OF LAND IN THE COUNTY THAT I JUST MOVED TO, WHOSE. WHOSE INTERESTS ARE BEING SERVED.
YOU CREATED THAT QUESTION, AND YOU OWN IT NOW. CALDWELL COUNTY WILL CONTINUE CARRYING IT FOR AS LONG AS YOU REMAIN THE JUDGE. IT'S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY BY RECUSING YOURSELF OR PROMISES THAT THEY'RE ALL EMPTY. NOW, I CONDEMN ALSO ANY EFFORT TO CLOSE THE POLLING PLACES THAT YOU JUST INVITED PEOPLE TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS YOUR DECISION AT LET THE VOTERS DECIDE AND THEN LET'S CLOSE SOME POLLING PLACES. THAT'S. IT DOESN'T.
DOESN'T SHOW THAT YOU'RE CONFIDENT ABOUT.
ABOUT YOUR POSITION. IT'S JUST THAT YOU'RE SCARED. SO END IT.
JUST RESIGN, PLEASE. IT WILL END ALL OF THIS. THANK YOU, GAIL. WARREN.
I'M DIRECTING THIS TO THE COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS AND ALSO THE COUNTY ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. I ASK THAT ALL STATEMENTS BY THIS PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT TODAY BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT ABOUT ANY PROPOSED CHANGES OF POLLING LOCATIONS BE ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD. I AM ASKING THE COURT TO PUT THE FACTS ON, ON THE RECORD BEFORE TAKING AN ACTION THAT COULD DIRECTLY AFFECT VOTERS ACCESS TO THE BALLOT. IN NOVEMBER 2022, MIDTERM ELECTION CYCLE, CALDWELL COUNTY HAD 25,240 48 REGISTERED VOTERS. BY MAY 2026, THAT NUMBER HAD GROWN TO 27,465 REGISTERED VOTERS.
THAT'S AN INCREASE OF 2,217 VOTERS,
[00:40:04]
OR APPROXIMATELY 8.8%. YET WHILE THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS HAS INCREASED NEARLY 9%, THIS COURT IS PROPOSING A REDUCTION IN POLLING LOCATIONS BY APPROXIMATELY 25%. THOSE TWO NUMBERS MOVE IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. SO MY QUESTION IS SIMPLE. WHERE IS THE DATA DEMONSTRATING THAT THIS REDUCTION IS NECESSARY? AND WHY IS IT SO URGENT THAT IT MUST BE DONE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ANOTHER MAJOR ELECTION? I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT EVERY STUDY, ANALYSIS, REPORT, RECOMMENDATION, COST COMPARISON, VOTER IMPACT ASSESSMENT, TURNOUT PROJECTION, OR OTHER DOCUMENT RELIED UPON TO JUSTIFY THIS 25% REDUCTION BE IDENTIFIED AND ENTERED INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD. IF SUCH ANALYSIS EXISTS, THE PUBLIC DESERVES TO SEE IT. IF IT DOESN'T EXIST, THE COURT SHOULD ASK WHY IT IS BEING. THE COURT SHOULD ASK WHY IT IS BEING ASKED TO MAKE SUCH A CONSEQUENTIAL DECISION WITHOUT THAT INFORMATION.THERE IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT ISSUE. THE 20, 25 AND 26 COUNTY BUDGET HAS ALREADY BEEN ADOPTED AND FUNDING WAS PROVIDED FOR ELECTION OPERATIONS AND POLLING LOCATIONS. WHAT NEW INFORMATION. HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO THE COURT FOR ADOPTION OF ANY CHANGES IN POLLING LOCATIONS? AGAIN, I ASK THAT ALL THAT INFORMATION BE ENTERED INTO PUBLIC RECORD. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST TO PRESERVE POLLING LOCATIONS FOREVER.
IT IS A REQUEST FOR EVIDENCE BEFORE ACTION.
WITH REGISTERED VOTERS INCREASING, NOT DECREASING, THE BURDEN SHOULD BE ON THE GOVERNMENT TO DEMONSTRATE WHY REDUCING VOTER ACCESS POINTS BY 25% ARE NECESSARY NOW. UNTIL THAT EVIDENCE HAS BEEN PRODUCED, PUBLICLY, EXAMINED AND PLACED IN RECORD, I RESPECT REQUEST THAT THE COURT POSTPONE ANY REDUCTIONS IN POLLING LOCATIONS UNTIL AFTER THE UPCOMING ELECTION, THE BURDEN SHOULD NOT BE ON THE VOTERS TO PROVE WHY POLLING PLACES SHOULD REMAIN OPEN. THE BURDEN IS ON THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVE WHY THEY SHOULD BE CLOSED. SO FAR THIS COURT HAS NOT PRODUCED THAT EVIDENCE. GOVERNMENT EXISTS TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.
WHERE IS THE PUBLIC DEMAND FOR THESE CLOSURES? WHERE IS THE RECORD OF CITIZENS COMING BEFORE THIS COURT ASKING FOR FEWER POLLING PLACES? INSTEAD, THE CITIZENS STANDING BEFORE YOU TODAY ARE ASKING YOU NOT TO REDUCE THEIR ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX. THESE CITIZENS SPEAKING TO THIS ISSUE TODAY ASK THAT ANY CHANGES IN POLLING PLACES BE HALTED UNTIL AFTER THIS UPCOMING ELECTION.
THIS HAS BEEN NO PROOF OF URGENCY PRESENTED TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO OUR POLLING LOCATIONS BROUGHT TO PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE NECESSITY FOR THESE CHANGES. IT IS INCUMBENT UPON THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO PUT INTO RECORD THE DUE DILIGENCE TAKEN IN SUCH DECISIONS. VOTER ACCESS SHOULD NEVER BE REDUCED FIRST, JUSTIFIED LATER.
GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS SUZANNE RIVAS, PROUDLY BORN, RAISED AND CONTINUE TO LIVE HERE IN LOCKHART. MY PERSPECTIVE IS THAT I'M BRINGING TODAY IS THAT OF AN ELECTION WORKER. I'VE SERVED AS AN ELECTION JUDGE FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS STARTING DURING COVID WORKING AT LOCATIONS IN MAXWELL, MARTINDALE, AND LOCKHART.
HAVING WORKED ON THE GROUND, I'VE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE SAFE AND SECURE PROCESS OUR ELECTIONS OFFICE COMMITS TO AND I'M THANKFUL FOR THE LEADERSHIP AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES THAT DEVONTE AND HIS STAFF HAVE PROVIDED.
PROVIDED. BUT I ALSO SEE HOW MUCH CONFUSION ALREADY EXISTS ON ELECTION DAY. WE ALL KNOW WE HAVE TO GO TO OUR ASSIGNED POLLING LOCATION TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY AND THAT'S WHEN I WORK ON ELECTION DAY IN OUR RURAL LOCATIONS. I REGULARLY SEE OUR HARD WORKING COMMUNITY MEMBERS RUSH IN SOMETIMES AT THE LAST MINUTE AFTER WORKING A LONG DAY OF WORK AT OR SO ONLY TO LEARN THAT THEY'RE AT THE WRONG LOCATION AND HAVE TO DRIVE TO 20 MINUTES ACROSS THE COUNTY. I SEE THE CONFUSION
[00:45:02]
AND DISAPPOINTMENT ON THEIR FACES WHEN THEY REALIZE THAT THEY WON'T MAKE IT. CLOSING DECADES OLD POLLING LOCATIONS WILL MULTIPLY THAT CONFUSION EXPONENTIALLY AND GUARANTEE THAT ELIGIBLE CITIZENS LOSE THEIR VOTE. YOU YOURSELVES RELY ON VOTERS FOR THE SEATS THAT YOU'RE SITTING IN TODAY. THERE ARE SOLUTIONS TO ALMOST EVERY PROBLEM IF WE LOOK HARD ENOUGH.AND OUR VOTES ON THE EAST SIDE DESERVE A SOLUTION THAT DOESN'T SHUT THEM OUT. PROBLEM SOLVE AND MAKE DECISIONS AS IF YOUR SEAT WAS ON THE BALLOT. AND MR. HAYDEN, I THINK YOURS IS AND YOU NEEDED EVERY SINGLE VOTE YOU COULD GET. LET'S BE AN EXAMPLE FOR TEXAS THAT CALDWELL COUNTY SOLVES PROBLEMS FOR OUR VOTERS BECAUSE EXERCISING THE RIGHT TO VOTE BELONGS TO ALL OF US.
AND ONE MORE THING THAT I HAVE TO SAY, I DID WORK THE RUNOFF ELECTIONS THIS PAST MAY, AND IT WAS NOT AS SMOOTH AS PORTRAYED.
THERE WERE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP BECAUSE WE HAD COMBINED POLLING LOCATIONS THAT WE HAD TO REROUTE TO DIFFERENT AREAS. AND THANKFULLY, WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT. BUT IT IS NOT AS SEAMLESS AS PORTRAYED.
HI. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONERS.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW ME, I'M ELIZABETH CLEANSE. I'M THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR TEXAS STATE HOUSE HERE IN OUR DISTRICT IN DISTRICT 17. I CAME THIS MORNING FROM GIDDINGS OVER IN LEE COUNTY TO SPEAK ON THE ISSUE OF CLOSING THE POLLING LOCATIONS.
YOU KNOW, I THINK I'M STATING THE OBVIOUS BY SAYING THAT WE'RE LIVING IN VERY POLITICALLY TURBULENT AND DIVISIVE TIMES. BUT THERE'S ONE ISSUE WHEN PEOPLE ARE SURVEYED THAT ACROSS THE BOARD, IN ANY POLITICAL PARTY OR POLITICAL PERSUASION THAT PEOPLE AGREE ON, 95% OF PEOPLE AGREE THAT EVERY VOTE COUNTS. AND AS PEOPLE HAVE SAID, HOW SACRED THE VOTE IS THE FOUNDATION TO OUR COUNTRY. CLOSING POLLING LOCATIONS LITERALLY TWO MONTHS BEFORE EARLY VOTING IS JUST A WAY TO UNDERMINE THE VOTING PROCESS. AND I'VE HEARD OVER AND OVER AS I'VE TRAVELED ACROSS THE DISTRICT ABOUT THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES, THE DISTRUST, THE CONCERN FOR LACK OF INTEGRITY IN OUR VOTING PROCESS. AGAIN, THIS COMES FROM ALL POLITICAL PERSUASIONS THAT I'VE HEARD THIS FROM. SO I WOULD REALLY, REALLY ENCOURAGE THE JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONERS TO THINK VERY HARD ABOUT THE ISSUE OF CLOSING POLLING LOCATIONS.
