Caldwell County Commissioners on Tuesday, Aug. 26 voted to leave the burn ban on and approved a development agreement regarding Proto-Town, a planned innovation hub located near Lockhart, elected officials’ salaries and two proclamations.
(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)
Rain chances will increase through Saturday, but the burn ban will stay on for the next two weeks.
Commissioners on Tuesday voted to leave the burn ban on at the recommendation of Chief EMC Hector Rangel, who said firefighters had responded to “a few fires” since the last meeting on Aug. 12.
The average KBDI — which measures drought — for Caldwell County was 565 as of Tuesday morning, just 10 points off the threshold at which drought conditions are considered present.
All outdoor burning is prohibited at this time.
Development agreement for Proto-Town approved
Commissioners voted to approve a development agreement between the county, Earthship Corporation and Greenwood Ventures Group related to the purchase of 538 acres located south of Lockhart for Proto-Town.
Development agreements are legally binding contracts that establish the specific terms and conditions for projects, including defining responsibilities for infrastructure and public benefits.
Proto-Town Lockhart is a planned "Innovation Hub" for tech manufacturing and hardware startups that aims to create a "manufacturing and hardware city" to foster tangible innovation. The concept has been described as a place for founders to escape the “overregulated” environments of software-focused cities and build hardware, featuring events like rocket engine static fires and flight tests.
Plans for Proto-Town include full-scale demonstration buildings, new technology research facilities, demonstration of advanced manufacturing prototypes in the areas of robotics, space, and energy, and temporary living quarters for individuals engaged in research.
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- Approved elected officials’ salaries for FY 2025-2026
- Approved the sheriff’s and constables’ fee schedule for FY 2025-2026.
- Approved the submittal of grant applications to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for the Rural Law Enforcement Grant Program for the District Attorney’s Office and the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office can apply for up to $350,000 and the DA’s office can apply for up to $175,000. The departments are expected to use the funds for stipends that will boost employee pay for as long as the proceeds from the grant are available.
- Approved an amendment to the county purchasing policy that raises the threshold at which counties must use competitive procurement from $50,000 to $100,000.
- Approved an order agreement for the purchasing of license plate reading cameras from Flock Group for the Pct. 2 Caldwell County Constable’s Office.
- Accepted a $37,988 grant to help with court expenses related to indigent defense from the Texas Indigent Defense commission.
- Approved a proclamation declaring September to be Suicide Prevention Month.
- Approved a proclamation declaring September as CAPCOG Preparedness Month.
- Approved the final plat for Dewberry Point Subdivision, which includes 74 lots on 96.8 acres at FM 1854 and Seminole Trail.
This is a brief summary of discussion and action highlights of the Aug. 26 regular commissioners court meeting. See full agendas and official meeting minutes and watch full video of the meetings here.