Sep 10, 2026 Commissioner's Court

[00:00:02]

OKAY, GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING TO CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE'RE GOING TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER THE 10TH, 2026, AT 9 A.M. JUST A QUICK REMINDER, FOLKS, IF YOU DON'T MIND TO SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES, WE'D APPRECIATE THAT. AND WE WILL GO AHEAD TO THE INVOCATION. IS JORDAN HERE? FATHER, WE THANK YOU BECAUSE EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT THING COMES FROM YOU.

LORD, YOU HAVE PROMISED YOUR PEOPLE OF OLD THAT IF THEY WOULD HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND PRAY AND SEEK YOU, THAT YOU WOULD HEAR THEM FROM ON HIGH AND RESTORE THEIR LAND.

LORD, I ASK BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S WITHIN YOUR CHARACTER TO GRANT US THESE THINGS.

THAT ALL OF US, ALL OF OUR WORK, THIS MEETING INCLUDED, WOULD BE CARRIED OUT WITH FAITHFULNESS, WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS, WITH WISDOM, WITH JUSTICE, AND THAT THE FRUIT OF ALL OF OUR LABORS WOULD BE LIFE AND PEACE.

LORD, WE THANK YOU IN JESUS' NAME. 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. HONORED IN TEXAS' FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE CITY OF TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE INDIVISIBLE.

OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS MORNING? NONE FOR ME, JUDGE. NONE FOR ME, JUDGE.

ALL RIGHT, WITH THAT, WE'LL GO TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS. JUST A

[E. CITIZENS' COMMENTS]

EXCUSE ME. AND YOU HAVE FOUR MINUTES, AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO BE RESPECTFUL OF THAT SO THAT EVERYBODY GETS A CHANCE TO SPEAK THIS MORNING.

DENNIS RODEN.

I'M SORRY, I HAVE A LITTLE BIT HARD OF HEARING, BUT MY NAME IS DENNIS RODEN, AND I LIVE HERE IN LOCKHART, AND PROBABLY SOME OF YOU WHO HAVE GOTTEN THE FLYERS I'VE PASSED OUT ARE SAYING, WHY DID I GET A FLYER ABOUT THE WOMEN SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL FROM SOME OLD LOW-LEGGED FAT MAN? BUT ANYWAY, THE CONNECTION IS THAT MY DAUGHTER, MANDY RODEN, IS THE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS WOMEN SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL. SO I'VE COME TODAY TO GIVE INFORMATION.

THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL IS SCHEDULED FOR THE 18TH THROUGH THE 20TH OF SEPTEMBER.

IT WILL BE HELD IN EIGHT DIFFERENT VENUES ALL AROUND THIS SQUARE HERE. THE LIBRARY, OLD PALS, THE PEARL, JUST LIKE I SAY, ALL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE. THERE WILL BE 50-SOME ODD, THERE'S NO WAITING ON APPROVAL FROM SOME, BUT THERE WILL BE 50-SOME ODD WOMEN SONGWRITERS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE COMING TO LOCKHART FOR THIS. THIS IS AN EXTENSION OF MY DAUGHTER'S THESIS THAT SHE WROTE FOR HER MASTER'S DEGREE AT TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY, AND SHE WROTE ABOUT THE INFLUENCE OF WOMEN ON MUSIC IN TEXAS AND JUST FOLLOWED ON THROUGH. SO I CAN SAY I DO WANT TO MAKE THE COURT AND EVERYONE HERE AWARE OF THAT, AND I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW TO ASK THIS. MY PROTOCOL MAY BE WEAK, BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT PROCLAIMED AS TEXAS WOMEN SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL WEEKEND IN CALDWELL COUNTY, IF THAT'S A POSSIBILITY.

WE WILL CHECK, SIR. WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO ENGAGE DURING CITIZENS' COMMENTS, BUT WE'LL CHECK.

WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO ENGAGE DURING CITIZENS' COMMENTS, BUT WE'LL CHECK. THANK YOU.

FRITZ WILLIAMS.

[00:05:13]

I AM REVEREND DR. H. FRITZ WILLIAMS. I'M THE PASTOR AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 514 NETSCHEST STREET, AND I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO CORRECT THE RECORD AND DEFEND THE INTEGRITY OF OUR CHURCH AND REQUEST A PUBLIC APOLOGY FROM COMMISSIONER THOMAS. LET ME BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR ON THIS.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH NEVER ASKED FOR THE POLLING LOCATION TO BE REMOVED FROM ST. MARK'S METHODIST CHURCH TO OUR CHURCH. WE SUPPORTED KEEPING THE POLLING LOCATION AT ST. MARK'S BECAUSE IT IS A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE ALL IN. COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS APPROACHED ME AS A PASTOR, AND I WAS ON A CRUISE AT THAT TIME, AND THANK GOD I HAD THE INTERNET PACKAGE TO WHERE I COULD RECEIVE CALLS.

THEY ASKED ME ONE SIMPLE QUESTION. IF ST. MARK'S WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, WOULD FIRST BAPTIST BE WILLING TO SERVE AS A POLLING LOCATION SO THAT VOTING COULD REMAIN WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY? OF COURSE, I SAID YES, WE WOULD BE WILLING TO DO SO.

BUT I ALSO SAID THAT IF ST.

MARK'S COULD CONTINUE SERVING AS THE POLLING LOCATION, I SAW NO GOOD REASON TO CLOSE IT AND WOULD BE SUPPORT WHATEVER I COULD DO TO MAINTAIN THAT POLLING LOCATION.

SO FIRST BAPTIST WAS NOT TRYING TO TAKE ANYTHING FROM ST.

MARK'S. WE WERE JUST SIMPLY WILLING TO SERVE AS WE NORMALLY HAVE WITHIN COMMUNITY IF NEEDED, AND THAT IS THE PLAIN TRUTH, NOT ONLY FROM ME AS THE PASTOR, BUT ALSO FROM OUR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP.

BUT WHAT IS DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING TO ME AS COMMISSIONER THOMAS IS THAT INSTEAD OF SIMPLY DISCUSSING THE WORTH OR MERITS OF POLLING LOCATION, DISPARAGING STATEMENTS WERE MADE CONCERNING THE CONDITIONS OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

NOW, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IS JUST NOT ANOTHER BUILDING. IT IS A HISTORIC INSTITUTION.

WE'RE 149 YEARS OLD. IT IS A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. IT IS A PLACE OF SERVICE, AND IT IS PART OF THE COMMUNITY YOU WERE ELECTED TO REPRESENT. OUR CHURCH UNDERWENT SIGNIFICANT RENOVATIONS BACK IN 2020, AND I'M SURE, NOT TO BRING YOU INTO THIS, BUT I'M SURE JUDGE HADEN UNDERSTANDS THAT, AND HE'S VERY AWARE OF THAT, OF THE RENOVATIONS WE MADE TO OUR CHURCH. AND MANY OF YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN TO OUR CHURCH AND YOU HAVE WALKED THROUGH IT SINCE THEN. BUT OUR MEMBERS HAVE PUT MUCH TIME AND MUCH INVESTMENT IN RESOURCES AND LOVE INTO OUR CHURCH AS WELL AS INTO OUR COMMUNITY. SO TODAY, THE MEMBERS OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, WHICH MANY COULD NOT BE HERE BECAUSE OF WORK, AND I ALSO ARE ASKING FOR SOMETHING VERY SIMPLE.

CORRECT THE RECORD, RESPECT THE CHURCH, AND PUBLICLY APOLOGIZE FOR THE DISPARAGING COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE. IF THERE ARE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONDITIONS OF BUILDINGS, PROPERTIES, NEIGHBORHOODS, AND INSTITUTIONS WITHIN THE PRECINCT, THEN LET'S ADDRESS THEM.

IN FACT, PERHAPS COMMISSIONER THOMAS AND THE CITY COUNCILMAN FOR THAT DISTRICT OUR CHURCHES AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP AND OR LEADERS AND RESIDENTS COULD COME TOGETHER AND POSSIBLY ORGANIZE A PRECINCT AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY CLEANUP OR ENHANCEMENT DAY. INSTEAD OF TEARING INSTITUTIONS DOWN WITH OUR WORDS, LET'S WORK ON BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY UP.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IS NOT INTERESTED IN POLITICAL FIGHTS.

