Caldwell County Commissioners discussed issuing the first bonds from the 2024 Road Bond Election, reorganizing the Environmental Enforcement Unit, an order prohibiting large truck traffic on CR 130, the burn ban and a handful of subdivisions at its March 25 regular meeting.

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(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) 

Next meeting 

Tuesday, April 8

Commissioners make changes to Environmental Enforcement Unit 

Caldwell County Commissioners voted to take steps to reorganize the county’s Environmental Enforcement Unit, which has experienced attrition lately with former administrative staff making moves to other departments and law enforcement personnel taking new jobs elsewhere. While the department could see further changes when the county completes its search for a new salaried planner who would manage the county code enforcement officer, commissioners voted to divide the department’s duties and assets between the Unit Road Department and the county’s four Constables’ offices.  

A truck previously used by the EEU will be transferred to the Unit Road Department to use for cleaning up illegal dump sites, and the county will hire two additional unit road workers who will be tasked with cleanup calls. 

Meanwhile, the four constables’ offices will investigate illegal dump sites, with each one responding to calls in its precinct. Commissioners voted to pay a $1,200 stipend to each office for one month to account for the extra workload. After a month, commissioners said they would have a better idea of how much to budget for each office.  

“I think about 70% of the cost comes from Precinct 4,” Judge Hoppy Haden said. “Lytton Springs and Dale have the most problems [with illegal dumping sites]. 

The department’s budget will also cover the cost of an employee in the district attorney’s office who will be tasked with prosecuting cases.

Thru traffic prohibited on CR 130 

Responding to feedback from concerned residents, Commissioners voted unanimously to prohibit thru traffic from vehicles with five or more axles on CR 130 between Harwood Road and FM 1322 – the stretch that is also known as Soda Springs Road. While no citizens spoke at a public hearing held Tuesday, Commissioner Rusty Horne said citizens had complained about delivery trucks using the road as a shortcut in lieu of other properly designated routes.

First issuance from 2024 Road Bond Election draws closer 

Commissioners directed Specialized Public Finance to continue making preparations ahead of June 10, when the county expects to complete its first bond issuance from the $150 million 2024 Road Bond Election. A Specialized representative estimated that the county could borrow up to $57 million on its first issuance if it adjusts property taxes by four cents per $100 valuation. What projects the county chooses to tackle first will be at its discretion, although it will be required to spend at least 85% of the funds within three years for qualified purposes.