Caldwell County Commissioners discussed the burn ban, consideration of hiring a salaried director to lead the Caldwell County Community Services Foundation, and construction of the county’s next hazard mitigation plan.
(Pictured l-r: Pct. 1 Commissioner B.J. Westmoreland, Pct. 2 Commissioner Rusty Horne, County Judge Hoppy Haden, Pct. 3 Commissioner Ed Theriot, Pct. 4 Commissioner Dyral Thomas)
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Caldwell County Commissioners voted to leave the burn ban off. Average drought index values remain well below the KBDI threshold for drought. Caldwell County Office of Emergency Management Chief EMC Hector Rangel said recent grass fires had occurred as a result of burning during windy conditions with grass that had been dried out from recent freezes. Rangel also reminded people to burn natural brush only, noting that the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office had responded to a report of people burning astroturf. Citizens were reminded to monitor fires while burning, make sure they have access to water and use a screen when burning in a barrel.
Commissioners discuss request to hire salaried director for Community Services Foundation
The volunteer board of the Caldwell County Community Services Foundation is asking Caldwell County Commissioners to consider providing funding for a paid director to lead the organization, which has granted nearly $500,000 to 56 local nonprofits since its inception in 2019. Since then, founder Dennis Engelke has retired and the two county-employed board members have resigned. The CCCSF submitted a proposal to commissioners in which St. David’s would fund a portion of the salary for the new director, with the county providing matching funds. Commissioners said that while they were not opposed to considering the request, they would like to invite representatives of St. David’s to make a presentation during a future meeting to provide more information. Commissioners voted to table the item.
-
- Voted to accept the $100,000 Community Development Block Grant awarded by the Texas General Land Office that will be used to develop the FY 2025-2030 Caldwell County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan. The previous hazard mitigation plan was submitted to the General Land Office and yielded the county funding for the evacuation center project near Luling that is currently under construction. “Once the plan is constructed, we can turn it in to the GLO and hopefully get another large project for the county,” County Judge Hoppy Haden said. The county has contracted with Langford Community Management Services to build the plan.
- Voted to appoint Pct. 3 Commissioner Ed Theriot as Judge Pro Tem. The judge pro tem presides over commissioners court duties in the event the county judge is unavailable. Theriot was chosen for the position because he has served the longest among the four active commissioners.
- Voted to bump the mileage reimbursement rate up to the IRS standard of 70 cents per mile, up from 65 cents per mile.
- Agreed to keep meeting at the Caldwell County Courthouse on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
This is only a summary of meeting highlights. Click here to access full meeting minutes and watch video of the meeting.