COMMISSIONER THOMAS, WE RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TODAY, CORRECT THE RECORD, APOLOGIZE TO FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH AND ITS MEMBERS AS WELL AS THIS COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. YES, SIR.

CHRIS PAGNETTI.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HADEN, COMMISSIONERS. I AM ASKING YOU TO VOTE NO ON ITEM H-24 UNLESS THE FLOCK LICENSE PLATE READER COMPONENT

[00:10:01]

WHEN THIS COURT APPROVED THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 APPLICATION IN MARCH, THE COUNTY'S OWN RECORD SHOWED THAT THE PROPOSAL INCLUDED FIVE LPR CAMERAS AND A FLOCK SAFETY QUOTE.

SINCE THEN, THE SITUATION HAS CHANGED SUBSTANTIALLY.

GOVERNOR ABBOTT HAS ORDERED TEXAS STATE AGENCIES TO PAUSE FUNDING FOR FLOCK CAMERAS SAYING TEXAS AGENCY FUNDS CANNOT BE USED FOR AT THE SAME TIME, COMMUNITIES ACROSS TEXAS ARE PULLING BACK FROM FLOCK. SAN MARCOS, HAYS COUNTY, HOOD COUNTY, AUSTIN, EL PASO AND OTHERS HAVE REDUCED SUSPENDED OR ELIMINATED THEIR USE OF THE SYSTEM. AS OF SEPTEMBER 5TH, ABOUT 20 TEXAS CITIES AND COUNTIES HAD TAKEN SUCH ACTION AND THAT NUMBER CONTINUES TO GROW. THE CONCERNS ARE CONCRETE. A LUFKIN POLICE OFFICER IS FACING 100 CRIMINAL COURTS COUNTS AFTER AUTHORITIES ALLEGE THAT HE USED FLOCK TO SURVEIL 11 PEOPLE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. THESE CAMERAS CREATE SEARCHABLE RECORDS OF VEHICLE MOVEMENTS AND CAN BE SHARED ACROSS AGENCIES. THAT POWER REQUIRES STRICT OVERSIGHT, CLEAR ACCESS RULES, MEANINGFUL AUDITING, LIMITED RETENTION AND A COMPLETE ACCOUNTING OF FUTURE COSTS BEFORE CALDWELL COUNTY EXPANDS THE SYSTEM. THIS COURT CAN PRESERVE ANY ELIGIBLE TRAFFIC SAFETY EQUIPMENT IN THE GRANT WHILE REFUSING TO DEEPEN CALDWELL COUNTY'S DEPENDENCE ON A SYSTEM THAT TEXAS COMMUNITIES ARE INCREASINGLY RECONSIDERING.

PLEASE REMOVE THE FLOCK COMPONENT OR ANY LICENSE PLATE READER COMPONENT FROM THIS ITEM AND VOTE NO IF IT REMAINS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.

CLAUDIA HOLLER.

I'M CLAUDIA HOLLER AND I'M ON BORCHARD LOOP IN CALDWELL COUNTY. WE SHOULD NOT BE TAKING GRANTS FROM ABBOTT'S OPERATION LONE STAR. THE ACLU OF TEXAS HAS FOUND OPERATION LONE STAR DEMONSTRATES RACIAL PROFILING AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL POLICING, HAS PRIMARILY ARRESTED PEOPLE ACCUSED OF LOW LEVEL OFFENSES LIKE TRESPASSING RATHER THAN DRUG RELATED OFFENSES, HUMAN SMUGGLING OR WEAPONS CHARGES, HAS OVERWHELMINGLY PROSECUTED U.S. CITIZENS AND HAS EXPANDED FAR BEYOND THE BORDERS AND THEIR DATA IS INCONSISTENT ACROSS STATE AGENCIES. HOW DO WE THE CITIZENS KNOW WHAT THESE GRANTS ARE FOR? GREG ABBOTT HAS SUPPOSEDLY SUPPOSEDLY HALTED FUNDING FOR FLOCK DUE TO COMMUNITY BACKLASH BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THERE AREN'T NUMEROUS OTHER ALPR READER COMPANIES WAITING IN THE WINGS TO TAKE THOSE GRANTS. AND AS WE HAVE UNFORTUNATELY LEARNED WITH RECENT ABBOTT INITIATIVES, SOMETIMES THESE PAUSES ACTUALLY MAKE IT EASIER FOR GRANDFATHERED ITEMS TO GET THROUGH FASTER SO HOW DO WE KNOW THESE AREN'T FOR FLOCK CAMERAS? AS REPORTED BY KVUE, OPERATION LONE STAR COORDINATES AND WORKS ALONGSIDE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES INCLUDING ICE AND OTHER DHS AGENCIES TO ENFORCE IMMIGRATION MEASURES. ONLY ABOUT 3 TO 5% OF INDIVIDUALS DETAINED BY IMMIGRATION AND CUSTODY OF ENFORCEMENT HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF VIOLENT FELONIES OR VIOLENT CRIMES. THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN ICE DETENTION BETWEEN 65 TO 71% HAVE NO CRIMINAL CONVICTION AT ALL. THESE GRANTS AREN'T MAKING US SAFER FROM VIOLENT CRIMES. THEY BY AND LARGE ARE MAKING IT EASIER TO SURVEIL EVERYDAY TEXAN CITIZENS. YOU WANT A LOWER CRIME LOOK INTO ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS ADVOCATING FOR PEOPLE TO MAKE LIVING WAGES. DID YOU KNOW OPENING A BLOOD PLASMA DONATION CENTER IN A CITY CORRELATES WITH A 11.8 TO 12% DECREASE IN OVERALL LOCAL CRIME RATES, PARTICULARLY DRIVEN BY REDUCTIONS IN PROPERTY AND DRUG-RELATED OFFENSES SIMPLY BECAUSE IT GIVES PEOPLE SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME. KEEPING PEOPLE IMPOVERISHED BY ARRESTING AND IMPRISONING THEM WILL DO NOTHING TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER AND QUITE LIKELY WILL DO THE OPPOSITE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. JONI FOSTER.

GOOD MORNING. JONI FOSTER, 10010 FM 86 OUT BY MCMAHON.

I'M WANTING TO SPEAK ABOUT OUR 287(G) AGREEMENT AND DECLARING OUR COUNTY A DISASTER BECAUSE OF IMMIGRATION. THIS IS LIKE THE SEQUENCE, THE BACKWARD SEQUENCE OF WHERE WE ARE TODAY IN OUR COUNTY. IT'S ALL BUILT ON THIS LIE THAT OUR COUNTY IS BEING OVERRUN AND IS A DISASTER BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A REALLY GOOD LIFE THAT WE HAVE HERE HAVE COME TO THIS COUNTY.

I, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T NEED

[00:15:01]

I THINK OF MY LESSONS IN CHURCH OF LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.

I THINK OF WHAT WE DO EVERY SUNDAY, PEACE BE WITH YOU, PEACE BE WITH YOU. IT DOESN'T SAY YOU WHO LOOK LIKE ME WHO I LIKE. IT SAYS PEACE BE WITH ALL OF YOU, AND I DIDN'T HEAR THE PASTOR TODAY PRAY FOR JUST THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM. THE PASTOR PRAYED FOR LIFE AND PEACE WITH EACH OTHER, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS, $100,000 FROM THE GOVERNOR SO THAT WE CONTINUE OUR CONNECTION WITH ICE AND BORDER PATROL IN THE FORM THAT ICE AND BORDER PATROL ARE PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES, IS MAKING ME FEEL LIKE A BETTER PERSON. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

MARTIN GAMALBEK.

GOOD MORNING, I'M MARTIN GAMALBEK. I LIVE AT 100 JAILSIDE DRIVE. I'M HERE ALSO TO SPEAK AGAINST THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE LONE STAR GRANT.

SEVERAL HUNDRED CASES OF ABUSE ARE ALREADY ONGOING AROUND THE COUNTRY FOR POLICE OFFICERS, AMONGST OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS USING THE CAMERAS TO STALK AND SOMETIMES EVEN HARASS OTHERWISE COMPLETELY INNOCENT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THESE CASES OFTEN RACK UP RATHER LARGE DOLLAR AMOUNTS, THOUGH IT VARIES, AND THESE CAMERAS ALSO TEND TO LARGE AMOUNTS OF CRIME TO THEMSELVES, INCLUDING DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY AND VANDALISM.