WE'VE HEARD ALREADY FROM SOME OF OUR R ONE OF OUR SPEAKERS THAT CALDWELL COUNTY IS LIKELY NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH POLLING LAW IN TEXAS ON MANY ISSUES. THE ONE BEING THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH POLLING LOCATIONS. AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SOME DISCRETION TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. SO MAYBE REVISING THE WHOLE POLLING LOCATION SHOULD BE SOMETHING DONE AT A TIME WHEN IT CAN BE DONE IN AN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT WAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME YOUR TIME.
GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HAYDEN, AND COMMISSIONERS.
VOTING SHOULD BE SIMPLE, CONVENIENT, AND FAIR. YET SOME OF OUR COUNTY OFFICIALS SEEM INTENT ON MAKING IT HARDER FOR MANY OF OUR CALDWELL COUNTY CITIZENS TO VOTE BY CLOSING FOUR LOCATIONS, ONE OF WHICH, 401, IS LOCATED IN A HISTORICALLY DISENFRANCHISED COMMUNITY. THIS IS WRONG.
STUDIES OFTEN FIND THAT FORCING VOTERS TO RELOCATE CAN BE TAKEN DIFFICULT FOR THOSE VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES WHO WORK HOURLY JOBS OR WHO HAVE LIMITED TRANSPORT. ALSO, CLOSING POLLING LOCATIONS CAN CAUSE SOME VOTERS TO JUST GIVE UP ON THE WHOLE ELECTION PROCESS.
THE LATE CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS SAID, YOUR VOTE IS PRECIOUS, ALMOST SACRED. I URGE THE COMMISSIONERS TO TAKE CONGRESSMAN LEWIS WORDS TO HEART AND VOTE EVENTS CLOSING THE FOUR POLLING LOCATIONS. THANK YOU.
[00:50:06]
HELLO, MY NAME IS KELSEY LANG AND I LIVE IN LOCKHART. I MOSTLY JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT TRANSPARENCY. THERE HAS NOT BEEN MUCH TRANSPARENCY WHEN IT COMES TO CERTAIN ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY THE COURT OVER THE PAST YEAR OR SO. AND IT CONTINUES TO SEEM LIKE THAT TRANSPARENCY HAS NOT.EVEN WITH THE COURT KNOWING THAT, IT SEEMS LIKE THE COURT HAS STILL NOT WANTED TO BE TRANSPARENT. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, ON H16 AND H17, WE ARE ONLY GIVEN THE PROJECT NAMES FOR THESE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS.
ANYBODY WHO WOULD BE LOOKING AT THIS WOULD NOT REALIZE WHAT THOSE PROJECTS ACTUALLY ENTAIL.
AND THEN IT GOES INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. SO IT'S VERY DIFFICULT AS A CITIZEN TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR COURT IS DOING AND WHAT.
WHAT WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. ALSO, WHEN IT COMES TO POLLING LOCATIONS, I MEAN, I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE ABLE TO EXPRESS HOW WE FEEL AND HOW WE THINK THINGS SHOULD BE RUN THROUGH THE REPRESENTATIVES THAT WE VOTE FOR. AND TO HAVE THAT BE TAKEN AWAY, ESPECIALLY FROM PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE, YOU KNOW, ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES IN THE SAME WAY AS OTHERS, I DO NOT THINK IS RIGHT. AND I THINK THAT THE COURT SHOULD RECONSIDER THAT.
CLAUDIA HOLLERN, CALDWELL COUNTY. THIS IS ABOUT TRUST. HOW WE TRUSTED YOUR WORDS FOR MONTHS THAT YOUR HANDS WERE TIED AND YOU WOULD DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF CALDWELL COUNTY FROM DATA CENTERS, ONLY TO TURN AROUND AND SELL YOUR LAND TO DATA CENTER DEVELOPERS AND TAKE CAMPAIGN FUNDS FROM A DATA CENTER LAND BROKER.
UNFORTUNATELY, THAT TRUST HAS BEEN BROKEN. I UNDERSTAND A PRIVATE CITIZEN HAS THE RIGHT TO SELL THEIR LAND TO WHOEVER THEY LIKE.
BUT WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO HOLD AN ELECTED OFFICE, YOUR LITERAL JOB IS TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT.
HOW IS YET ANOTHER DATA CENTER COMING TO OUR AREA WITH YOU, RECUSING YOURSELF FOR MATTERS REGARDING IT, REPRESENTING US AS THE PEOPLE AND NOT YOUR OWN INTERESTS.
BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. I HAVE A PETITION WITH SPEAKER 300 SIGNATURES SAYING THE SAME THING. AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE AREAS THESE FOLKS ARE FROM, IT'S MARTINDALE, DALE FENTRESS, LULING, LOCKHART. I'M SURE A HUGE PAYOUT FOR YOUR LAND WILL BRING GENERATIONAL WEALTH TO YOUR FAMILY, BUT WHAT WILL IT DO FOR THE REST OF US? GENERATIONAL DROUGHTS, GENERATIONAL HEAT BUBBLES, GENERATIONAL DECREASED LAND VALUES. HOLDING OFFICE IS AND SHOULD BE ABOUT MAKING SURE ALL PEOPLE, INCLUDING. INCLUDING THOSE WITH THE LEAST AMONGST YOU, HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE, NOT ABOUT MAKING DEALS WITH THE VERY WEALTHIEST WHO ARE ABLE TO BULLDOZE THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY'S WISHES.
AND WHILE WE'RE AT IT, DON'T CLOSE POLLING LOCATIONS, ESPECIALLY LOCATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR DECADES. DON'T ASSUME EVERYONE CAN JUST AFFORD A CAR WHEN MINIMUM WAGE HASN'T INCREASED IN 17 YEARS OR EVERYONE HAS THE MOBILITY TO JUST WALK 3/4 OF A MILE.
INSTEAD, LOOK HOW FORTUNATE YOU ARE. HAVE BEEN IN YOUR LIFE TO NOT EVEN CONSIDER THESE FACTORS. YOU KNOW WHY YOU KEEP PULLING LOCATIONS OPEN? SO THE HARD WORKING AMERICANS WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE A DAY OFF CAN RUSH TO THE POLLING LOCATIONS AFTER THEY GET OFF WORK AND COMMUTE. SO MOTHERS WHO WATCH CHILDREN ALL DAY CAN TRADE OFF THEIR KIDS WITH THEIR SPOUSE TO GET THERE. SO ELDERLY PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO FIND A NEW PLACE THEY AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH. SO FOLKS WITH MOBILITY ISSUES DON'T HAVE TO GO TO MULTIPLE LOCATIONS.
TIME IS A LUXURY IN OUR SOCIETY. IT IS NOT SOMETHING TO GIVE A FLIPPANT ALTERNATIVE TO. YOU CAN ACT LIKE WE'RE MISINFORMED OR THROW THINGS BACK AT US AS IF WE'RE DOING SOMETHING WRONG, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I'M NOT SELLING MY LAND TO A DATA CENTER OR CLOSING POLLING LOCATIONS. I'M JUST SPEAKING OUT AGAINST IT.
THERE ARE NO OTHER CITIZEN COMMENTS.
[F. CONSENT AGENDA]
WE WILL MOVE TO CONSENT. IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONSENT AGENDA, I'D LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE. PLEASE. MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE. APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL[00:55:02]
IN FAVOR SAY AYE.[G.1 Discussion requested by County Judge regarding his plans to remain in office.]
OPPOSED? HEARING? NONE.MOTION CARRIES. ITEM G1, DISCUSS DISCUSSION REQUESTED BY COUNTY JUDGE REGARDING PLANS, HIS PLANS TO REMAIN IN OFFICE. LET'S HAVE A BRIEF STATEMENT I'D LIKE TO READ.
FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK. TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS CALLED ME AND ENCOURAGED ME TO NOT RESIGN AND STOP ON THE BALLOT. I'VE BEEN COUNTY JUDGE FOR SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS.
BEFORE THAT I WAS COMMISSIONER.
I'VE LIVED IN THIS COUNTY 32 YEARS AND I LOVE THIS COUNTY.
AND I'VE WORKED VERY HARD TO DO MY JOB WITH FAIRNESS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS IN MIND. THE COUNTY HAS DONE THREE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS WITH DATA CENTERS AND TWO TAX ABATEMENTS TO GET TWO REALLY GOOD DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS THAT ARE FULL OF PROTECTIONS FOR THE SYSTEM. THIS IN THIS COUNTY, I WAS INVOLVED IN GETTING THOSE CONCESSIONS FROM THE DATA CENTER DEVELOPERS. IN THESE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET DATA CENTER DEVELOPERS TO AGREE TO USE CLOSED LOOP COOLING IN BOTH DATA CENTER AND ELECTRICAL GENERATION. RESTRICTED WATER USE TO 200 GALLONS PER MEGAWATT PER MONTH. THEY MUST USE NON POTABLE WATER TO FILL THEIR CLOSED LOOPS.
THEY MUST REMOVE 80% OF THE TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS FROM STORM WATER. THEY MUST USE DARK SKY LIGHTING AND NOISE ABATEMENT ALONG WITH ROAD USE AGREEMENTS, RIGHT OF WAY DEDICATIONS AND MANY OTHER PROTECTIONS FOR THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY. WE DID THIS BECAUSE WITHOUT DOING THIS, THE COUNTY HAS ONLY CONTROL OVER DRAINAGE, DRIVEWAY PERMITS AND SEPTIC TANKS. AND THAT IS NOT MY OPINION. THAT IS STATUTE. I DID ENTER INTO A PRE SALES AGREEMENT.
WHAT WE HAVEN'T SAID PUBLICLY IS THAT WE DID THAT BECAUSE THERE IS 1500 ACRE RANCH RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO US THAT'S IN DISCUSSIONS. THE FAMILY IS ABSENTEE. NOBODY LIVES ON THAT RANCH. SO WE DID ENTER A PRE SALES AGREEMENT ON OUR PROPERTY AND THREE OTHER PROPERTY OWNERS THAT JOINED THAT PROPERTY DID AS WELL. ALL PARTIES HAVE SINCE BEEN RELEASED FROM THAT PRE SALES AGREEMENT.
THE PRE SALES AGREEMENT IS DONE SO BOTH PARTIES CAN GET OUT AT ANY POINT DURING THE DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS AND THAT RIGHT WAS EXERCISED MUTUALLY BY ALL PARTIES. I DID NOT BASE THIS DECISION ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA AND NEWS ARTICLES. I BASED THIS DECISION ON WHAT WAS BEST FOR MY FAMILY.
I FEEL FREE. I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE PRE SALES AGREEMENT AND I DID DISCLOSE PROPERLY DUE TO THE SUPPORT THAT I HAVE RECEIVED.
IT'S BEST TO ALLOW VOTERS TO VOTE AT ELECTION DAY AND DECIDE IF I STAY IN OFFICE OR IF I LEAVE OFFICE.
AND I WILL ACCEPT EITHER DECISION. I'M NOT GOING TO RESIGN AND I'M NOT GOING TO REMOVE MY NAME FROM THE BALLOT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. COMMISSIONERS, IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION, I'D ENTERTAIN IT.
