Caldwell County Commissioners discussed the burn ban, the Capital Improvement Plan and potential help for the Smithville Workforce Training Center as well as approved three 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) 

Upcoming meetings 

Tuesday, Aug. 13 

Tuesday, Aug. 27 

Capital Improvement Plan Update 

The county’s Capital Improvement Plan to make substantial improvements to roadways located throughout the county took the next step forward on Tuesday at Caldwell County Commissioners Court. 

After holding a workshop last week to discuss a priority list of 23 potential road projects — including bridges and low water crossings — under consideration for a potential bond election in November, commissioners voted on Tuesday to direct the county’s financial advisors and bond counsel to prepare documents for a public hearing on Aug. 13.  

Following the public hearing, commissioners will decide whether to bring a bond election before the voters. The county has until Aug. 19 to call a November election to ask voters whether they support a tax increase.  

Learn more about the Capital Improvement plan at caldwellcountycip.com.

Burn Ban remains off 

Commissioners voted to leave the burn ban off at the recommendation of the Caldwell County Office of Emergency Management. Enough ground moisture remains that the average KBDI — which measures dryness — has stayed below the drought threshold with good rain chances in the forecast, Chief EMC Hector Rangel told the court. Since the last regular commissioners court meeting on July 9, there have been a few small grass fires mostly caused by occurrences such as burning trash or chains on the road causing sparks, the Chief EMC said.

Helping the Smithville Workforce Training Center 

The Smithville Workforce Training Center is asking the county to help them install a 1-acre gravel pad on land located near the site of the future evacuation center in the southern part of the county. The pad would make it easier for the training center to teach students working to get their commercial driver licenses learn to drive trucks, giving them more room to learn to maneuver tractor trailers, especially when turning around. Commissioners voted to authorize the county judge to get a quote on materials and see what it would cost the county to grant the training center’s request.  

Other Action 

Commissioners also: 

• Voted to award the bid for courthouse master plan development services to Ford Powell & Carson Architects & Planners out of San Antonio.  

• Approved a resolution calling for a public hearing on the creation of the Prairie Lea Public Improvement District. The public hearing will be held on or after Aug. 27, according to the resolution. 

• Approved the final plat for Cotton Gateway, Phase 1, consisting of 294 residential lots on approximately 140 acres located at FM 21 and William Pettus Road. 

• Approved a preliminary plat for Lantana Subdivision consisting of 469 residential lots on approximately 150 acres located on County View Road. 

• Approved a proclamation commemorating the 18th anniversary of the death of U.S. Army PFC Kristian Menchaca, paying tribute to his memory and service. 

• Approved a proclamation recognizing Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Officer’s week and 55 years of serving the Criminal Courts of Caldwell, Comal and Hays Community Supervision and Corrections Department. 

• Approved a proclamation designating July 30 as Hot Air Balloon Memorial Day in Caldwell County. 

NOTE: This is a summary of highlights of action that took place during the July 23 Commissioners Court Meeting. To read full meeting minutes and watch video of the meetings, click here.