FRANKLY, BRINGING THESE CAMERAS IS NOT JUST POTENTIALLY A WASTE OF STATE MONEY, BUT ALSO A POTENTIAL OPENING UP OF OUR OWN, SORRY, POTENTIALLY MAKING OURSELVES VULNERABLE TO A CASE OF LAWSUIT.

FURTHERMORE, THEY'VE NOT BEEN SHOWN TO MEANINGFULLY DECREASE CRIME OR INCREASE CATCH RATE, INCREASE ANY SORT OF PROSECUTION RATES IN GENERAL.

IN FACT, THE UNEASE THAT THEY TEND TO GRANT IN PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEY'RE BEING OBSERVED BY THEM TENDS TO DECREASE TRUST IN THE GOVERNMENT AND THEREFORE INCREASE CITIZEN LIKELIHOOD TO COMMIT CRIME IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THE CITY OF LOCKHART HAS ALREADY VOTED DOWN THE USE OF FLOCK, AND IF THE PEOPLE I KNOW IN THE REST OF THE COUNTY ARE A GOOD EXAMPLE, EVERYONE ELSE AGREES.

SO PLEASE, TAKE IN THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE AND THE WILL OF WHAT IS PRACTICAL, AND VOTE AGAINST THE GRANT. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MARIE WOLFE. I LIVE AT 1409 4TH STREET. YOUR DISTRICT, SIR.

I HAVE SOME PREPARED NOTES.

I'LL READ THOSE. I WILL RESTATE COMMENTS I'VE PREVIOUSLY EMAILED TO COMMISSIONER THOMAS, WHO IS MY REPRESENTATIVE IN THE 4TH DISTRICT. I STRONGLY OPPOSE THE CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT FROM ACTIVATING THE OPERATION LONE STAR $100,000 GRANT AWARDED AUGUST 25TH, WHICH IS IDENTIFIED IN TODAY'S AGENDA.

[00:20:02]

MY EMAIL TO COMMISSIONER THOMAS INCLUDED INTERNET HYPERLINKS TO THE FOLLOWING THREE BULLET POINTS. ONE WAS THE TEXAS POLICY RESEARCH, WHICH IS A NONPARTISAN PUBLIC POLICY ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO ADVANCING LIBERTY-BASED SOLUTIONS THAT IMPROVE GOVERNANCE ACROSS THE LONE STAR STATE, PREPARED AN EXCELLENT SUMMARY LAST YEAR, DATED AUGUST 5, 2025, ENTITLED MASS SURVEILLANCE IN TEXAS, THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF LICENSE PLATE TRACKING. I RECOMMEND YOU ALL WATCH THAT AND READ THAT.

THE LOCKHART CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 9, 2025, VOTED SIX TO ONE AGAINST A PLAN TO PURCHASE AND SET UP SEVEN AI-POWERED CAMERAS IN THE FOR USE AS LICENSE PLATE READERS, WHICH IS WHAT THE GENTLEMAN HERE ALSO MENTIONED. I REPEAT, THE CITY OF LOCKHART, WHICH IS THE SEAT OF CALDWELL COUNTY, VOTED AGAINST LPRS.

NUMBER THREE, AN ARTICLE ENTITLED TEXAS CITIES AND COUNTIES BREAK WITH FLOCK CAMERAS AMID BACKLASH TO AI-ENFORCED AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READERS. THIS WAS PUBLISHED LAST WEEK'S ONLINE EDITION OF THE TEXAN UNDER THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CATEGORY, AND THE ARTICLE ESTABLISHED THAT RECENT POLLING INDICATES DECLINING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR LPRS.

SO, THE MONITORING AND TRACKING OF ALL CALDWELL COUNTY RESIDENTS AS THEY INNOCENTLY DRIVE TO WORK, TO SHOP, TO SCHOOL, TO DINE, TO ATTEND CHURCH OR HOLIDAY GATHERINGS, THESE WILL ALL BE MONITORED ON A 24-HOUR, SEVEN-DAY A WEEK, 365-DAY A YEAR BASIS WITH A MINIMUM RETENTION PERIOD FOR INFORMATION TO REMAIN IN THE LPR DATABASE FOR FIVE YEARS. AND THAT'S IN THE LICENSE PLATE READER AGREEMENT THAT YOU GUYS HAVE ATTACHED TO TODAY'S BACKUP MATERIALS.

SO, JUST IN CLOSING, THE BACKLASH TO UTILIZING LPRS IS ONGOING.

PLEASE DO NOT PROCEED WITH ACCEPTING THE COURT, I'M SORRY, THE GRANT PROGRAM AWARD. IF YOU DO, A SURGE OF CALDWELL COUNTY RESIDENTS WILL BE MOBILIZED TO HALT ANY LPR DEPLOYMENT.

THANK YOU.

MARIEL BLONDE.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MARIEL BLONDE, AND I'M A CONSTITUENT. I LIVE AT 523 ASH STREET. I BOUGHT A HOUSE HERE IN LOCKHART LAST YEAR, SO I'M DEEPLY INVESTED IN THE WELL-BEING AND SAFETY OF OUR TOWN AND RESIDENTS.

THAT'S WHY I'M STRONGLY AGAINST THE USE OF FLOCK CAMERAS OR ANY EQUIVALENT IN CALDWELL COUNTY. THEY CREATE A MASS SURVEILLANCE NETWORK THAT TRACKS THE MOVEMENTS OF PRIVATE CITIZENS WITHOUT A WARRANT. THERE ARE DOCUMENTED INSTANCES OF CREEPY AND GROSS MISUSE OF THE CAMERAS. FOR EXAMPLE, OFFICERS STALKING THEIR EXES, MAKING SEARCHES FOR PEOPLE THEY KNOW OVER 2, 000 TIMES. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN ERRORS DOCUMENTED THAT HAVE RESULTED IN WRONGFUL JAIL TIME AND ARRESTS OF CITIZENS. AND I THINK IT'S NOT SAFE TO CREATE A MASS SURVEILLANCE NETWORK THAT CAN BE ACCESSED AND USED BY FALLIBLE HUMANS. THE TECHNOLOGY ITSELF IS ALSO FALLIBLE, AND I THINK IT PUTS US AT RISK FOR MISUSE, I THINK, IN THE WRONG HANDS AND WITH WRONG MOTIVES. IT'S REALLY UNSAFE. THANK YOU. YES, MA 'AM.

THANK YOU.

THERE ARE NO OTHER CITIZEN COMMENTS. OKAY. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONERS, WITH THAT, WE WILL MOVE TO CONSENT, TRYING TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE QUESTIONS

[F. CONSENT AGENDA]

MOVE TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.

[H.1 To discuss and take possible action regarding the approval of the Minutes for the August 27, 2026, regular meeting and budget workshop meeting. Speaker: Judge Haden/Teresa Rodriguez; Backup: 20; Cost: $0.00]

COMMISSIONERS, IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS OR EDITS, I WOULD LOOK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE. I MOVE APPROVAL.

MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE,

[H.4 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Final Plat for Seawillow Farms, consisting of three lots on approximately 12.66 acres, located on Seawillow Road. Speaker: Commissioner Horne/ Nicole Stephens; Backup: 2; Cost: $0.00]

[00:25:01]

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. THERE IS A SHORT-FORM PLAT FOR ESTATES AT SEA WILLOW. IT IS A THREE-LOT SUBDIVISION.

IT WAS NOTED RIGHT BEFORE COMMISSIONERS COURT, THERE MAY BE A GENERAL PLAT NOTE MISSING ABOUT A GIS COORDINATE, SO I WOULD JUST ASK THAT, IT HAS NOT BEEN VERIFIED, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT IF I CAN APPROVE THIS WITH THAT GENERAL NOTE, IF IT DOES NEED TO BE ADDED, THERE IS SOMETHING THAT IS MISSING ON THERE.

ABOUT A GIS COORDINATE, THAT'S WHAT I WAS TOLD.