[H.1 To discuss and take possible action regarding the approval of the Minutes for the July 23, 2026, regular meeting.]
OKAY, WE'LL GO AHEAD TO DISCUSSION. ACTION ITEMS ITEM H1 DISCUSS AND TAX. TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE JULY 23, 2026 REGULAR MEETING.MOVE FOR APPROVAL FOR THOSE THAT COULDN'T HEAR. I SAID DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION. REGARDING APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR JULY 23, 2026 REGULAR MEETING. WE HAVE A MOVE FOR APPROVAL FROM COMMISSIONER HORNE.
SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[H.2 To consider public streets and drainage in Esperanza Ranch TX, LLC as complete and ready to begin the two-year performance period as evidenced by a maintenance bond in the amount of $101,807.00 for maintenance security.]
OPPOSED? HEARING? NONE. MOTION CARRIES.ITEM H2, CONSIDER PUBLIC STREETS AND DRAINAGE IN ESPERANZA RANCH TEXAS LLC AS COMPLETE AND READY TO BEGIN THE TWO YEAR PERFORMANCE PERIOD AS EVIDENCED BY A MAINTENANCE BOND IN THE AMOUNT OF $101,807 FOR MAINTENANCE SECURITY.
PUNCH LIST HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND RECEIVED. READY TO ACCEPT.
OKAY. IS THAT MICROPHONE STILL ON? I CAN BARELY HEAR YOU.
CAN YOU REPEAT THAT? I SAID PUNCH LIST HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND READY TO ACCEPT A TWO YEAR MAINTENANCE.
COMMISSIONERS, MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE FOR APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORN. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TERRIO. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY II OPPOSED HEARING? NONE. MOTION CARRIES.
[H.3 To discuss and take possible action regarding a variance request concerning the road frontage requirements for a proposed three-lot replat in Windmill Hollow, Lot #1A, on approximately 4.146 acres located off FM 20 and Taylorsville Road.]
POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A VARIANCE REQUEST CONCERNING THE ROAD DRAINAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPOSED THREE LOT REPLAT IN WINDMILL HOLLOW, LOT 1A[01:00:08]
ON APPROXIMATELY 4.146 ACRES OFF FM20 IN TAYLORSVILLE ROAD.AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO PRESENT THIS. THEY WERE ASKING TO DO A THREE LOT SHORT FORM PLAT SPLIT TWO OF THE LOTS THAT. I'M SORRY, THE TRACK ITSELF FACES 20 AND TAYLORSVILLE ROAD. ON THE TAYLORSVILLE ROAD SIDE, THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOT A SHORTAGE OF THE FRONTAGE REQUIREMENT, WHICH IS 150 FOOT FOR A TRACK. THEY'RE SUGGESTING THAT WE DO A VARIANCE REQUEST FOR 138 FOOT OF FRONTAGE ON ONE OF THE TRACKS, 140 ON THE OTHER ONE, AND THEY DO A SHARED USE DRIVEWAY. SO AT THIS TIME, I'M JUST ASKING FOR THE COURT TO CONSIDER A VARIANCE REQUEST FOR THE FRONTAGE REQUIREMENTS.
OKAY, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. YEAH, JUDGE, WE TALKED WITH MS. ENGEL AND THE OWNER AND MOVED IT OFF OF TAYLORSVILLE. I MEAN OFF OF 20 AND PUT IT ON TAYLOR'S. AND SO THAT'S WHY WE MOVED IT. WE DIDN'T WANT IT OFF OF 20. AND SO I APPROVE THIS VARIANCE FOR APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[H.4 To discuss and take possible action regarding a variance request to allow the four existing tracts to change lot lines and apply for a Short Form Plat on approximately 38.789 acres located off Political Road on Aubrey Lane.]
OPPOSED? HEARING? NONE.MOTION CARRIES. ITEM H4 DISCUSSING TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A VARIANCE REQUEST TO ALLOW FOUR EXISTING TRACKS TO CHANGE LOT.
TO CHANGE LOT LINES AND APPLY FOR A SHORT FORM PLAT ON APPROXIMATELY 38.789 ACRES LOCATED ON POLITICAL ROAD ON AUBREY LANE.
OKAY. I'D LIKE TO START BY SAYING THAT THIS WAS ACTUALLY ESTABLISHED BACK IN 1997 WHERE THE FOUR LOTS WERE ESTABLISHED. DUE TO A RECENT SURVEY THAT WAS DONE.
THERE WAS SOME INCORRECT SURVEYING DONE THE FIRST TIME.
LOT LOTS, LOT LINES NEED TO BE ADJUSTED. NOW, ONE OF THE TRACKS HAVE ACTUALLY FALLEN UNDER 10 ACRES. SO WE WERE ASKING FOR A VARIANCE REQUEST TO DO A. TO BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR A SHORT FORM PLAT TO CORRECT ALL OF THE LOT LINES.
OKAY, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.
DISCUSSING THIS FOR A LITTLE WHILE. AND THESE TRACKS WERE ORIGINALLY CREATED IN THE MID-90S. THE TRANSACTIONS THAT HAVE ADJUSTED THESE INTERNAL LOT LINES HAVE BEEN DUE TO SEVERAL FACTORS.
YOU KNOW, PASSING LAND ON AND. AND ADJUSTING FENCE LINES, THOSE KIND OF THINGS.
SO I'M COMFORTABLE SINCE THEY EXISTED FOR THAT LONG TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL FOR THIS VARIANCE.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM H4 FROM COMMISSIONER THERIOT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE.
OPPOSED? HEARING? NONE. MOTION
[H.5 To discuss and take possible action regarding an Order to adopt portions of the 2024 International Fire Code.]
CARRIES.THANK YOU. ITEM H5. DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN ORDER TO ADOPT PORTIONS OF THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE.
HANG ON JUST A SEC. TRACY, LET ME READ THE ORDER REAL QUICK, JUST SO WE GOT IT ON THE RECORD. WHEREAS CALDWELL COUNTY WISHES TO ADOPT A FIRE CODE TO PROTECT HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ITS CITIZENS AND WHEREAS THE AUTHORITY OF CALDWELL COUNTY TO A TOP ADOPT A FIRE CODE IS DERIVED FROM CHAPTER 233, CHAPTER C, TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 233.061, AS AMENDED AND WHEREAS, THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT OF CALDWELL COUNTY FINDS THAT THE FIRE THAT FIRES HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PAST WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN THE FUTURE AND THAT DAMAGE TO THE PROPERTY AND LOSS OF LIFE OCCURS FOR MANY REASONS, INCLUDING FIRES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED OR MINIMIZED BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE EGRESS TIME AND PROTECTIONS FOR PEOPLE EXPOSED TO FIRE AND WHEREAS, THE PURPOSE OF TO THIS FIRE CODE IS PROVIDE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS REGARDED DUE TO FUNCTION FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND MULTI FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS CONSISTING OF FOUR OR MORE UNITS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM FIRE THE COMMISSIONER OF CALDWELL COUNTY FINDS THAT ADOPTING A FIRE CODE AND REQUIRING PERMITS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND SUBSTITUTE SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND MULTI FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS CONSISTING OF FOUR OR MORE UNITS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS ALLOWS THE COUNTY TO IMPOSE STANDARDS TO PROTECT HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE AND PROPERTY OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND WHEREAS CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT WISHES TO ADOPT INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE 2024 EDITION PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE COUNT FIRE CODE COUNCIL BECAUSE IT PROVIDES AN APPROPRIATE PROTECTIVE MEASURE AND IS WITHIN THE BEST PRACTICES AND CONTINUITY WITH OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
[01:05:01]
IN AND AROUND CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS WHEREAS UPON THIS COURT'S ADOPTION OF A COUNTY FIRE CODE, THE CALDWELL COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE SHALL INSPECT A BUILDING SUBJECT TO SECTION 233.064A OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE BUILDING COMPLIES WITH THE COUNTY FIRE CODE.AND. EXCUSE ME. AND WHEREAS, CALDWELL COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE SHALL ISSUE PERMITS FOR INSPECTIONS AND COLLECTION FEES ACCORDING TO THE FEE SCHEDULE ADOPTED IN THE FIRE CODE AND WE WILL. I'LL READ THE AND NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED AND RESOLVED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR COLWELL COUNTY, TEXAS. COWELL COUNTY FIRE CODE BASED ON INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE 2024, PUBLISHED IN THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL, IS HEREBY ADOPTED, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 13, 2026. WE'RE NOT ADOPTING IT RIGHT THIS SECOND.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION AND THEN POSSIBLE ACTION. OKAY, TRACY. SORRY.
A SORRY. I GOT A LITTLE OVEREAGER THERE. IT'S BEEN A LONG MORNING. A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANT TO DISCUSS SPECIFICALLY IN THE FIRE CODE. ONE IS APPLICABILITY. THE ORDER MENTIONS THAT WE'RE ADOPTING PORTIONS OF IT. CHAPTER 233, LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE IS VERY SPECIFIC ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES THE COUNTY CAN ADOPT A FIRE CODE. AND IT'S RESTRICTED TO COMMERCIAL BUILDING, COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION, PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND MULTI FAMILY, WHICH IS UNIQUELY DEFINED IN CHAPTER 233, LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, AS FOUR OR MORE. THERE ARE OTHER PLACES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, THE REAL PROPERTY CODE AND THE STATE CONSTITUTION THAT DEFINE MULTIFAMILY IN DIFFERENT WAYS, BUT 233 IS VERY SPECIFIC. IT'S FOUR OR MORE STRUCTURES. THE OTHER THING I WANT TO MENTION IS SELECTION OF THE FIRE CODE. WE ARE RECOMMENDING AND THE ORDER IS TO ADOPT IFC 2026. THE IFC INTERNATIONAL BARCODE IS UPDATED APPROXIMATELY EVERY FOUR YEARS. THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS AND UPGRADES IN THE 2024 IFC SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO NEWER TECHNOLOGY. THE WAY IT TREATS BATTERY STORAGE, SOME HAZARDS, CHEMICALS, AND THINGS LIKE THAT ARE A SIGNIFICANT UPGRADE FROM EARLIER VERSIONS OF THE FIRE CODE. THERE WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT ADOPTING OLDER VERSIONS IN 2024 BECAUSE THEY WERE BETTER UNDERSTOOD, MORE WIDELY USED AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT.
A BUT IT WAS OUR RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT 2024 BECAUSE IT SPECIFICALLY IS ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF DEALING WITH SOME OF THESE NEWER TECHNOLOGIES AND NEWER HAZARDS.
ANOTHER GENERAL ITEM IS APPLICABILITY. THERE ARE TWO ESDS WITHIN THE COUNTY THAT HAVE ADOPTED FIRE CODES. SINCE THOSE TWO ESDS HAVE ADOPTED FIRE CODES, THIS WILL NOT APPLY TO THE.
THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTY ARE SUBJECT TO THE FIRE CODES WERE ADOPTED BY THOSE ESDS. THIS FIRE CODE WILL REPLY WILL APPLY TO THE REMAINDER OF THE COUNTY AFTER THIS ADOPTION.
SUBSEQUENT ADOPTIONS BY ESDS AND THE AREAS OF THE COUNTY. THIS APPLIES TO OUR. THERE'S PROBABLY LEGAL WORD THAT MR. WEBER COULD ADVISE ME ON, BUT THEY ARE FORESTALLED FROM BEING ABLE TO ADOPT THEIR OWN FIRE CODE.
THEY WILL FALL UNDER THIS, WHICH WILL PROVIDE BETTER.
BETTER CONSISTENCY ACROSS THAT REMAINING PORTION OF THE COUNTY FOR ONE SET OF RULES FOR EVERYBODY TO HAVE TO FOLLOW. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SPECIFIC ITEMS IN THE ADOPTION THAT ARE. THAT ARE WORTH DISCUSSION. THERE IS INSIDE THE IFC AND IN THE ADOPTION ORDER VARIANCES THAT THE FIRE CODE OFFICIAL CAN.
CAN GRANT. AND NOW THOSE VARIANCES. THIS SAYS VERY SPECIFICALLY THE APPLICANT HAS SHOWN GOOD AND SUFFICIENT CAUSE FOR VARIANCE. THE FAILURE TO GRANT A VARIANCE WOULD RESULT IN EXCEPTIONAL HARDSHIP TO THE APPLICANT, AND GRANTING VARIANCE WILL NOT RESULT IN INCREASED RISK OF FIRE, ADDITIONAL THREATS TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY, EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC EXPENSE, OR CREATE NUISANCES, CAUSE, FRAUD, OR VICTIMIZATION OF THE PUBLIC. WE ADDED FROM OTHER SAMPLE CODES THAT WE HAD REVIEWED A PROCESS IN WHICH THE FIRE CODE OFFICIAL HAS TO COME TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, AND ASK THAT THAT VARIANCE BE PUT ON THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT CONSENT AGENDA AND PROVIDES THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT THE OPPORTUNITY, THEN PULL THAT FOR DISCUSSION AND VARIANCE IS NOT GRANTED UNTIL THE COMMISSIONER COURT HAS AFFIRMED THAT VARIANCE. WE'VE ADDED THAT AS AN ADDITIONAL PROTECTIVE MEASURE IN THE ORDINANCE. THE LAST THING WORTHY OF POINTING OUT, THAT'S SLIGHTLY UNIQUE IN THIS ADOPTION IN THE FIRE CODE AND THE WAY COUNTIES HAVE ADOPTED IT. THERE IS A BOARD OF APPEALS. SO IF THE CHIEF FIRE CODE OFFICIAL HAS NOT GRANTED A VARIANCE THAT SOMEONE HAS ASKED FOR, THERE'S A PROCESS TO APPEAL THAT. WE HAVE DRAFTED
[01:10:01]
THIS SUCH THAT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS THE BODY FOR THAT APPEAL. THAT KEEPS IT PUBLIC IN A PUBLIC MEETING THAT'S RECORDED. WE'VE ALSO PROVIDED A PROVISION FOR A THIRD PARTY EXPERT TO BE CONSULTED TO PROVIDE AN OPINION IN SUPPORT OR AGAINST THE FIRE CODE OFFICIAL'S RECOMMENDATION.MANY COUNTIES HAVE ADOPTED THE BOARD OF APPEALS TO BE A GROUP OF PRIVATE CITIZENS THAT WAS SELECTED FROM THE PUBLIC. AND IT INCLUDES, AND IT'S VERY SPECIFIC, INCLUDES AN ARCHITECT, AN ENGINEER. THERE ARE FIVE. AND I'M NOT GOING TO REMEMBER ALL THE QUALIFICATIONS. I PERSONALLY SAT ON THE TRAVIS COUNTY APPEALS BOARD FOR A WHILE, AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE TRAVIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL VOICED THAT THEY HAD A REALLY DIFFICULT TIME POPULATING THAT BOARD. IT MEETS VERY, VERY INFREQUENTLY. AND TRYING TO FIND ONE ARCHITECT, ONE ENGINEER, ONE FIRE PROFESSIONAL, ALL THESE THINGS WAS VERY DIFFICULT IN A COUNTY THAT IS MUCH, MUCH LARGER AND HAS MANY MORE ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, ETC.
THAN CALDWELL COUNTY. AND SO, BASED UPON THOSE TWO FACTORS, ONE, KEEPING IT AS A PUBLIC MEETING AND THE AVAILABILITY OF PEOPLE QUALIFIED UNDER THOSE VERY UNIQUE AND NARROW DESCRIPTIONS, WE WERE RECOMMENDING THAT IT BE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT, BE THE BOUNDARY BODY FOR THE APPEALS. SEE THE. THAT WAS REALLY IT. IN SUMMARY, HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS COME UP FROM THE COURT.
ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING OR THE ORDER? OKAY. IF NOT, I WOULD LOOK FOR A MOTION. OKAY, GO AHEAD.
JUST LIKE FOR THE OTHER FOLKS.
BUT SO DO WE HAVE A PLAN FOR THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE? WILL WE CONTRACT WITH SOMEONE OR HIRE AN EMPLOYEE? I THINK RIGHT NOW WE CONTRACT AN OUTSIDE FIRM. I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. THERE'S A FIRM THAT LULING USES THAT DO A VERY GOOD JOB AT THE FIRE CODE AND ENFORCING THE FIRE CODE.
THEY'RE FIRE MARSHALS. THAT'S WHAT THEY DO. THEY ALSO CAN INSPECT PLANS TO MAKE SURE PLANS ARE COMPLIANT WITH FIRE CODES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION. WE CAN'T, OF COURSE, DO IT TODAY, BUT I THINK THAT'S A PERTINENT QUESTION. AND SO I WOULD SUSPECT THAT WE'D GO THROUGH PURCHASING AND GO OUT FOR A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND THEN HIRE AN OUTSIDE FIRM, HELP US UNTIL WE COULD BUDGET FOR A NEW FIRE MARSHAL THAT WORKS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE COUNTY.
THAT'S GOOD. I. I SUPPORT THIS.
IT GIVES US ANOTHER TOOL TO HELP US REGULATE SOME OF THE BIGGER INDUSTRIAL TYPE DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE COMING INTO THE COUNTY, INCLUDING DATA CENTERS. ALLOWS US TO REVIEW INSIDE THE BUILDING WHERE.
RIGHT. RIGHT NOW WE'RE RESTRICTED TO JUST OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING. SO THIS. THIS IS A GOOD TOOL FOR THE COUNTY TO HAVE.
AND I'LL. I'LL RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
CAN YOU COME UP TO THE THING SO WE CAN HEAR YOU, PLEASE GET YOU ON RECORD. I'M SORRY. I'M SORRY FOR THAT.
LINDA HINKLE. I KNOW I'M NOT ON THE AGENDA TO SPEAK, BUT THIS FIRE CODE, I DON'T REALLY THINK THERE'S BEEN ENOUGH DONE TO READ IT AND SEE WHAT IT REALLY MEANS. I LOOKED OVER IT. THERE'S A LOT IN THAT. THERE'S A LOT OF FEAR FEES IN THERE. I SAW THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT TRACY JUST SAID THAT MAY OR MAY NOT CHANGE. I DON'T THINK Y' ALL ARE READY TO ADOPT THIS. I THINK YOU NEED TO TABLE IT AND LET REALLY LOOK AT IT AND SEE WHAT. WHAT APPLIES AND DOESN'T APPLY. YOU KNOW, I WORK IN OTHER COUNTIES, TOO, AND THIS. THIS FIRE CODE IS WAY DIFFERENT FROM SOME OF THE OTHERS. I DON'T THINK WE HERE IN OUR COUNTY REQUIRE THIS DEPTH OF A FIRE CODE. AND I'M JUST SAYING THAT WHEN WE HAVE A FIRE MARSHAL, YOU KNOW, THAT WE CAN CALL. I HAVE POLLED VARIOUS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS ON SOME STATEMENTS THAT WANT TO BE PUT ON SUBDIVISION PLATS ABOUT FIRE CODES AND WHETHER OR NOT IT MEETS THE FIRE CODE.
AND NONE OF THEM, EVEN IN THE SDS EMERGENCY DISTRICT SERVICES, WILL SIGN SOMETHING BECAUSE WE REALLY AND TRULY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO PUT OUR TEETH INTO. AND THIS IS. THIS JUST PUT OUT THERE THAT NOBODY'S HAD TIME TO REVIEW AND LOOK AT. I THINK IT'S. I THINK YOU'RE PUSHING IT, ESPECIALLY IF THERE'S GOING TO BE CHANGES THAT TRACY JUST
[01:15:02]
MENTIONED. I THINK YOU NEED TO REVAMP IT AND LOOK AT IT AGAIN BEFORE YOU HIRE A COMPANY AND PUT ALL THESE RULES IN PLACE. THEY'RE TO GOING AFFECT PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, MULTI FAMILIES AND THIS KIND OF STUFF. WE DO NOT HAVE THE WATER CAPACITY OR WATER 10 INCH WATER LINES TO PUT FIRE HYDRANTS AND STUFF IN. THE BIG DEVELOPERS AREN'T EVEN DOING THAT. THEY'RE NOT UPGRADING AND PUTTING IN FIRE HYDRANTS. NOW WE'RE GOING TO PICK ON THE SINGLE FAMILY, MULTI FAMILIES. THERE'S A LOT TO BE REVIEWED IN THAT AND I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO DIGEST IT ALL.BUT I'M TELLING YOU, YOU JUST MY OPINION AND ON RECORD, IT'S A BAD IDEA TO, TO PASS THIS TODAY. THANK YOU.
J. THAT'S, THAT WOULD BE MY, THAT WAS ONE OF MY QUESTIONS TO BE THAT WOULD WE BE ABLE TO REVIEW THE FIRE CODES? DUE TO THE FACT THAT COMMISSIONER TERRIO BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE INDUSTRIALS THAT'S BEEN IN AND MY EXPERIENCE WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT, DEPARTMENT AND FAR CODES, YOU HAVE TO REALLY WATCH STANDPIPE SYSTEMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. SO I WOULD AGREE.
THAT TAKES FURTHER REVIEW TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL STANDARDS ARE PRELIMINARY. THAT IS A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE SOMEONE TO COME IN AND THEN GIVE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TIME ENOUGH TO LOOK OVER THESE THINGS AND SEE ARE THEY PERTINENT TO WHAT WE WANT TO DO WITH ALL THE NEW CONSTRUCTIONS AND THINGS INDUSTRIAL COMING IN DIARY.
