Caldwell County Commissioners on Tuesday, July 22 discussed the 2025-2026 budget, outdoor burning, renewed the county’s agreement with PHI Air Medical, and authorized staff to submit an application for an LCRA grant.
(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)
Annual Budget Discussed at Workshop
Caldwell County Commissioners continued their discussion about the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget at their second workshop of the summer.
No formal action is taken at workshops, which provide commissioners and staff with an opportunity to introduce ideas and propose edits to drafts and working documents. The county will hold a public hearing on the budget later this summer prior to formal approval.
Employee salaries and the purpose of the county’s unencumbered fund balance dominated Tuesday’s conversation.
Early indications are that non-sheriff's office, non-law enforcement county employees will receive a 5% cost of living increase on Oct. 1 when the new fiscal year begins.
The amount proposed for the sheriff’s office is projected to allow for an 8% cost of living increase for sheriff’s deputies, making salaries on par with police departments in Lockhart and Luling.
While commissioners approve the amount allocated to the sheriff’s office, the sheriff ultimately determines how that money is distributed among employees.
Before adjourning, County Judge Hoppy Haden addressed recent articles published in area newspapers that suggested the county’s unencumbered fund balance, which is known colloquially as the “rainy day fund,” could be used for salary increases.
The unencumbered fund balance refers to the portion of a county's funds that are not committed to specific future expenditures or obligations.
The judge said plans were in place to create a policy that breaks down rules for tapping the fund, naming specific purposes that include expenses related to emergencies and disaster recovery.
“That money is meant to be used for purposes that serve everyone who is living in this county,” he said.
The judge emphasized that the approximately $24 million in the fund would be quickly exhausted repairing critical infrastructure in the event of a disaster similar to Hurricane Harvey or the floods that wrought havoc on Kerr County earlier this month.
The judge said points to consider when determining how to use unencumbered funds include:
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- While the federal funding is available to communities affected by federally declared disasters, it can take years to receive that money.
- The county can issue certificates of obligation (COs), which allow it to finance public projects without voter approval while promising to pay the debt through property taxes or other local revenues. However, the future of COs is a topic of discussion in this summer’s Special Session of the Texas Legislature. If they’re eliminated, counties will have to turn to either cash on hand or voter-approved bond issues for capital projects.
County renews agreement with PHI Air Medical
Commissioners voted to renew the county’s agreement with PHI Air Medical and approved an order that exempts the agreement from competitive bidding requirements. The company’s PHI Cares Program provides air medical transport benefits for all residents of Caldwell County when they are transported by a PHI Air Medical aircraft in the region.
Membership in the program costs the county $85,847 annually.
Per the terms of the agreement, Caldwell County residents are not required to pay any additional out-of-pocket expense for their emergency air medical transportation when a PHI Air Medical aircraft in the region transports them from Caldwell County or a surrounding county, including Bastrop, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays, Travis and Fayette counties.
The renewal takes effect on Oct. 1.
County to apply for LCRA grant
Caldwell County commissioners have authorized the county to apply for a Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) grant to assist with disaster recovery and safety equipment.
One $100,000 grant is available through the LCRA’s FY 2026 Community Grant program. Several grants up to $50,000 will also be available.
Counties are required to provide a 20% match for all grants over $5,000.
If funds are awarded, the county plans to use the money to buy traffic cones, portable defibrillators, safety vests and mobile digital signs.
If the county receives the $100,000 grant, it will also purchase a generator for the Caldwell County Office of Emergency Management.
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- Voted to leave the burn ban off.
- Approved a two-year funding agreement between Caldwell County and the Caldwell County Foundation to formally establish a full-time executive director position. Sally Daniel is the organization’s inaugural full-time executive director and first-ever paid employee. The Caldwell County Foundation was established to help local nonprofits through collaborative partnerships, capacity building and grant making.
- Approved a proclamation recognizing August as National Emergency Awareness Month.
- Approved the final plat for Bollinger Subdivision, Phase 4, consisting of 65 lots on Bobwhite Road and FM 2720.
- Approved the final plat for Mineral Springs Subdivision consisting of 24 lots at FM 672 and Barth Road.