COMMISSIONERS? MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

WITH RECEIVING THE GIS COORDINATES? YES. OKAY. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE,

[H.5 To discuss and take possible action regarding the Final Plat for Estates at Seawillow, consisting of three lots on approximately 14.42 acres, located on Seawillow Road. Speaker: Commissioner Horne/Nicole Stephens; Backup: 2; Cost: $0.00]

JUST TO CORRECT ME, THAT'S A SEA WILLOW FARMS. THIS IS A SEPARATE SHORT-FORM PLAT. THE FIRST ONE WAS ESTATES AT SEA WILLOW. THIS IS A SEA WILLOW FARMS. YES. A THREE-LOT SUBDIVISION.

SO THE ACREAGE IS JUST SLIGHTLY SHORTER. THEY ARE RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER, SO IT IS ALSO NOTED THAT THIS MAY NEED THE GIS GENERAL PLAT NOTE ON HERE AS WELL. SO I'D BE ASKING FOR THAT APPROVAL WITH THAT NOTE AMENDED IF IT'S VERIFIED. OKAY.

COMMISSIONERS? MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE FOR APPROVAL WITH THE CORRECTIONS? YES. BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

[H.6 To discuss and take possible action regarding a variance request concerning the road frontage requirements for a proposed Short Form Plat on approximately 10.70 acres located at 3910 Lytton Lane in Dale, Texas. Speaker: Commissioner Thomas/Kasi Miles/Linda Hinkle; Backup: 6; Cost: $0.00]

THERE IS ONLY 276 FOOT OF FRONTAGE. IT REQUIRES 150 FOOT OF FRONTAGE PER TRACK. SO IN ORDER TO SUBDIVIDE THIS AND PROCEED WITH THE SHORT-FORM PLAT, WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A VARIANCE APPROVAL.

SO AT THIS TIME, WE'RE JUST REQUESTING A VARIANCE APPROVAL FOR THE FRONTAGE REQUIREMENTS.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONERS? YES, JUDGE. WE DISCUSSED EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING MEETS ALL QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE VARIANCE OF THOSE I'M CONCERNED. SO I'D LIKE TO MOVE, MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. IF YOU GUYS DON'T MIND, I'M GOING TO SKIP H-8 BECAUSE WE'VE GOT ABOUT TWO MINUTES UNTIL OUR HEARINGS AND I SUSPECT THERE'LL BE SOME DISCUSSION ON THAT. I MEAN H-7 AND MOVE

[H.8 To discuss and take possible action to execute HNTB Work Authorization Agreement No. 3 commencing on October 1, 2026 to provide engineering management services required to initiate and monitor production of contract documents and required to initiate and monitor construction of projects in Caldwell County related to the 2024 Road Bond Program. Speaker: Judge Haden/Danie Teltow; Backup: 18; Cost: $9,943,963.00]

HERE COMES MARIA.

THIS IS JUST FOR THE NEXT PHASE. MAJORITY OF THIS, WHY YOU SEE THE LARGE NUMBER IS WE'RE GOING TO START GETTING IN THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE OF OUR ROAD BONDS. I WENT THROUGH IT WITH HNTB AND MARIA. SHE CAN SPEAK ON IT IF SHE NEEDS TO, BUT WENT THROUGH THE CONTRACT AND EVERYTHING LOOKED GOOD. I NEED TO READ THE AMOUNT, $9, 943, 963. COMMISSIONERS, DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOVE TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE,

[G.1 Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget]

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS, ITEM G-1 FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027

[00:30:01]

WE'LL LEAVE IT OPEN FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

THANK YOU.

[G.2 Tax Rate for Year 2026 Caldwell County, TX]

SEEING NO SPEAKERS, WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING AT 9: 32 AND WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM H-2 DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION TO ADOPT FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET BY RECORD VOTE.

COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND? AYE.

COMMISSIONER HORNE? AYE.

COMMISSIONER THERIOT? AYE.

COMMISSIONER THOMAS? AYE. AND AYE.

[H.3 To discuss and take possible action on adopting the proposed tax rate for Caldwell County, TX of $0.4391 for Tax Year 2026. Speaker: Judge Haden/Danie Teltow; Backup: 33; Cost: $0.4391 per $100 of taxable value]

TEXAS OF 0.4391 FOR THE TAX YEAR 2026 AND THAT IS 0.4391 PER $100 TAXABLE VALUE.

COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND? COMMISSIONER HORNE? AYE. COMMISSIONER THERIOT? AYE. COMMISSIONER THOMAS? AYE. AND AYE. MOTION PASSES.

WE CAN, YEP.

THANK YOU. CALDWELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT, BY PASSAGE OF THIS ORDER, ORDER 11-2026, ADOPTING TAX RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027, HEREBY ADOPTS TAX RATE OF 0.4391 PER $100 VALUATION. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, COMMISSIONERS COURT OF CALDWELL COUNTY, TEXAS, THAT THE 2026-2027 CALDWELL COUNTY AD VALOREM TAX RATE IS AS FOLLOWED, 0.3594 FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION, 0.0001 FOR THE PURPOSE OF FARM TO MARKET ROAD FUND, 0.0796 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE DEBT OF CALDWELL COUNTY, FOR A TOTAL TAX RATE OF 0.4391. THIS TAX RATE WILL RAISE LESS TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS THAN LAST YEAR'S RATE, WILL RAISE MORE TAXES FOR PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON DEBT. THE TAX RATE WILL INCREASE BY 2.14% FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS ON A $100,000 HOME BY APPROXIMATELY $21.40 ADOPTED THIS 10TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2026.

CORRECT. IF I CAN JUST GO BACK TO THE BUDGET. THERE IS A CORRECTION I DO WANT TO MAKE ON H2. IT DOESN'T REALLY AFFECT THE BUDGET. I DID FORGET TO PUT IN THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPUTY FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BUT IT IS REIMBURSED BY BLUE BONNET. SO I'LL BRING THAT BACK FORMALLY TO THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE NEW FISCAL YEAR. AND THEN I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT WAS A PART OF THIS, ALL THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS REVIEWING THEIR BUDGET.

GETTING IN CONTACT WITH ME, MAKING SURE THAT THEIR BUDGETS WERE CORRECT. AND THEN AS WELL AS MY STAFF, ESPECIALLY MY FIRST ASSISTANT, GABBY, WHEN I WASN'T THERE, SHE WAS ABLE TO DO IT. AND THEN JUDGE'S OFFICE, EVERYBODY THAT WAS INVOLVED PURCHASING HR. SO EVERYONE DID AN AMAZING JOB THIS YEAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS,

[H.7 To discuss and take possible action to authorize the execution of Supplemental Work Authorization No. 1 to Work Authorization No. 1 for the FM 20 Realignment project between Caldwell County and Rodriguez Transportation Group, Inc. The supplemental increases the amount payable under WA No. 1 from $861,397.23 to $999,616.07. Speaker: Judge Haden/Commissioner Westmoreland/Maria Castanon; Backup: 12; Cost: $138,218.84]

[00:35:03]

DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL WORK AUTHORIZATION NUMBER ONE TO WORK AUTHORIZATION NUMBER ONE FOR FM 20 REALIGNMENT PROJECT BETWEEN CALDWELL COUNTY AND RODRIGUEZ TRANSPORTATION GROUP.

SUPPLEMENTAL INCREASES. THE AMOUNT PAYABLE UNDER WA NUMBER ONE FROM $861, 397.23 TO $999, 616.07.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL WORK AUTHORIZATION IS SPECIFICALLY TO FUND SOME ADDITIONAL INTERSECTION CONTROL EVALUATIONS THAT TXDOT HAS REQUESTED ON THE FM 20 PROJECT AT SOUTH MAIN STREET AT MEADOWS PARK LANE.

IN ADDITION, WHEN THE TRAFFIC STUDY WAS DONE FOR FM 20, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A FIVE-LANE WAS GOING TO BE NEEDED MUCH SOONER THAN WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY ENVISIONED. AND SO THIS ALLOWS RTG TO LOOK AT FIVE-LANE ALTERNATIVES AND THEN ALSO ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS. OKAY. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONERS? MOVE TO APPROVE. WE MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE.

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

AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.