OKAY. COMMISSIONER THERIOT, WERE YOU GOING TO MAKE A MOTION? YEAH, I'LL STAND BY MY MOTION FOR APPROVAL. I, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GOOD TOOL FOR THE COUNTY TO HAVE. I'M NOT SAYING WE, WE MAY NEED TO REVISIT IT, YOU KNOW, ON OCCASION TO, TO ADJUST THINGS THAT. THAT ARE PROBLEMATIC. BUT RIGHT NOW WITH THE DEVELOPMENT COMING INTO THE COUNTY, WE NEED TO HAVE THIS ABILITY.
AND IF WE DON'T ADOPT A COUNTYWIDE FIRE CODE, THEN THE ESDS WILL CONTINUE TO ADOPT FIRE CODES ON THEIR OWN AND WE'LL HAVE FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT REGULATIONS AROUND THE COUNTY THAT AREN'T CONSISTENT WITH EACH OTHER AND AREN'T CONSISTENTLY ENFORCED.
SO THIS WILL ESTABLISH A COUNTY FIRE CODE ON THE AREAS NOT CURRENTLY COVERED BY THE ESDS. AND I THINK WE NEED TO GET THIS IN PLACE.
OKAY, THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION ON ITEM H5. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? NO. SECOND.
I'LL SECOND TILL I FOR DISCUSSION.
ALL RIGHT, GO AHEAD. HE SAID HE WOULD SECOND TO ALLOW FOR DISCUSSION.
I KNOW. ESD1. IT WAS THE FIRST ESD IN THE COUNTY THAT ADOPTED FIRE CODE. THAT ESD IS MANAGED BY ESD 11 OUT OF TRAVIS COUNTY.
JUST. I DO NOT RECALL. WHAT IS THE SECOND ESD IN THE COUNTY THAT ADOPTED THREE MAC? THREE.
THREE DID. OKAY. I WAS JUST CURIOUS ON THAT. I. MY PERSONAL OPINION IS I WOULD. I WOULD LIKE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO CHEW ON IT JUST BECAUSE OF THE TIMING THAT WE RECEIVED THE.
THAT'S. THAT'S MY OPINION. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE THAT IT DOES NEED TO BE PASSED. I WOULD PREFER TO CHEW ON IT FOR AT LEAST A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO TRY TO. TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M COMFORTABLE WITH EVERYTHING IN IT. AND AGAIN, THAT'S JUST MY PERSONAL PREFERENCE. I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THE FACT THAT WE DO NEED TO ADOPT IT AND WE DO NEED TO HAVE UNIFIED CODE COVERAGE IN THE AREAS THAT WE STILL HAVE SOME CONTROL OVER. BUT AT THIS POINT, I WOULD JUST LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO REVIEW IT IN A MORE SUFFICIENT MANNER.
OKAY, BUT ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE DOING THIS IS THERE'S A PROJECT IN YOUR PRECINCT, I UNDERSTAND, EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS THAT THIS WOULD ALLOW US TO REGULATE, AND WE CAN COME BACK AND MODIFY IT AS WE PLEASE. BUT IF. IF THAT. THAT PARTICULAR PROJECT HAS. HAS IN FOR A PERMIT, A COMMERCIAL WELL PERMIT, THEY GET IT, THEY GET THEIR SEPTIC PERMIT, AND THEY GET TO REASON CONSTRUCTION. SO I THINK THERE'S. THERE'S. FOR THAT REASON, ADOPTING IT IS TIME.
FOR THAT REASON. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. I DON'T. MA'AM, I GOT. WE'VE GOT. THERE.
THEY HAVE A. THEY HAVE APPLIED FOR A COMMERCIAL WELL PERMIT, AND THEY. THEY. AND THEY WILL GET THEIR SEPTIC PERMIT, AND THEN WE HAVE NO ABILITY TO STOP.
[INAUDIBLE] WELL, AND WE CAN COME BACK, WE CAN ADOPT IT, WE CAN UNADOPT IT, WE CAN MODIFY IT AS WE GO. I.
[01:20:01]
I'M. THAT'S MY OPINION. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE IN THAT AREA. SO THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? JUDGE? JUDGE, CAN I ASK. MAKE A COUPLE OBSERVATIONS? YES, PLEASE. MS. FRED, DO YOU MIND PULLING YOUR. I CAN'T HEAR YOU.THIS HAS BEEN KIND OF. I JUST LEARNED ABOUT THIS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. WE'VE BEEN TALKING. I'VE BEEN TALKING IN COMMUNICATION WITH TRACY ABOUT IT, TRYING TO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER. I'M READING.
YOU GOTTA PUT. FRED, YOU GOTTA PULL YOUR MICROPHONE UP.
I'M GOING THROUGH THE DOCUMENTS THAT WAS PUT IN THE BACKUP. AND BEFORE, IF Y' ALL CHOOSE TO ADOPT IT, BEFORE YOU DO, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ERRORS IN IT. TYPOGRAPHICAL, SPELLING ERRORS, AND IN PARTICULAR WITH SECTION 1.8. SECTION 1.8, WHICH IS THE BASIS FOR REGULATION, MAKES A REFERENCE TO THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT A. BUT THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT A THAT I RECEIVED IS SIMPLY THE FEE SCHEDULE. AND AS IT'S DESCRIBED IN THE ACTUAL DOCUMENT THAT'S TALKING ABOUT THE ADOPTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE WITH ANY ADDITIONS, INSERTIONS, DELETIONS, AND CHANGES AS SET OUT IN EXHIBIT A. BUT EXHIBIT A IS ONLY THE FEE SCHEDULE.
OKAY. I THOUGHT THAT HAD ALL BEEN REVIEWED BEFORE IT GOT HERE. SO.
A THE DRAFT HAD BEEN CIRCULATED AND REVIEWED A COUPLE OF TIMES. MR. WEBER IS CORRECT.
THAT REFERENCE SHOULD SAY PRESCRIBED HEREIN RATHER THAN IN EXHIBIT A.
A OUR LIST OF CHANGES ARE ALL LISTED WITHIN THE DOCUMENT ITSELF AND NOT CONTAINED IN A SEPARATE EXHIBIT BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT EX. EXTENSIVE MODIFICATIONS.
OKAY. WOULD YOU LIKE TO MODIFY YOUR MOTION BASED ON THAT CHANGE AND WORDING? AND FRED, ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT? I AM. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE COURT IS AWARE A LITTLE BIT OF CLEANUP ON THIS.
I'LL MODIFY THE MOTION TO RECOMMEND THAT THAT LANGUAGE BE AMENDED AS MENTIONED BY OUR ENGINEER.
OKAY. WE HAVE MOTION. A MODIFIED MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. WE HAVE A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE.
ANY DISCUSS ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? NOT.
OH, GO AHEAD. WERE YOU GOING TO SAY SOMETHING? ABSTAIN.
OKAY. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
NO FOR COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.
OPPOSED? OPPOSED FROM COMMISSIONER THOMAS. SO, THREE.
[H.6 To discuss and take possible action regarding Resolution 34-2026 suspending economic incentive and tax abatement agreements related to large-scale data centers pending adjournment of the 90th Legislative Session.]
DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING RESOLUTION 342026 SUSPENDING ECONOMIC INCENTIVE AND TAX ABATEMENTS.TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENTS RELATED TO LARGE SCALE DATA CENTERS PENDING ADJOURNMENT AT THE 90TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
SO COMMISSIONER THERIOT, I THINK THEY GOT YOU AS THE N THIS ONE.
JUDGE, WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL DATA CENTERS THAT. THAT WE'VE.
WELL, WE'VE HAD TWO THAT WE'VE ENTERED INTO TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENTS AND THREE, THAT WE'VE ENTERED INTO DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS ON.
AND SO YOU KNOW, THE. WHEN I FIRST CONTEMPLATED PUTTING AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA RELATED TO THESE, I THINK WE'RE THE REASONS THAT THE TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENTS WERE CONSIDERED ON. THESE WERE SEVERAL. THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS TO. ONE, TO PROVIDE THE INCENTIVES TO ENTER INTO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH US SO THAT WE COULD IMPOSE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS ON THEM AND TWO, TO PROTECT THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF THE COUNTIES FINANCIAL SITUATION. A BIG MULTI BILLION DOLLAR FACILITY HITTING OUR TAX ROLLS COULD AT LEAST FOR ONE OR TWO YEARS, WRECK THE COUNTY'S FINANCES BY PUSHING OUR TAX RATE TO ALMOST ZERO OR THE LOW VERY LOW AMOUNT. SO INITIALLY. WELL, CONSIDERING THIS, I BELIEVE THAT WITH THE TWO DATA CENTERS THAT WE KNOW ARE
[01:25:04]
GOING TO OCCUR, I BELIEVE WE ARE IN A POSITION NOW THAT WE CAN FINANCIALLY ABSORB THE IMPACT OF THOSE DATA CENTERS AND THOSE BIG AMOUNTS THAT HIT OUR TAX ROLLS WITHOUT DOING THE TAX ABATEMENTS. AND PLEASE TELL ME IF I'M WRONG OR I'M OPEN TO DISCUSSION ON THAT, BUT I REMOVED THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FROM THIS PAUSE BECAUSE I AFTER MUCH THOUGHT, THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IS THE ONLY TOOL THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE ANY NEGOTIATION WITH THESE COMPANIES THAT ARE COMING IN AND TO IMPOSE DIFFERENT PROTECTIONS FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY. WITHOUT A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, THE DATA CENTERS CAN SIT JUST SIMPLY PULL A DRAINAGE PERMIT AND DEVELOP IN THE COUNTY WITHOUT EVER COMING TO THE COURT. AND THAT'S DUE TO THE TEXAS LEGISLATION LEGISLATURE AND THEIR LAWS RELATING TO OUR AUTHORITY. SO I'M RECOMMENDING THAT WE CONSIDER THIS RESOLUTION THAT WE PAUSE THE CONSIDERATION OF TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENTS.MAYBE THIS WILL PROVIDE SOME DISCOURAGEMENT TO NEW ONES LOOKING TO COME IN UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT THE TEXAS LIFE LEGISLATURE CONVENES AND CONSIDERS PROVIDING COUNTIES WITH MORE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE DATA CENTERS. AND SO THE I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR FRED.
