Caldwell County Commissioners discussed a new law enforcement substation in Prairie Lea, a strategy to buy lifesaving medical equipment, the burn ban and approved a pair of proclamations at their October 9 meeting.
(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)
Commissioners approve MOU for new substation at Prairie Lea ISD
The Caldwell County Commissioners Court officially approved an agreement establishing a law enforcement substation at Prairie Lea ISD at today's regular meeting.
The agreement was developed through close collaboration between Pct. 2 Constable Paul Easterling and Prairie Lea ISD Interim Superintendent Buddy Freeman. The agreement has been approved by the PLISD School Board.
The new substation will provide dedicated office space on the PLISD campus for use by Precinct 2 Deputy Constables, as well as by deputies from the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, and DPS CVE Troopers, bringing a stronger and more visible law enforcement presence to the school.
Opioid Settlement to fund new lifesaving equipment
Commissioners voted to approve an action that clears the way for Caldwell County to use the proceeds from an opioid settlement to outfit several county buildings and vehicles with automated external difibrillators (AEDs) that could help save lives.
Caldwell County plans to use settlement proceeds of approximately $25,000 to purchase defibrillators for seven buildings and five county vehicles.
Funding from the 2025 Opioid Abatement Settlement comes from legal settlements reached with pharmaceutical companies and distributors for their role in the opioid crisis. The money from the settlements is disbursed through a state-level structure established by the Texas Legislature.
By law, 15% of the total settlement funds are directly distributed from the Trust Fund to Texas counties and municipalities. The Texas Comptroller's office is responsible for processing these payments.
AEDs are portable devices that analyze a person's heart rhythm and delivers an electric shock if necessary to treat sudden cardiac arrest. The devices are designed for use by the public, providing voice and visual prompts to guide the user through the process.
The use of an AED can significantly increase a person's chance of survival when used in the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest event.
This is a brief summary of discussion and action highlights of the October 9 regular commissioners court meeting. See full agendas and official meeting minutes and watch full video of the meetings here.