MOVING TO ITEM H-9. I THINK I'M GOING TO DO H-10 FIRST BECAUSE THAT'S FOR TEMPORARILY EMPLOYING MARK KENNEDY. AND THEN WE CAN GO TO H-9 IF THAT'S OKAY WITH EVERYBODY. ITEM H-10,

[H.10 To discuss and take possible action regarding an engagement agreement with Mark Kennedy to contract with the County on civil matters and any other duties as assigned by the Court. Speaker: Judge Haden/Fred Weber/Alex Hellerstedt/Danie Teltow; Backup: 6; Cost: TBD]

AGREEMENT WITH MARK KENNEDY TO CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY ON CIVIL MATTERS AND ANY OTHER DUTIES AS SIGNED BY THE COURT. COMMISSIONERS, MARK KENNEDY IS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT WE DO, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, CONTRACT REVIEW, ALL THE THINGS THAT WE NEED A CIVIL ATTORNEY TO DO. AND THIS IS SEEKING YOUR APPROVAL TO SIGN AN ENGAGEMENT WITH MR. KENNEDY TO USE HIS SERVICES UNTIL WE CAN ADDRESS SOME OF WHAT'S IN ITEM H-9. AND JUST MADE A NOTE, IN HIS AGREEMENT, THIS IS BASED OFF COMMISSIONER'S COURT, YOU CAN TERMINATE THE AGREEMENT AT ANY TIME.

OKAY. COMMISSIONERS? I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE.

[H.9 To discuss and take possible action regarding filling the vacant Civil Attorney position, reporting structure, in-house vs. outside firm, and related budget implications. Speaker: Judge Haden/Fred Weber/Alex Hellerstedt/Danie Teltow; Backup: 0; Cost: TBD]

AND BEFORE I SEEK A MOTION ON THIS, I THINK WE PROBABLY NEED TO GET A LITTLE OUT OF ORDER AND HAVE SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER WE WANT TO SEEK AN OUTSIDE FIRM, WHETHER WE WANT TO SEEK IN-HOUSE ATTORNEY, A COMBINATION OF BOTH, OUTSIDE FIRM FOR NOW UNTIL WE CAN IDENTIFY AN IN-HOUSE ATTORNEY. THERE'S MULTIPLE VARIABLES ON IT. SO I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT Y 'ALL'S SPOTS ARE.

MY PREFERENCE AT THIS MOMENT WOULD BE TO AT LEAST MOVE FORWARD AT SOME DEGREE TO IN-HOUSE COUNSEL DIRECTLY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE COURT. THAT WOULD BE WHAT I THINK WOULD BE THE MOST PRUDENT SETUP GOING FORWARD.

UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ACTION WE JUST TOOK TO AT LEAST PUT A BAND-AID ON THE SITUATION FOR A LITTLE BIT KIND OF GIVES US A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE BEST SOLUTION GOING FORWARD IS, BUT MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE IN-HOUSE. THANK YOU. IF WE DO THAT, I'D LIKE TO SEE US DO AN EXHAUSTIVE SEARCH AND SOMETHING THAT'S STATEWIDE AT LEAST TO TRY TO IDENTIFY A CANDIDATE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE BASE THAT WE NEED TO DO THAT.

I AGREE. I THINK THE SKILL SET THAT'S NEEDED CURRENTLY WARNS US OF, YOU KNOW, SEARCHING FOR AN IN-HOUSE ATTORNEY.

OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS, COMMISSIONERS? IF NOT, I GUESS I'D LOOK FOR A MOTION TO ALLOW US TO PROCEED WITH FILLING THE VACANCY OF THE CIVIL ATTORNEY AND HAVING THEM DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO THAT EFFECT. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY

[00:40:01]

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE,

[H.11 To discuss and take possible action on moving to internally built website for county official website. Speaker: Judge Haden/Chris Cunningham; Backup: 0; Cost: TBD]

CHRISTOPHER, ARE YOU HERE? YEAH, YOU'VE GOT ABOUT 18 ITEMS, SO STAY UP THERE A WHILE.

YES, SIR. ALL RIGHT.

GOOD MORNING. SORRY, I FORGOT WHAT TIME IT IS.

LOOKING FOR APPROVAL TO MOVE TO THE INTERNALLY BUILT WEBSITE.

WHAT BROUGHT US HERE IS THE CURRENT WEBSITE THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY HOSTING THROUGH TAC IS INCREASING THEIR PRICE BY ROUGHLY $10, 000. MOVING TO AN INTERNALLY BUILT WEBSITE WILL ALLOW US TO REDUCE THAT COST WHILE GAINING FURTHER ABILITY TO ADD TO THE WEBSITE AND MAKE IT MORE CUSTOMIZED AND GIVE US GREATER VIEW INTO WHAT WE WANT TO PRODUCE OUT TO THE COUNTY AND PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION RESOURCE TO THE PUBLIC. ONE SECOND TO LOG IN.

YES.

ALL RIGHT, SO THIS IS THE PROPOSED NEW WEBSITE. RIGHT NOW THE COLOR SCHEME IS EMERALD WITH A GOLD FACADE TO IT. IT CURRENTLY ACHIEVED PARITY WITH OUR EXISTING WEBSITE NOW.

RIGHT NOW AT THE TOP, YOU DO SEE IT DOES SAY CALDWELL COUNTY DOT TEXAS DOT GOV. I DO WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT CO DOT COBALT DOT TX DOT US WILL STILL WORK AND RESOLVE TO THE SAME WEBSITE.

WE ARE MAINTAINING THAT DOMAIN.

THAT WILL STILL BE THE OFFICIAL COUNTY DOMAIN. THE DOT GOV IS JUST SOMETHING THAT WE ALREADY HAD THAT WAS ALREADY IN EXISTENCE THROUGH TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION RESOURCES ALLOWED TO OUR COUNTY FOR FREE. SO THAT'S WHAT WE BUILT ON.

LASTLY, ON THE WEBSITE, WE HAVE GATING PUT IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT AS FAR AS ACCESSIBILITY AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE COMPLIANT, THAT IS STRICTLY ENFORCED ON HERE AND IT'S ACTUALLY GATED SO THAT WAY WHENEVER PEOPLE MAKE CHANGES TO THE WEBSITE FOR THEIR DEPARTMENTS, WHICH I WILL BE HOSTING A SEMINAR ON TO TEACH THEM HOW TO DO THAT, THAT IF THEY MAKE ANY CHANGES THAT VIOLATE ANY KIND OF ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES, IT WILL BE FLAGGED, REVIEWED, AND THEN WE'LL BE ABLE TO CORRECT THAT ISSUE.

BUT THAT'S WHAT I HAVE.

COMMISSIONERS. I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM H-11. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING

[H.12 To discuss and take possible action on the Caldwell County IT Governance Policy. Speaker: Judge Haden/Chris Cunningham; Backup: 29; Cost: $0.00]

THE GOAL BEHIND THIS IS TO ESTABLISH A FRAMEWORK FOR IT ACROSS THE COUNTY. THIS WILL BE THE WIREFRAME THAT WILL BE REFERENCED FOR ALL OTHER POLICIES TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A GOVERNOR STRUCTURE WHENEVER IT COMES TO IT CHANGES, IT PURCHASING, AND DATA GOVERNANCE, WHICH WILL BE SOME OF THE OTHER POLICIES THAT WE DISCUSS HERE.

AND DOES IT HAVE LIKE AN AI PORTION TO IT, CHRIS? LIKE FOR CHAT GBP AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS? YES, SIR. OKAY, GOOD. ALL RIGHT.

OKAY, COMMISSIONERS. MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM H-12, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE, WE JUST DID THAT ONE, SORRY.

[H.13 To discuss and take possible action on the Caldwell County Data Governance Policy. Speaker: Judge Haden/Chris Cunningham; Backup: 77; Cost: $0.00]

SO THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE DATA GOVERNANCE POLICY IS TO ESTABLISH A CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINE ON THE DATA WITHIN THE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS THE DIFFERENT REPROTATION TYPES, THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE DATA, WHAT IS PRIVATE, WHAT IS NOT, WHAT IS CONSUMABLE TO THE PUBLIC. WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE HOLD OURSELVES

[00:45:01]

[H.14 To discuss and take possible action on the Caldwell County IT Purchasing Policy. Speaker: Judge Haden/Chris Cunningham; Backup: 35; Cost: $0.00]

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS? MOTION TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE,

[H.15 To discuss and take possible action on the Caldwell County IT Disaster Recovery Plan. Speaker: Judge Haden/Chris Cunningham; Backup: 45; Cost: $0.00]

OKAY. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONERS? MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

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

[H.16 To discuss and take possible action on the Caldwell County IT User Agreement. Speaker: Judge Haden/Chris Cunningham; Backup: 3; Cost: $0.00]

ITEM H-16, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE CALDWELL COUNTY IT USERS AGREEMENT. YES, SIR.

THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE USER AGREEMENT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ACTIONS THAT THEY TAKE ON COUNTY INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND USING COUNTY DATA. THEY ARE AGREEING TO USE IT FOR THE PURPOSES NECESSARY TO CONDUCT COUNTY BUSINESS AND USING DEVICES AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT THAT COUNTY BUSINESS SO THAT WAY WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT IT IS AVAILABLE FOR ANY KIND OF PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE DON'T USE DATA ERRONEOUSLY WITHIN THE COUNTY. OKAY. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS? MOVE TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES.

[H.17 To discuss and take possible action on the Caldwell County IT Artificial Intelligence Policy. Speaker: Judge Haden/Chris Cunningham; Backup: 56; Cost: $0.00]

MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS STILL A HUMAN IN THE MIDDLE AND ACCOUNTABILITY WHENEVER ACTIONS ARE TAKEN OR INFORMATION IS GENERATED USING AI. OKAY.

COMMISSIONERS? MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. OPPOSED?

[H.18 To discuss and take possible action regarding an Interlocal Agreement between Caldwell County and the Texas Cyber Command through UT-Austin RSOC. Speaker: Judge Haden/Chris Cunningham; Backup: 8; Cost: $0.00]

ITEM H-18, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN CALDWELL COUNTY AND THE TEXAS CYBER COMMAND. SIR, THE PURPOSE BEHIND THIS AGREEMENT IS TO WORK WITH THE TEXAS CYBER COMMAND IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN AND HARDEN OUR NETWORKS, MAKING SURE THAT THEY PROVIDE THAT INCIDENT RESPONSIBILITY.

THEY'RE ALSO PROVIDING US TOOLS THAT WE CURRENTLY USE, THAT WE PAY FOR, FOR FREE, TO THE COUNTY. WE, THROUGH THIS AGREEMENT, WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS TO ENTER AN AGREEMENT WITH THEM FOR THEIR FULL SUITE OF TOOLS. OKAY.

COMMISSIONERS? MOVE TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE.

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

[H.19 To discuss and take possible action on county cloud environment for the development and usage of internal tools. Speaker: Judge Haden/Chris Cunningham; Backup: 0; Cost: $0.00]

THE PURPOSE BEHIND THIS IS TO AUTHORIZE THE USAGE OF A CLOUD HOSTING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MULTIPLE TOOLS, OPTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM THAT I

[00:50:02]

OKAY. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONERS? MOVE APPROVAL.

MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE.

[H.20 To discuss and take possible action on adoption of the All-Hazards Facility Emergency Action Plan for the Caldwell County Community and Evacuation Center. Speaker: Judge Haden/Joann GarzaMayberry/Hector Rangel; Backup: 15; Cost: $0.00]

IT ALSO WILL HELP PHYLLIS GUIDE HER IF THERE'S A RENTAL GOING ON AND SHE NEEDS TO MAKE A CALL ON WHETHER THERE'S SHELTER IN PLACE, EVACUATE, AND HOW TO DO THAT. OKAY. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONERS? MOTION TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL

[H.21 To discuss and take possible action regarding a Caldwell County Burn Ban. Speaker: Judge Haden/Hector Rangel; Backup: 2; Cost: $0.00]

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ITEM H-21, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE CALDWELL COUNTY BURN BAN. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONER, STAFF, AND GALLERY. WELL, OUR WEATHER CONDITIONS AREN'T GETTING ANY BETTER. WE'RE STILL IN THE TRIPLE DIGITS. THE CHANCES FOR RAIN ARE BETWEEN 5 AND 10 PERCENT. THERE'S NOTHING OUT IN THE TROPICS THAT INDICATE ANY TYPE OF SHOWERS COMING OUR WAY.

THERE WERE SHOWERS YESTERDAY, BUT THEY WERE JUST EAST OF CALDWELL COUNTY AROUND THE FAYETTE COUNTY AREA AND THEY MOVED OUT TO THE NORTHEAST.

CURRENTLY OUR KBDI NUMBERS, THE MINIMUM IS 550, MAX IS 728, AVERAGE OF 649 WITH A CHANGE OF 6. THESE NUMBERS KEEP INCREASING AND IT'S VERY DRY OUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

WE'VE HAD A FEW FIRES, SO I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT WE KEEP OR EXTEND THE BURN BAND ANOTHER TWO WEEKS. OKAY.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS? MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE FOR APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE.

[H.22 To discuss and take possible action regarding the 2027 Sheriff and Constable Service Fees. Speaker: Judge Haden/Clemente Verastegui; Backup: 1; Cost: $0.00]

WE'VE UPDATED OUR LIVESTOCK IMPOUND FEES AND EXPENSES AND ADDED THAT TO THE FEE SCHEDULE TO GO ALONG WITH SURROUNDING COUNTIES WHO DO AS WELL. ALL OF OUR CIVIL SERVICE FEES STAY THE SAME, BUT WE ADDED A CANCELLATION FEE FOR WHEN WE WORK RATE OF EXECUTIONS AND ORDERS OF SALE, ALONG WITH THE IMMEDIATE VACATE FEE, WHICH THE PROPERTY CODE ALLOWS US TO CHARGE THE SAME AS A RATE OF POSSESSION, SO WE JUST ADDED THAT FEE TO OUR SCHEDULE. THAT WAY IT'S OFFICIAL ON THERE. WE ALSO RAISED OUR EARLY RATE ON RATE OF POSSESSIONS FROM $55 AN HOUR TO $60, SO WE JUST RAISED IT BY $5 MORE. AND THAT'S IT.

OKAY. COMMISSIONERS? I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL OF CONSTABLE AND SHERIFF'S FEES BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE.

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

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE,

[H.23 To discuss and take possible action on submitting a grant application to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for the Rural Law Enforcement Grant Program established by Senate Bill 22 to provide financial assistance to the Sheriff's Office. Speaker: Judge Haden/Amber Quinley/Mike Lane; Backup: 6; Cost: $0.00]

THIS IS THE STANDARD SB 22 FUNDING THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEKING FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW. THIS IS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND WE HAVE BEEN REQUESTING THE FULL AMOUNT OF $350,000, AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GRANTED THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, SO I HAVE NO REASON TO THINK THAT WE WOULD DO OTHERWISE THIS TIME. THERE'S NO MATCH, AND THEY WILL BE USING THESE FUNDS TO SUPPLEMENT SALARIES. OKAY.

COMMISSIONERS? MOVE TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE.

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

[H.24 To discuss and take possible action regarding the acceptance of an award from the Office of the Governor for the Operation Lone Star Grant Program, FY 2027 in the amount of $100,000.00, and to authorize the County Judge to execute contract documents associated with this grant award. Speaker: Judge Haden/Amber Quinley; Backup: 6; Cost: $0.00]

[00:55:02]

BUT IT'S VERY MUDDY WATERS. SO IT'S MY RECOMMENDATION THAT WE DO NOT ACCEPT THIS FUNDING.

THEY ALSO CUT IT DOWN FROM WHAT WE HAD REQUESTED. SO IT'S NOT GOING TO FIT EXACTLY TO OUR ORIGINAL PLAN.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE HEADACHE AND THE WAITING GAME.

AND WE MAY NOT RECEIVE GUIDANCE FOR A REALLY LONG TIME. SO THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION.

THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY REMARKS BY ANYBODY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT BEFORE WE CALL A VOTE? NO? PAUL? I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BENEFIT OR WHAT THE DOWNSIDE OF WAITING WOULD BE. IF IT COMES THROUGH, IT COMES THROUGH, THEN WE CAN DISCUSS IMPLEMENTING IT. BUT JUST TO SAY NO, BECAUSE THE WATER IS MUDDY RIGHT NOW, IT TAKES TIME TO CLEAR THINGS UP. THERE'S A LOT OF MISINFORMATION OUT THERE RIGHT NOW, AND IT TAKES TIME TO CLEAR THAT UP. SO I WOULD RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE AND I WOULD SAY LET'S WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. THAT WAY IF EVERYTHING WORKS OUT, YOU HAVE $100,000 OR LESS TO WORK WITH TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT. IF IT GOES AWAY, AND IT GOES AWAY, AND THEN IT GOES AWAY.

