Next meeting 

Thursday, May 14 

Commissioners keep burn ban off 

The burn ban remains off following action taken during the April 23 meeting of the Caldwell County Commissioners Court.  

The burn ban was temporarily suspended on April 13 due to improving conditions following significant rainfall. Commissioners voted unanimously to keep the ban off to allow residents in unincorporated areas of the county to continue reducing fire risk by burning brush. 

Recent rainfall has improved ground conditions to the point that fields are saturated. The average Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for Caldwell County was under 200 when Chief Emergency Management Coordinator Hector Rangel checked it prior to the meeting, he said.  

The KBDI threshold for drought is 575. 

County residents are reminded to burn only natural brush. 

Best burning practices published by the TCEQ are available in brochure form: 

• English 
• Spanish 

Proclamations recognize nurses, air quality and economic development 

Commissioners approved a trio of proclamations at their regular meeting. 

• May 9, 2026 was proclaimed Retired Nurses Group of Caldwell County. (RNGCC) and RNGCC Certified Nurse’s Aide Training Program Recognition Day. The group, which was founded by retired nursing professionals, has contributed to public health in Caldwell County by supporting vaccine distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic and establishing and continuing the Nurse’s Aide Training Program which provides training and mentorship for students entering the healthcare workforce. View the proclamation. 

• May 4-8 was recognized as Air Quality Awareness Week. The proclamation highlights the importance of maintaining good air quality as it relates to controlling annual fine particulate matter to preserve public health, the region’s economyand transportation planning. View the proclamation. 

• May 4-8 was also recognized as Economic Development Week, highlighting the role economic development professionals play in cultivating thriving communities. View the proclamation. 

Other Action 

Commissioners: 

• Approved a development agreement for Lockhart Property, LLC regarding the future Prime Data Centers to be located on approximately 205 acres off FM 2720. Read the terms of the agreement. 

• Approved a pair of reimbursement agreements between the county and Union Pacific Railroad for costs associated with engineering services related to a pair of upcoming road improvement projects involving/affecting railroad crossings. Read the agreements for the North Magnolia Turn Lane Addition project and the North Hackberry Avenue Truck Route project. Read about the projects themselves at caldwellroadbond.com/projects. 

• Authorized the county to post a Request for Proposal for Medical Service for Inmates at the Caldwell County Jail. 

• Authorized the submittal of a grant application to the Texas Historical Commission for a Texas Courthouse Preservation Program grant. If awarded, the grant could potentially fund both exterior and interior renovations at the historic Caldwell County Courthouse. Total cost of the projects is estimated at approximately $4 million if all suggested work in the courthouse master plan is completed. 

This is a brief summary of discussion and action highlights of the April 23, 2026  regular commissioners court meeting. See full agendas and official meeting minutes and watch full video of the meetings.