IF, IF WE OKAY, DO WE WANT TO GO AHEAD AND JUST READ THE RESOLUTION REAL QUICK SO THAT WHEN WE GET TO A POINT WE CAN WE CAN VOTE RESOLUTION 342026 WHEREAS THE COLWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT ADOPTED RESOLUTION 292026 ON 14TH DAY OF MAY 2026 IN RESPONSE TO CITIZENS CONCERNS OVER ESTABLISHMENT OF DATA CENTERS IN CALDWELL COUNTY AND WHEREAS RESOLUTION 292026 CALLED UPON THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS AND TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO ENACT LEGISLATION PROVIDING COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION AND AUTHORITY AND LAND USE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING AND RESOURCE IMPACT REVIEW RELATED TO LARGE SCALE DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENTS AND WHEREAS ON THE 10TH DAY OF JUNE 2026 THE GOVERNOR PLEDGED TO WORK WITH THE 90TH LEGISLATURE TO STRENGTHEN REGULATION OF LARGE SCALE DATA CENTERS AND ENSURE THAT THEY DO NOT PLACE UNDUE BURDENS ON THE ON TEXANS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES. WHEREAS THE 90TH LEGISLATURE IS SCHEDULED TO CONVENE ON JANUARY 12, 2027. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT THAT THE COLDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT WILL NOT ENTER INTO ECONOMIC INCENTIVE AGREEMENTS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENTS RELATED TO LARGE SCALE DATA CENTERS, PENDING THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE 90TH TEXAS LEGISLATION LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
FRED, CAN WE ALSO ADD TO THIS RESOLUTION THE BATTERY STORAGE FACILITIES? NO, I WOULDN'T SEE A PROBLEM.
WE'RE AWARE OF LARGE SCALE BATTERY STORAGE FACILITIES THAT ARE LOOKING AT COMING INTO THE COUNTY. I'M NOT AWARE IF THEY'RE GOING TO REQUEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES, BUT I'D LIKE TO TRY TO GET OUT AHEAD RELATED TO THOSE.
I SEE NO PROBLEM ADDING IT TO THE RESOLUTION.
AND REMEMBER THE END OF THE DAY, THE RESOLUTION REALLY IS SYMBOLIC. THE COURT CAN DO WHAT IT WANTS TO DO OR NOT DO WHETHER THERE'S A RESOLUTION OR NOT.
IT PROVIDES A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT THOUGH FOR AS TO WHAT OUR POLICY IS RELATED TO.
OKAY. YOU READY FOR A MOTION? I AM. YES, SIR.
I RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THIS RESOLUTION WITH THE WORDING THE CAVAL COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT WILL NOT IN INTO ECONOMIC INCENTIVE AGREEMENTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENTS RELATED TO LARGE SCALE DATA CENTERS AND BATTERY STORAGE FACILITIES, ADDING THAT PENDING THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE 90TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
OKAY, THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. OPPOSED?
[H.7 To discuss and take possible action regarding an Air Methods Community Partnership Agreement between Caldwell County and Air Methods, LLC.]
HEARING? NONE. MOTION CARRIES.[01:30:02]
ITEM H7. DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN AIR METHODS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN CALDWELL COUNTY AND AIR METHODS LLC. COMMISSIONERS. WE HAVE IN THE PAST HAD A AGREEMENT WITH PHI AIR FLAT RATE FEE.EVERY YEAR WE SPLIT THE COST WITH LEING AND LOCKHART. THAT PHI AIR AGREEMENT PROVIDED PROVIDES A FREE RIDE FOR ANYBODY THAT NEEDS AIR AMBULANCE. AND ALSO IF YOU'RE A CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTY, IT'S A FREE RIDE IF YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT. IN ANY COUNTY THAT TOUCHES OUR COUNTY, I BELIEVE THERE ARE FIVE, SO.
SO THAT'S A FLAT RATE THAT WE.
THAT WE HAVE. THE AIR METHODS GROUP ACTUALLY IS HOUSED HERE IN THE COUNTY.
THEY HAVE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PROGRAM AND SO I WANTED TO GIVE YOU GUYS A CHANCE TO CONSIDER THAT PROGRAM AND SO THAT WE MIGHT DECIDE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. IT'S. IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAT IT'S NOT A FLAT RATE. THEY CHARGE BY THE RIDE.
AND THEN IT HAS. IT WILL HAVE A NOT TO EXCEED CAP ON IT. SO I JUST WANTED TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO.
TO PRESENT TO YOU AND I. I'VE SEEN THIS. I'M GOING TO STEP OUT FOR ONE MINUTE WHILE HE DOES HIS PRESENTATION AND I'LL BE RIGHT BACK. OKAY.
WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO GO AHEAD, JUDGE? YES, PLEASE.
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SPENCER GUN. I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE AIR METHODS CORPORATION. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF AIRLIFE TEXAS, WHICH IS THE AIRCRAFT BASED HERE IN LOCKHART, THE ONLY AIR MEDICAL AIRCRAFT BASED IN CALDWELL COUNTY. AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE COURT HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN ENSURING THAT CITIZENS OF CALDWELL COUNTY ARE NEVER FACED WITH AN UNEXPECTED BILL FOR LIFE SAVING CARE.
TO MEET THIS NEED, AIR METHODS OFFERS A COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMS THAT YOU'VE SEEN IN THE PAST. THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP IS A COST SHARING PROGRAM WHICH ENSURES THAT EACH ONE OF THOSE CITIZENS DOESN'T GET A BALANCED BILL FOR ANY TRANSPORT BUYER.
METHODS I PROVIDED YOU GUYS WITH A SLIDE DECK. I'M NOT SURE IF YOU HAVE IT IN FRONT OF YOU, BUT I'LL PUT IT UP ON THE SCREEN. THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM IS A COMMUNITY SPONSORED BENEFIT.
BUT WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY TRYING TO DO IS COST SHARE ANY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR THE PATIENT AFTER A TRANSPORT OCCURS. WE STILL GO THROUGH THE NORMAL BILLING PROCESS. WE STILL TRY AUTO INSURANCE. ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO TO ALLEVIATE THAT BILL FROM THE PATIENT AND THEN ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE LEFT FOR THEM AS AN OUT OF POCKET BILL IS WHAT QUARTERLY. WE WOULD COME BACK TO THE COUNTY AND ASK TO COST SHARE. IF THERE'S NO BALANCE TO THE PATIENT, THERE IS NO BILL TO THE COUNTY. IF THERE'S A LARGE BILL TO THE PATIENT, IT'S STILL CAPPED AT THAT $800 MARK. JUST FOR FRAME OF REFERENCE. THE TRAILING THREE YEAR AVERAGE IN THE COUNTY HERE IS ABOUT $125 AS AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS, THAT TRANSPORT HAPPENS, BILLING IS REVIEWED, THE COUNTY SUPPORTS APPLIES.
IF THERE IS AN OUT OF POCKET AMOUNT DUE AT THE END OF THAT BILLING PROCESS AND ALL OF YOUR LOCAL FUNDS STAY LOCAL.
SO WHATEVER YOU GUYS WOULD EARMARK FOR THE PROGRAM YOU KEEP IN THE COUNTY, WE WOULD SEND A QUARTERLY BILL AFTER THE QUARTER IS COMPLETE FOR ANY OF THOSE COST SHARES THAT ARE DUE. BUT ALL OF THAT MONEY THAT YOU EARMARK JUST ROLLS OVER TO THE NEXT YEAR THAT IF YOU DON'T USE IT. THE SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON ON A COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP VERSUS THE MEMBERSHIP, YOU'RE PAID ONLY OR SORRY YOU PAY ONLY AFTER A TRANSPORT OCCURS.
IN OUR MODEL FOR THE MEMBERSHIP, AS THE JUDGE INDICATED, YOU PAY UP FRONT FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR. IT IS A SET COST AS OPPOSED TO A VARIABLE, BUT IT'S ALL UP FRONT. UP TO 800 CAN BE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT COST SHARING ON THE TRANSPORT, BUT IT IS CAPPED AT THE $800.
THERE'S NO COST TO THE COUNTY IF THE PATIENT OWES NOTHING AT THE END OF THE TRANSPORT.
THE COUNTY KEEPS CONTROL OF THE ALLOCATED FUND AS I MENTIONED AND ANY SURPLUS STAYS HERE.
OUR JOB IS TO PROVIDE THAT AIR MEDICAL CARE, THAT LIFE SAVING CARE FOR THE PATIENTS OF THE COUNTY AND THEN TO DO ALL OF THE BILLING DUE DILIGENCE THAT WE CAN TO GO AFTER PRIVATE INSURANCE, AUTO INSURANCE, VICTIMS ASSISTANCE FUNDS, ANYTHING THAT WE CAN FIND THAT WOULD HELP ALLEVIATE THAT BURDEN FOR THE CITIZEN AND THEN GUIDE PATIENTS THROUGH THE PROCESS OF MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING ANY INFORMATION FROM THEM THAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THAT BILLING AND LIMIT THE EXPOSURE THAT THE COUNTY HAS.
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THEN WE'D BILL A COUNTY ONLY FOR THE INSURED PATIENT'S ACTUAL COST SHARE OR THE AGREED UPON RATE FOR THE UNINSURED PATIENTS, WHICH IS THE $800 CAP. THE COUNTY'S RESPONSIBILITY, I KNOW IT SAYS TO NOTIFY AIR METHODS WHEN A COVERED RESIDENT IS TRANSPORTED. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW WHEN A RESIDENT IS TRANSPORTED. THAT WOULD BE WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BILL AND SAY, HEY, IT'S SOMEONE IN THE COUNTY. WE GET THAT OVER TO YOU AT THE END OF THE QUARTER. AND SO WE'D LOVE TO PROTECT THOSE RESIDENTS TOGETHER. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD ON TO THIS IS AS AN EXAMPLE OF THIS PROCESS, THERE WERE ABOUT 210 TRANSPORTS IN THE COUNTY LAST YEAR.OF COURSE MY COMPUTER IS GOING TO GO TO SLEEP AS SOON AS I SAY THIS.
YOUR TOTAL BILL FOR THE LAST 12 MONTHS WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT $26,000. EVEN IF WE HAD A 50% INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FLIGHTS IN THE COUNTY.
EVERY ONE OF THOSE PATIENTS TRANSPORTED HAD SOME OUT OF POCKET. YOU'RE STILL AT ABOUT THE $37,000 MARK ANNUALLY. AND THEN IN ADDITION THE PROGRAM PROVIDE. OBVIOUSLY WE THINK IT PROVIDES A SIGNIFICANT VALUE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY.
I HAVE A SIGNED LETTER FROM THE CEO OF EDGAR B. DAVIS AND LULING AND THE DIRECTOR OF CALDWELL COUNTY EMS WHO HAVE BOTH COME OUT IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROGRAM THAT WE FEEL WOULD BENEFIT YOUR CITIZENS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR SERVICE TO COMMUNITY.
WE DO NOT HAVE TO VOTE ON THIS TODAY, COMMISSIONERS.
WE CAN BRING IT BACK DURING THE WORK BUDGET WORKSHOP AT THE NEXT. I'M GOING TO PLAN TO HAVE ONE AT THE NEXT MEETING ON THE 27TH, I BELIEVE. SO WE CAN, WE CAN TABLE IT FOR NOW AND, AND DISCUSS IT IN A BUDGET WORKSHOP AND IF WE DECIDE TO 1ST OF SEPTEMBER, THEN WE CAN TAKE A VOTE WHETHER OR NOT TO SWITCH.