OTHERWISE, YOU'RE KILLING IT BEFORE YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO GET IT CLEARED UP. OKAY, THANK YOU. CAN I ASK A QUESTION? YEAH, GO AHEAD.

SO AFTER THE GRANT AWARD WAS ANNOUNCED, WE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT IT'S ON PAUSE OR ON HOLD.

SO WOULD YOUR RECOMMENDATION BE TO DECLINE THE GRANT OR TO TABLE UNTIL FURTHER DIRECTION? WELL, WE HAVE TO EITHER ACCEPT OR DECLINE.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME.

WE CAN'T JUST SIT ON IT AND TABLE IT. TO GO BACK ON WHAT CONSTABLE EASTERLING SAID, IF WE DO ACCEPT AND THEY PUT OUT GUIDANCE LATER ON DOWN THE ROAD THAT ALLOWS US TO DECLINE, THEN AT THAT POINT WE CAN.

BUT I HAVE SEEN IT HAPPEN IN THE PAST WHERE IF YOU FORMALLY ACCEPT AN AWARD AND THEN LATER ON YOU DECIDE THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THAT GRANT, AS FAR AS IN THE GRANT WORLD, IT PUTS A BAD MARK ON YOUR NAME.

WE COULD SEE THAT WE DON'T GET FUNDED FOR FUTURE FUNDS THAT COME FROM THE SAME OFFICE. NOT NECESSARILY FOR THE SAME TYPE OF FUNDING, BUT IF IT'S COMING THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, IT COULD BE A BAD MARK ON OUR NAME. THAT WOULD BE THE REASON THAT I WOULD SAY TO DECLINE.

SO WE JUST HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT. COMMISSIONER THOMAS, GO AHEAD. YES, JUST TO BE CLEAR, THIS GRANT IS FOR LICENSE PLATE READERS FOR OUR CAMERAS. WE ORIGINALLY APPLIED FOR FIVE OF THE MOBILE TRAILERS WITH THE ATTACHED LPR CAMERAS.

WE WERE GOING TO DO THAT FOR EACH ONE OF THE CONSTABLES AND THE SO.

THEY HAVE CUT OUR FUNDING DOWN TO $100,000, WHICH WILL ONLY DO FOUR. AND THEY ONLY APPROVED FOUR IN THE SCOPE OF WORK. SO WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION ALSO.

WHO GETS THE FOUR IF WE DO ACCEPT THE FUNDING? AND THAT'S IF THEY CONTINUE TO MOVE ON THE SAME SCOPE OF WORK.

THEY MAY TOTALLY REALIGN IT AND HAVE US USE THE FUNDING DIFFERENTLY. IT'S ALL WE DON'T KNOW. IT'S ALL UNKNOWN. CAN I SAY SOMETHING? I THINK AS MUCH AS THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GIVES OUT MONEY, I DON'T THINK IT WOULD. I AGREE WITH AMBER'S RECOMMENDATION.

AS UNCLEAR AS EVERYTHING IS AT THE STATE LEVEL, I WOULD JUST GO AHEAD AND PAUSE IT AND DENY IT BECAUSE DOWN THE ROAD, THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE OPPORTUNITY

[01:00:02]

SO I THINK YOU WOULD BE SAFE TO SAY AS QUICK AS THEY PUT THIS OUT, THEY'RE GOING TO PUT SOMETHING OUT AGAIN LATER DOWN THE ROAD. OKAY. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONERS? WELL, GIVEN THE DISCUSSION, I'LL MOVE TO DECLINE THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE GRANT. OKAY. MOTION TO DECLINE THE GRANT BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE,

[H.25 To discuss and take possible action on accepting an award for Caldwell County Constable PCT. 3 from the Texas Department of Transportation for the Texas Traffic Safety FY 2027 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant, in the amount of $11,765.26. Speaker: Judge Haden/Amber Quinley/David Saenz; Backup: 43; Cost: $1,794.70]

ITEM H-25, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON ACCEPTING AWARD FOR CALDWELL COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE TEXAS TRAFFIC SAFETY FY 2027 SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM GRANT, AMOUNT OF $11,765.26. SO THIS GRANT IS A GRANT THAT PRECINCT 3 IS CURRENTLY WORKING. IT IS SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT, AND WE ARE REIMBURSED FOR SALARIES THROUGH THIS.

IT'S NOT A SUPER BIG GRANT, BUT IT DOES HELP THEM BE ABLE TO WORK A LITTLE BIT OUTSIDE OF THEIR NORMAL HOURS AND STILL HAVE ENFORCEMENT OUT THERE.

THE ONLY MATCH ON IT IS FRINGE, AND WE'RE ALREADY PAYING THAT, SO WE GET TO USE THAT AS OUR MATCH.

EVERYTHING HAS GONE GREAT THE PAST TWO YEARS THAT WE'VE DONE IT, AND I HAVE NO REASON TO THINK THAT IT WON'T GO GOOD AGAIN THIS YEAR. OKAY.

COMMISSIONERS? I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING

[H.26 To discuss and take possible action on accepting an award for Caldwell County Constable PCT. 4 from the Texas Department of Transportation for the Texas Traffic Safety FY 2027 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant, in the amount of $11,765.47. Speaker: Judge Haden/Amber Quinley/Fred Salas; Backup: 42; Cost: $1,794.73]

COMMISSIONERS? YES. SO THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO WORK, YOU SAY, EXTRA HOURS? IF THAT'S HOW THEY CHOOSE TO DO IT. THEY CAN DO IT INSIDE WORKING HOURS, BUT TECHNICALLY IT'S MEANT TO WORK OUTSIDE OF NORMAL HOURS TO ALLOW THOSE OFFICERS TO COVER SOME MAYBE HOURS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE GOOD COVERAGE, BUT THEN WE ALSO GET REIMBURSED FOR THAT. MOTION TO APPROVE.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER THOMAS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE.

[H.27 To discuss and take possible action regarding the acceptance of an award from Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans' Assistance General Assistance - Financial Assistance Grant for FY 2027 in the amount of $100,000.00. Speaker: Judge Haden/Amber Quinley/Sara Love; Backup: 2; Cost: $0.00]

WE HAVE THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE AND THE HOUSING FOR TEXAS HEROES. THIS COMING YEAR WE APPLIED FOR THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE AGAIN. THAT GIVES, SHE IS ABLE TO HELP VETERANS OUT WITH RENT, MORTGAGE, FOOD, UTILITIES, AND TRANSPORTATION. SO IT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT FOR HER DEPARTMENT AND WE WERE AWARDED AGAIN, SO WE'RE EXCITED. OKAY.

I'LL TELL YOU, COMMISSIONER, IS IT NOT A MONTH GOES BY THAT I DON'T GET SEVERAL EMAILS FROM VETERANS IN OUR COUNTY SAYING WHAT A GOOD JOB SARAH DOES. AND SO I THINK SHE SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR THAT. THANK YOU. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS. MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE OR TO ACCEPT. WE HAVE THE BIG READER'S DIGEST. WE WENT TO THE BIG CHECK PRESENTATION LAST WEEK. SO, YEAH, IT WENT GREAT.

DO YOU WANT TO TAKE A PICTURE? YEAH, SURE. LET US GO AHEAD AND GET IT PASSED AND THEN WE'LL DO A PHOTO. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? MOVE TO APPROVE.

MOVE TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY

[01:05:01]

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT, NOW WE CAN DO THE PHOTO.

ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR.

OH, WHAT HAVE WE GOT?

