Dulce Arellano

The Commissioners Court meeting addressed several critical areas. Key consent agenda items involved approving substantial County Invoices, Purchase Orders, and multiple payroll/tax payments covering late 2025 and early 2026 periods, as well as accepting several Amended Comptroller payments from August through December 2025. Reports accepted included the January 2026 Indigent Burial Report, Constable reports for Precincts 1 and 4, and the Caldwell County Sheriff's 2025 Racial Profiling Report. Discussion-only items included an update on Cyber Security Training compliance and a discussion regarding a proposed development agreement for the Wild Roots Getaways & Gatherings Event Venue. Action items included approving the Second Amendment to the Development Agreement for Juniper Springs and approving preliminary and final plats for Tenney Creek Estates and Sunset Acres, respectively. A proclamation designating February 2026 as Black History Month was approved, as was a proclamation for the Caldwell County Progressive Club and a proclamation/certificate for Vessie Davis Tutt's 100th Birthday. The Court adopted a resolution supporting legislation to exempt Texas counties from the State Hotel Occupancy Tax and authorized fees for vehicle inspections by Constable Office PCT. 2. The Court voted to continue the burn ban and approved Budget Amendment 04-2026, as well as payment for an outstanding Card Service balance. Resolutions were adopted authorizing grant applications for the FY 2027 Body-Worn Camera Grant Program and the FY 2027 Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant Program, and authorizing participation in the Guadalupe County Drainage Plan. Finally, the submission of a grant application for the HB 3000 Rural Ambulance Service Grant Program was ratified. The meeting included a brief public hearing concerning the designation of Caldwell 142 Reinvestment Zone #1, which was subsequently established via ordinance. An executive session was held to discuss economic development negotiations associated with Project Bumble Bee, which was postponed for further action.

The meeting agenda included routine financial approvals, specifically for County Invoices and Purchase Orders totaling $851,947.06, and two payroll-related payments. Consent items covered accepting various DMV payments and discussing potential change orders for Blanket Purchase Orders related to road materials from Ergon Asphalt and Emulsion, Inc. and Colorado Materials, LTD. The agenda also mandated a public hearing concerning the Replat of Windmill Hollow, Lot 6. Action items involved the approval of minutes from a prior meeting, considering street completion for Sunset Oaks 6A, appointments to the Reinvestment Zone Number One board, action on the Plum Creek Watershed Protection Plan Agreement, reappointment to the ESD #5 Board of Directors, issuing a Proclamation for President George Washington Day, and discussing a Caldwell County Burn Ban. Personnel matters included reclassifying a vacant position in Constable PCT. 1 and accepting a donated ballistic shield for Constable PCT. 2. Financial discussions included a budget transfer for handheld radios and updates on economic development negotiations for Projects Bumble Bee, Blue Sky, and Prime Data Center, which were also slated for executive session deliberation.

The Commissioners Court meeting included announcements regarding local 4-H and FFA shows, and weather updates concerning local warming stations. The Consent Agenda involved the approval of numerous financial transactions, including County Invoices, Purchase Orders, Payroll, and various December 2025 remittances from the DMV and Comptroller, as well as ratification of payments to Century Construction Group, Inc., and approval of updated Per Diem reimbursement rates for 2026. Discussion-only items included a development agreement for Cozy Pecan Village RV Park. Action items addressed the approval of minutes from the January 8, 2026, meeting; a Proclamation designating February 2026 as Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month; approval of Preliminary Plat for Amended Plat of Calvis Estates Re-subdivision; and approval of several Development Agreements (Chelle Holdings, Inc. and Schulle Farm Partners, L.P.). The Court also authorized support for multiple grant applications to CAMPO for road widening and realignment projects (FM 2001 East, FM 2720, US 183 Turn Lane Addition, SH 142 Widening, and FM 20 Realignment). Appointments and reappointments were made to various boards including the CAPCOG Clean Air Coalition, Caldwell County ESD #3, ESD #4, ESD #5, and the Luling Foundation Farm Board. The Court voted to keep the burn ban in effect and authorized the sale of fireworks for Texas Independence Day. Approval was also granted for a grant application for the FY 2027 Criminal Justice Grant Program for Constable PCT. 2. Finally, resolutions were adopted to designate new locations and hours for early voting polling places for the upcoming primary election. The Court entered Executive Session to discuss economic development negotiations related to Project Bumble Bee and a 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Grant funding Project.

The meeting included announcements from Commissioners regarding road funding, subdivision ordinances, and local events. A significant portion of the meeting involved citizens' comments, primarily concerning the safety and condition of Pebblestone Road/CR 90, and objections to a proposed landfill and Host Agreement with Green Group Holdings. Action items included the approval of resolutions for Crime Victims Services Grants and proclamations for Soil & Water Stewardship Week and Air Quality Awareness Week. The court decided not to issue a burn ban at that time. A bid for a hazard mitigation plan was tabled for later review. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County and certain river outfitters for security and emergency services was approved. A budget amendment for the Unit Road Department was approved, and the court discussed the replacement of the courthouse lawn. Discussion on the Host Agreement Committee scheduling was tabled until the evening session.

The Commissioners Court meeting commenced following a moment of silence for Deputy Constable Aaron Armstrong and an invocation. Key items addressed included the confirmation that all employees were enrolled in Cybersecurity Training. During Citizens' Comments, a resident discussed concerns related to traffic volume and requested a correction regarding the date of a previous meeting's audio. The Consent Agenda covered the approval of County Invoices and Purchase Orders totaling $267,148.95, payroll payments, ratification of a check request to ECM Today, approval of an updated county mileage reimbursement rate to the IRS standard of $0.725 cents per mile, the December 2025 Indigent Burial Report, and receiving election results for the Caldwell County Appraisal District (CCAD) Board of Directors. The Court held a Public Hearing regarding consideration for the Amended Replat of Lot 18 for Tower Meadows Subdivision and the Cancellation of the Final Plat for Calvis Estates Subdivision. Action items included approving the Interlocal Agreement with the City of Lockhart concerning the Texas Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, appointing Commissioner Theriot as Judge Pro Tem for 2026, designating the courthouse as the official meeting site for 2026, keeping the burn ban in effect, approving an Outdoor Warning Sirens Grant Agreement with the Texas Water Development Board for $1,000,000.00, and approving submissions for two separate Texas Traffic Safety FY 2027 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant applications for Constable PCT. 3 and PCT. 4. Finally, the Court approved the Amended Replat of Lot 18 for Tower Meadows Subdivision (with a condition) and the Cancellation of the Final Plat for Calvis Estates Subdivision.