BUT I DID WANT TO GIVE THIS TO YOU IN PLENTY OF TIME FOR YOU TO MULL IT AROUND AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO CALL AIR METHODS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. SO I DON'T, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE WANT TO TAKE ACTION ON ADOPTING THEM TODAY, BUT SO WOULD ASK PROBABLY TO TABLE UNTIL WE HAVE IT.
UNTIL YOU'VE HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW IT AND WE'LL BRING IT BACK ON THE FIRST COURT IN SEPTEMBER.
WELL, I'LL MOVE TO TABLE AND REQUEST THAT THE ITEM BE PLACED AT THE FIRST AVAILABLE MEETING IN SEPTEMBER.
[H.8 To discuss and take possible action regarding a Proclamation for National Emergency Management Awareness Month.]
OKAY, THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION TO TABLE AND MOVE TO FIRST MEETING IN SEPTEMBER. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY II OPPOSE HEARING.
NONE. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM H8.
DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARENESS MONTH.
HECTOR, WOULD YOU. WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ THE PROCLAMATION OR YOU WANT ME TO DO IT? YOU CAN READ IT.
PROCLAMATION. NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARENESS MONTH AUGUST 2026. WHEREAS THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF THE PEOPLE OF CALDWELL COUNTY ARE PARAMOUNT AND THE PROACTIVE PREPARATION FOR RESPONSE TO AND RECOVERY FROM ALL DISASTERS ARE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE AND WHEREAS THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROFESSION IS DEDICATED TO SAVING LIVES, PROTECTING PROPERTY AND ENSURING THE CONTINUITY OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES BY LEADING COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS THAT ENCOMPASS MITIGATION, PRE PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE AND RECOVERY. AND WHEREAS. EMERGENCY MANAGERS DEVELOP EMERGENCY PLANS, CONDUCT TRAINING, EXERCISES, EDUCATION, EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON DISASTER READINESS AND ESTABLISH CRITICAL LEADERSHIP WITH TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR. AND WHEREAS THE CALDWELL COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVES AS A CORNERSTONE OF OUR COMMUNITY'S RESILIENCE, ASSESSING RISK, DEVELOPING PLANS, MANAGING RESOURCES, PROVIDING TIMELY INFORMATION AND COORDINATION DURING CRISES. AND WHEREAS THE DEDICATED STAFF OF THE CALDWELL COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN FOSTERING A CULTURE OF PREPAREDNESS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY, EMPOWERING ALL PEOPLE TO TAKE PROACTIVE STEPS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR LOVED ONES. AND WHEREAS THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARENESS MONTH PROVIDES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY AND TO HIGHLIGHT THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY WIDE READINESS.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT OF CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS IN AUGUST 2026 IS RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARENESS MONTH AND ENCOURAGE ALL CITIZENS, BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO JOIN US IN RECOGNIZING THE VITAL WORK OF EMERGENCY MANAGERS WHO WORK DILIGENTLY TO PREPARE, PROTECT AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AGAINST ALL HAZARDS, RISK AND TAKE OPPORTUNITY TO ENHANCE THEIR OWN PERSONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PREPAREDNESS PLANS. BUT BEFORE Y' ALL TALK, I WANT TO SAY JOE JOANNE HAS BEEN A VERY WELCOME ADDITION TO THE TEAM. SHE HAS CREATED AND TAKEN CARE OF A LOT OF THINGS THAT HECTOR. HECTOR HAS BEEN BUSY AND HAS NOT HAD TIME TO DO. AND SO WE ARE ALL CAUGHT UP WITH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEEDED TO DO. AND SHE. AND SHE IS ALSO
[01:40:01]
A FORMER GAME WARDEN AND QUITE CAPABLE OF FILLING HER ROLE.HECTOR EVERY TIME IT RAINS, EVERY TIME IT SNOWS, EVERY TIME ANYTHING'S GOING ON, THERE'S A FIRE. I'VE SEEN HIM WORK DAY AND NIGHT FOR DAYS AT A TIME, SO.
ANYTHING ELSE, COMMISSIONERS? DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SAY? HECTOR? NO, WE'RE JUST GOING TO KEEP WORKING HARD AT WHAT WE DO THE BEST AND KEEP THE PEOPLE SAFE IN CALDWELL COUNTY.
WELL, WITH. WITH THAT, I WOULD LOOK FOR A MOTION TO.
MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TERRIO. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO VERY MUCH.
AND I WOULD BE REMISS NOT TO ALSO THANK PHYLLIS HILLHOUSE, WHO MANAGES OUR EMERGENCY EVACUATION CENTER AND DOES A FANTASTIC JOB OF THAT.
[H.9 To discuss and take possible action regarding a Caldwell County Burn Ban.]
IN CASE WE NEED IT FOR THESE EMERGENCIES. OKAY.ITEM H9. DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE CALDWELL COUNTY BURN BAN.
GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF AND GALLERY. ONCE AGAIN, IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, WE'VE HAD GRASS FIRES ALONG OUR ROADWAYS AND THEN FARMERS WHO ARE BALING HAY AND TRYING TO GET THE LAST PIECES OF HAY THAT THEY CAN GET IN, YOU KNOW, CREATED SOME FIRES.
WE KEPT THE ACREAGE FROM BURNING AND, YOU KNOW, GIVE THEM SOME ADVICE ON, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE THEY MAINTAIN THEIR EQUIPMENT. ALSO, THE TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN IN THE TRIPLE DIGITS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.
THERE'S NO TROPICAL FEATURES OUT IN THE GULF THAT CAN INDICATE WE'RE GOING TO GET SOME SHOWERS LATE IN THE AFTERNOON OR ANY SHOWERS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.
ALSO, OUR SURROUNDING CAN COUNTIES HAVE ALREADY ADDED THEMSELVES TO, YOU KNOW, BURN. PUTTING THE BURN BANS ON FOR THEMSELVES. ONE OF THEM IS BURNETT COUNTY LLANO, TRAVIS, SENSABA, HAYES, AND WILLIAMSON COUNTIES TO OUR SOUTH. I'M GONNA.
BEFORE I GO THERE, KBDI NUMBERS, THEIR MINIMUM IS 498.
MAX IS 614. AVERAGE 542 WITH A CHANGE OF PLUS 8. THOSE CHANGES HAVE BEEN AVERAGING BETWEEN, I WOULD SAY, 7 TO 10 EVERY DAY. AND THE FIRE DANGER IS GETTING PRETTY, PRETTY HIGH. I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND TO CUOMO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE COUNTY JUDGE THAT WE PUT THE BURN BAN ON BECAUSE OF THE DRYNESS AND NO PREDICTION OF RAIN FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS.
COMMISSIONERS MOVE TO PUT THE BURN BAN ON. MOTION TO PUT THE BURN BAN ON BY COMMISSIONER HORN. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION?
[H.10 To approve Order 08-2026 for an Election to be held in Caldwell County as required by Article XVI, Section 65 of the Texas Constitution.]
NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING? NONE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, JUDGE. ITEM H10 DISCUSSION ACTION TO APPROVE ORDER 08, 2026 FOR AN ELECTION TO BE HELD IN CALDWELL COUNTY AS REQUIRED ACQUIRED BY ARTICLE 16, SECTION 65 OF THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION AND I'LL READ THE PROCLAMATION AND THEN REA IS HERE TO ADDRESS COURT PROCLAMATION NATIONAL OH WRONG ONE ORDER 082026, ORDER OF GENERAL ELECTION AND ELECTION IS HEREBY ORDERED TO BE HELD ON 113, 2026 IN CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING THE FOLLOWING COUNTY AND PRECINCT OFFICERS AS REQUIRED BY ARTICLE 1665 OF THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION. LIST OF OFFICES PROPOSITIONS MEASURES ON THE BALLOT COUNTY JUDGE COUNTY CLERK COUNTY TREASURER COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 2 COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 4
[01:45:01]
COUNTY JUSTICE PIECE 1, COUNTY JUSTICE OF THE PIECE 2, COUNTY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 3 AND COUNTY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 4. EARLY VOTING BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE WILL BE CONDUCTED EACH WEEKDAY AT THE MAIN EARLY VOTING LOCATION. WE WILL MORE THAN LIKELY, UNLESS YOU GUYS WANT TO AMEND IT TODAY, BRING THE OTHER EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS ONTO THE ORDER OR INTO THE ELECTION AT THE NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON THE 27TH WHEN WE DISCUSS ALL THE POLLING PLACES. AND THAT MAIN EARLY VOTING LOCATION IS LOCKHART ISD ADAM ADAMS GYM 419 BODARK STREET LOCKHART, TEXAS SPECIAL FORMS, EMERGENCY, AND LIMITED BALANCE ARE AVAILABLE AT SCOTT ANNEX LOCATION. SORRY, EARLY VOTING IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO BE AT THE ADAM'S GYM SPECIAL.YOU'RE RIGHT, THAT NEEDS TO GET CHANGED. WE'LL AMEND THAT TO ADAM'S GYM. THEY CANNOT GO SCOTT ANNEX BECAUSE WE CAN'T HAVE THOSE FUNCTIONS IN THE SAME PLACE WHERE THE ELECTIONS OFFICE MEETS. SPECIAL FORMS, EMERGENCY, AND LIMITED BALLOTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AT ADAMS GYM LOCATION EARLY VOTING DATES AND HOURS ARE FIRST WEEK MONDAY, OCTOBER 19 THROUGH FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2024 2026 8 TO 6PM WEEKEND SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2025 2026 7 TO 7 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 20269 TO 3. THE LAST WEEK OCTOBER 27 THROUGH FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2026 7 TO 7 APPLICATION FOR BALLOTS BY MAIL SHALL BE MAILED TO CALDWELL COUNTY EARLY VOTING CLERK, 1403 A BLACKJACK STREET, LOCKHART, TX 78644 PHONE NUMBER 512-668-4347 WEBSITE HTTPS://WWW.CO.CALWELL.TX.US EMAIL CALDWELLECO.CALDWELL IF SUBMITTED BY EMAIL, THE ORIGINAL MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE ELECTIONS OFFICE WITHIN FOUR BUSINESS DAYS.
APPLICATIONS FOR BALLOTS BY MAIL ABBMS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON OCTOBER 23, 2026. FEDERAL POSTCARD APPLICATIONS FPCAS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON OCTOBER.
OCTOBER 23, 2026. ORDER THIS 13TH DAY OF AUGUST 2026. GO AHEAD, DEVONTE.