[H.28 Discuss and take possible action to: (1) grant an exemption from competitive procurement requirements pursuant to Texas Local Government Code §262.024(a)(4) for licensed commercial real estate brokerage, advisory, and negotiation services; (2) select Lone Star Realty to provide such services and authorize negotiation and execution of a brokerage agreement, subject to legal review and an established compensation limit; and (3) grant an exemption pursuant to Texas Local Government Code §262.024(a)(6) for the acquisition of land or right-of-way associated with the proposed county property acquisition. Speaker: Judge Haden/Danie Teltow; Backup: 0; Cost: $0.00]

BUT BEFORE WE CAN DO ANYTHING, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE THE EXEMPTION FOR THE PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS IN CASE WE DO HAPPEN TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY OR ANY FUTURE PROPERTY, WE CAN USE LONE STAR REALTY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN AND USE THEM FOR THEIR SERVICES ON ANY FUTURE PROCUREMENT.

OKAY.

COMMISSIONERS? I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. ANY DISCUSSION? I DO WANT TO MAKE IT KNOWN THAT WE DECIDED I RECOMMENDED LONE STAR REALTY BECAUSE THE PROPERTY IN QUESTION IS ACTUALLY OWNED BY THE OWNERS OF COUNTYWIDE BUILDERS, SO A LITTLE BIT OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST THERE. SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR REPRESENTATION IS NOT MUDDY AND EVERYTHING'S CLEAN. THEY HAVE THEIR SIDE, WE HAVE OURS, AND EVERYTHING'S GOOD TO GO.

VERY GOOD. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY MORE DISCUSSION? NOT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. OPPOSED?

[H.29 To discuss and take possible action to approve and authorize the County Judge to execute a Commercial Letter of Intent regarding Caldwell County's proposed purchase of approximately 0.62 acres located at [215 Bufkin Ln., Lockhart, TX, 78644], Property ID No. 18857, from [Jim Smith Rentals, LLC], at the cost of $895,000.00. Speaker: Judge Haden/Danie Teltow; Backup: 6; Cost: $895,000.00]

ITEM H-29, DISCUSS AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A COMMERCIAL LETTER OF INTENT REGARDING CALDWELL COUNTY'S PROPOSED PURCHASE OF APPROXIMATELY 0.62 ACRES LOCATED AT 215 BUFKIN LANE, LOCKHART, TEXAS, 78644, PROPERTY ID NUMBER 18857 FROM JIM SMITH REYNOLDS, LLC, AT A COST OF $895,000.

WITH THIS, I KNOW JUDGE AND I WALKED THROUGH THE PROPERTY AS WELL. I DID DO AN INSPECTION ON IT. INSPECTION CAME BACK GOOD. WE ALSO HAD IT APPRAISED.

IT'S A GREAT LOCATION. THE APPRAISAL CAME BACK $800,000, SO IT IS VERY CLOSE TO THE ASKING PRICE. IT'S NOT SOMETHING ASTRONOMICAL. AND I'LL LET JUDGE KIND OF GO FORWARD WITH HIS EXPLANATION OR REASONS WHY THE COUNTY MIGHT WANT TO PURCHASE IT. IT DOES HAVE GREAT OFFICE SPACE. WE ARE GROWING, BUT YOU CAN GO AFTER IT. SO WE LOOKED AT THIS AND ARE SEEKING YOUR APPROVAL BECAUSE, AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF ROOM.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOME REMODELING IN THE JUSTICE CENTER THIS YEAR TO MAKE SOME MORE ROOM FOR ATTORNEYS. AND WE JUST HAVE NO MORE ROOM FOR STAFF. EVERY TIME WE HIRE SOMEBODY, WE HAVE TO SQUEEZE ANOTHER DESK INTO A TINY OFFICE. AND SO IT'S JUST MAKING FOR SOME PRETTY CHALLENGING WORK CONDITIONS FOR OUR STAFF. THIS PROPERTY BASICALLY HAS TWO SIDES TO IT AND THEN AN AIR-CONDITIONED WAREHOUSE SPACE BEHIND IT. AND SO ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS IS TO MOVE ELECTIONS OVER THERE BECAUSE THERE'S ENOUGH ROOM FOR ELECTION STAFF AND THE EQUIPMENT CAN BE STORED ON PREMISES IN THAT WAREHOUSE RATHER THAN SCATTERED ALL

[01:10:02]

IT'LL CENTRALIZE THAT AND WOULD ALSO HAVE THE ADDED BENEFIT OF FREEING UP THE SCOTT ANNEX SHOULD WE CHOOSE TO USE THAT FOR A POLLING LOCATION GOING FORWARD BECAUSE WE CAN'T HAVE A POLLING LOCATION AND THE ELECTIONS OFFICE IN THE SAME BUILDING PER STATE LAW.

SO WE HAVE PLENTY OF FUNDS TO DO THIS. WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE TO GO OUT FOR A CO OR INCUR ANY DEBT TO THE COUNTY AND JUST SEEK AN APPROVAL TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE PROPERTY.

I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE INTERIOR PARTITIONING ON THAT BUILDING. AND IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE COUNTY EVEN WITHOUT MUCH REMODEL, IF ANY, AT ALL IF NEEDED. IT'S PARTITIONED IN A WAY THAT COULD BE USED PRETTY EFFICIENTLY BY A FEW OF OUR OFFICES. SO IT HAS PARKING IN BOTH FRONT AND REAR, I BELIEVE. CORRECT. AND WE DID EXPLORE JUST BUILDING A NEW SPACE. AND IT'S NOT OFF THE TABLE. WE HAVE SOME OTHER THINGS COMING UP THAT WE CAN EXPLORE THAT. BUT FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE, WE HAVE TO GET THE DA'S OFFICE SOME MORE ROOM. AND WE HAVE TO GET SOME MORE ROOM FOR STAFF.

SO TO BUILD A NEW BUILDING, EVEN A MODEST BUILDING AT THE JUSTICE CENTER WOULD BE SOMEWHERE ON THE ORDER OF $35 MILLION.

SO $895,000 PLUS A LITTLE REMODELING SEEMS A LOT BETTER WAY TO GO. AND IT'S A GREAT LOCATION. SO FOR SOME REASON DOWN THE ROAD THAT IT WOULDN'T BE BENEFICIAL FOR US TO KEEP, IT WOULDN'T BE A LOSS ON US.

NO, NOT AT ALL.

I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM H-29.

OKAY. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THOMAS. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR,

[H.30 To discuss and take possible action on Budget Amendment 16-2026 for Unit Road, moving $110,000.00 from Contingency & Medical Contingency to Repairs and Maintenance, and Paving. Speaker: Judge Haden/Danie Teltow; Backup: 1; Cost: $110,000.00]

DANNY? YES. OKAY, FOR THIS ONE, DONALD FROM UNIT ROAD REACHED OUT AND WE DO HAVE A LARGE REPAIR THAT WE NEED TO MAKE ON ONE OF HIS BRUSH CUTTERS ALONG WITH SOME SMALL OTHER PIECES OF EQUIPMENT THAT NEED REPAIRED.

SO IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT WE USE THE CONTINGENCY TO MOVE THAT OVER INTO THE UNIT ROAD. OKAY.

COMMISSIONERS? MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOVE APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? WE NEED THAT BRUSH CUTTER. WE DO. I AGREE. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. OPPOSED?

[I. EXECUTIVE SESSION]

THANK YOU. ITEM I, EXECUTIVE SESSION, PURSUANT TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551.087, DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH PROJECT HERCULES, POSSIBLE ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT, PURSUANT TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551.087, DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT APEX, GRAPHITE, POSSIBLE ACTION MAY FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT, WE'RE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 10: 13.

TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 10: 37, PURSUANT TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.087, DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT HERCULES, NO ACTION WILL FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT, PURSUANT TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551.087, DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PROJECT APEX, GRAPHITE, NO ACTION WILL FOLLOW IN OPEN COURT, AND WE WILL RESUME OUR REGULAR SESSION AT 10: 38 AND LOOK FOR A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SO MOVED.

OH, YEAH, YEAH, SORRY, I NEED TO TABLE THE ITEMS, AND I NEED A MOTION TO TABLE H31, H32. MOVE TO TABLE. MOVE TO TABLE BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. SECOND.

SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER THERIOT. ANY DISCUSSION? NOT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, MOTION CARRIES. NOW MOTION TO ADJOURN. MOVE TO ADJOURN. MOTION TO ADJOURN BY COMMISSIONER WESTMORELAND.

SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER HORNE. ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE.

OPPOSED? HEARING NONE, WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 10:38.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.