THERE WAS ONLY THE ONE CORRECTION THAT I SLIGHTLY OVERLOOKED, WHICH IS ALL SPECIAL FORMS AND EMERGENCY AND LIMITED BALLOTS WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE MAIN EARLY BUILDING LOCATION AT THE SCOTT ANNEX BUILDING. OKAY.
COMMISSIONERS, YOU DO HAVE THE OPTION TO TALK ABOUT THE OTHER EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS NOW OR YOU CAN MOVE IT TO THE 27TH.
I LIKE TO SPEAK ON MOVING IT TO THE 22ND AND ALSO 2727, THE 27TH. ALSO I WANT TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT IN DANTE AND EVERYONE ELSE ABOUT SOME THINGS I THINK THAT'S BEEN OVERLOOKED IN PRECINCT FOR IN THIS ELECTION CYCLE, THAT IT IS A REELECTION AND THERE'S SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CAMPAIGNING MYSELF I HAVE BEEN CAMPAIGNING AND WALKING THE PRECINCT FOR IN THE SHORT TIME THAT WE'RE ASSESSED WITH NOW, RELATIONSHIPS HAVE ALREADY BEEN BUILT AND WALK IN THAT TERRITORY, ME AND MY BELOVED DOG BARKER.
SO I JUST WANT TO ADDRESS THE COURT AND LET YOU KNOW THAT IT'S A DISADVANTAGE. AND THEN PLUS I AM A MEMBER OF ST.
MARK'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT EVERYTHING IN ST. MARK'S HAS BEEN UP TO DATE. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON KEEPING THE CHURCHES AND POLLING PLACES WHEN THAT TIME COMES AROUND THAT EVERYTHING'S TAKING PLACE.
BUT AGAIN, I THINK THAT'S WHAT WHAT'S BEEN OVERLOOKED THAT IT'S 80 DAYS TO CAMPAIGN. I'VE BEEN RUNNING AN ELECTION AND THE CIRCUMFERENCE ABOUT WALKING, I CAN GUARANTEE IT'S VERY OFF.
IT'S MUCH LARGER, IT'S MUCH MORE DISTANCE AND MUCH EVERYTHING ELSE. I'LL BE TAKING
[01:50:02]
A DISADVANTAGE OF HAVING TO GO BACK. AND I DIDN'T BUILD THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE CONSTITUENTS AND THE VOTING PEOPLES AND GAVE THEM THE INFORMATION. AND THEN YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND YOU DEVELOP THAT TRUST. AND THEN YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND SAY, OH, THINGS DIDN'T CHANGE. OH, WELL, THAT DON'T SIT WELL WITH THE LITTLE WOMAN SITTING IN THE CHURCH PEW LOOKING AT YOU AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME.SO WE'RE NOT, WE'RE NOT HERE TO ESTABLISH THOSE POLLING PLACES RIGHT NOW, THOUGH, COMMISSIONER.
WELL, I KNOW WE'RE NOT. I JUST WANT TO PUT IT ON THE RECORD TODAY IT'S 80 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION. AND I JUST THINK THAT THAT'S BEEN A OVERLOOKED AND I WOULD LIKE FOR THAT TO BE IN CONSIDERATION.
SINCE YOU BROUGHT IT UP, WE HAVE SENT SOMETHING OVER TO BOTH PARTIES ADDING ST.
MARK'S BACK OR IF IT'S. IF IT'S NOT ADA COMPLIANT CONSIDERING PASTOR FRITZ'S CHURCH. SO IT IS ADA AND THAT. OKAY, THAT'S FINE. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S NOT, BUT I'LL TAKE YOUR WORD FOR IT. BUT THAT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED AND THAT HAS BEEN SENT OVER TO BOTH PARTIES. I HAVE HEARD BACK FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT THEY'RE FINE WITH THAT. HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE DEMOCRAT PARTY YET. SO JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT. THAT THAT'S NOT BEING MESSED WITH.
YES, SIR. I. I JUST WANTED TO PUT IT ON RECORD THAT IT'S ALREADY BEEN TAKEN.
ALL RIGHT. AND I DO HAVE A MEETING WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THIS AFTERNOON.
I JUST WANT TO MENTION ONE THING.
SINCE IT WAS MENTIONED IN CITIZENS COMMENTS WAS THE TOTALLY YOUR DISCRETION. MONTE IS AT EA. BUT JUST THAT THE LIONS CLUB STATED THAT THEY WERE OPEN TO DISCUSS THAT AS A LOCATION AGAIN. JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS REMINDED.
THANK YOU. AND I'LL BE TAKING ALL THAT UNDER ADVISEMENT. I'M WILLING TO TALK TO ANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS AS Y' ALL SEE FIT TO.
A TO GIVE Y' ALL A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PRECINCTS. OKAY.
WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION. SHOULD WE GET A. A MOTION JUDGE TO.
YEAH, WE NEED. YEAH, BECAUSE WE'RE NOT. WE'RE NOT. I'M. I MEAN, I'M. IT WAS BROUGHT UP SO I WANTED TO ADDRESS THE ST.
MARK'S THING, BUT WE'RE NOT HERE TO ESTABLISH THE OTHER POLLING PLACES. 16, 14, 12, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.
WE'RE. WE ARE HERE TO DO THIS ORDER RIGHT NOW. SO WE NEED TO TEND TO THAT BUSINESS. SO. YES, IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDER 082026 AS IT IS AS INCLUDING THE AMENDMENT THAT WAS READ FOR THE CORRECTION.
OKAY. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE.
JUDGE, I MAY HAVE MISHEARD, BUT DID COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DID YOU MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE? NO, YOU DIDN'T. I JUST MADE MOST TO MAKE.
OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION. A SECOND TO APPROVE THE ORDER 082026 WITH THE AMENDMENT THAT IT'S NOT SCOTT ANNEX, BUT ADAM'S GYM WHERE YOU CAN GO TO PICK UP THE OTHER THINGS.
DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS ORDER? IF NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[H.11 To discuss and take possible action on Budget Transfer 17-2026 for Elections Department moving from Repairs & Maintenance to multiple line items in the amount of $17,200.00.]
CARRIES. THANK YOU. ITEM H11.DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON BUDGET TRANSFER 17 2026. ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT MOVING FROM REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE TO MULTIPLE LINE ITEMS IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,200.
YES. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONER.
COMMISSIONERS, THIS ONE IS JUST TO CLEAN UP THE ELECTIONS BUDGET A LITTLE BIT. THERE'S A COUPLE LINES THAT HAVE GONE NEGATIVE, SO WE'RE JUST DOING AN INTERNAL TRANSFER TO CLEAN THAT UP FOR THE END OF THE YEAR.
COMMISSIONERS, MOVE TO APPROVE BUDGET TRANSFER.
MOVE. APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE SECOND? SECOND.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER TERRIO. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT
[H.12 To discuss and take possible action regarding Budget Transfer 18-2026 for Jail moving from Training, Repairs & Maintenance, Machinery & Equipment to Food Supplies in the amount of $30,000.00.]
ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE.OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM H12, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING BUDGET TRANSFER 1-820-26 FOR JAIL, MOVING FROM TRAINING, REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT TO FOOD SUPPLIES IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,000.
YES. THIS IS ALSO JUST TO GET THE JAIL TO THE END OF THE YEAR, AND I'VE ALREADY INCREASED THAT FOR NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET SO WE DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS.
OKAY, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE. APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORN. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
[H.13 To discuss and take possible action on Budget Amendment 15-2026 moving from Contingency to Justice of the Peace PCT. 1-4 Software Maintenance in the amount of $26,240.00.]
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE.OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES.
ITEM H13, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON BUDGET AMENDMENT 15, 2026, MOVING FROM CONTINGENCY TO JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCTS 1 THROUGH 4 FOR SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF 26.
YES, FOR THIS ONE. THIS IS IN FUND 16. AND LAST YEAR WE TERMINATED OUR CONTRACT WITH
[01:55:02]
NET DATA, BUT NOW WE ARE BACK WITH THEM. SO SINCE THAT WAS MID YEAR, WE JUST NEED TO TAKE SOME MONEY FROM CONTINGENCY AND I'LL MAKE SURE THAT'S FIXED FOR NEXT YEAR.THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS FOR APPROVAL. MOVE. APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORN. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
[H.14 To discuss and take possible action regarding the approval of the award for RFP26CCP01P Caldwell County Medical Service for Inmates.]
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.MOTION CARRIES. ITEM H14, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE APPROVAL OF THE AWARD FOR RFP 26, CCP 01P, CALDWELL COUNTY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR INMATES. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONER. ON APRIL 23, 2026, THE COUNTY PURCHASING DEPARTMENT ISSUED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR MEDICAL SERVICES FOR OUR COUNTY INMATES ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY JAIL.
THAT RFP CLOSED ON JUNE 15, 2026, AND AT THAT TIME, THE COUNTY RECEIVED SIX PROPOSALS.
AFTER CAREFUL REVIEW, WE ASK FOR APPROVAL TO AWARD TO SOUTHERN HEALTH PARTNERS.
APPROVAL. APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[H.15 To discuss and approve final draft and solicitation of RFB 26CCP02B Unit Road Materials, Fuel, Oil and Lubricants.]
AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE.MOTION CARRIES. ITEM H15, DISCUSS AND APPROVE FINAL DRAFT AND SOLICITATION OF RFB 26 CCP 02B UNIT, ROAD MATERIALS, FUEL OIL, AND LUBRICANTS. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS OUR YEARLY BID FOR UNIT ROAD MATERIALS. WE'RE ASKING FOR APPROVAL TO ADVERTISE AND TO PUBLISH THE REQUEST FOR BIDS.
OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, SO MOVE APPROVAL.
[I. EXECUTIVE SESSION]
MOVE. MOVE. APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551087. DISCUSSION OF DELIBERATING REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT HERCULES. POSSIBLE ACTION MAY FOLLOW AN OPEN COURT. ITEM I2.
PURSUANT TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551087.
DISCUSSION OF DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT ROLLER COASTER, POSSIBLE ACTION MAY FOLLOW AN OPEN COURT. WE ARE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 10:57. .
EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551087, DISCUSS DISCUSSION OF DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT HERCULES. NO ACTION WILL FOLLOW ON OPEN COURT PURSUANT TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 5510 87.
DISCUSSION DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
[Items H.16 & H.17]
NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT ROLLER COASTER. NO ACTION WILL FOLLOW AN OPEN COURT. I NEED A MOTION TO TABLE ITEMS H16 AND H17.ALRIGHTY. 8, 16 AND 17. YES, SIR. A MOTION TO TABLE 8, 16, 17. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE.
OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES. ITEMS. ITEM.
ADJOURNMENT. DO WE HAVE MOTION TO ADJOURN? SO MOVE.
MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.
OPPOSED? HEARING NONE. MOTION CARRIES.
WE ARE ADJOURNED AT AND EXECUTIVE SESSION ENDED AT 11:16.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.