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Commissioners Court Recap: July 22, 2025
07/22/2025

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) 

  

Next meeting 

Tuesday, August 12 

 

 

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: 

    • 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. 

 

Other Action 

Commissioners: 

    • 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operation Heat Shield box fan drive wraps up
07/14/2025

The Operation Heat Shield box fan drive led by the Pct. 2 Caldwell County Constable's Office has wrapped up with nearly 100 fans being collected and donated throughout the county to seniors and low-income residents.

"This effort wouldn’t have been possible without the compassion and generosity of this amazing community," Pct. 2 Constable Paul Easterling said. "Your kindness made a real, tangible impact."

 

The constable thanked participants in this video posted to social media.

Commissioners Court Recap: July 8, 2025
07/08/2025

Caldwell County Commissioners authorized acceptance in $250,000 to help veterans and their families as well as the burn ban and an IT staffing strategy contract at its July 8 regular 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)

 

 

Next meeting

Tuesday, July 22

 

County awarded $250K in grants to help area veterans

Caldwell County Commissioners voted to accept grant awards totaling $250,000 from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund that will provide veterans and their families with temporary financial assistance and money for critical home improvements.

The funding will be used to set up the Caldwell Vets First grant program, Veteran Services Coordinator Sara Love said. To apply for the funding, contact Caldwell County Veteran Services. The paperwork can be picked up with no appointment at the office located at 1403 Blackjack St. in Lockhart or by emailing sara.love@co.caldwell.tx.us.

 

The grant awards included:

  • $150,000 from the TVC Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) Housing for Texas Heroes – Home Projects Grant. This grant provides funds for home modifications, repairs, and weatherization for veterans and surviving spouses. Eligible projects include accessibility modifications, critical repairs, and energy-efficient improvements to their homes. 
  • $100,000 from the TVC FVA General Assistance – Financial Assistance Grant.  This grant provides veterans and their families with temporary, emergency expenses such as housing costs, utilities, transportation, and other essential expenses. 

 

Other Action

Commissioners:

  • Voted to leave the burn ban off.
  • Approved a proclamation recognizing July 21-27 as Pretrial, Probation and Parole Week in Caldwell County.
  • Approved a development agreement for Eden Hills RV Park at 32 Serna Road off FM 672.
  • Approved the preliminary plat for Southern Meadows subdivision, which includes 674 lots on approximately 121 acres at FM 1984 and William Pettus Road.
  • Granted the county judge permission to enter into negotiations with Unified Strategic for IT staffing strategy and governance engagement. The county has been contracting with an IT services provider for its information technology needs since 2022, but Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden said the county’s staff and needs had grown to the point that the eventual return to an in-house IT department could be on the horizon. The judge said the county’s current contract with Unified Strategic had already helped save the county approximately $100,000 in costs that might have occurred had they not hired the company.
  • Approved a hardware maintenance and software license/maintenance and support services agreement between Caldwell County and Elections Systems and Software.

 

 

 


Caldwell County Homeless Coalition to hold grand opening July 11
07/07/2025

The Caldwell County Homeless Coalition is celebrating the grand opening of its new physical office from 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 11.

The office is located at 1205 Blackjack Street in Lockhart. Ice Cream and Light Refreshments will be available. Donations will go toward helping people experiencing homelessness.

The Caldwell County Homeless Coalition works with groups, individuals and organizations with the goal of ensuring no people in the county are without a home. Its activities include counting people experiencing homeless in Caldwell County on a quarterly schedule and providing them with assistance.

The new physical, public-facing office will help the CCHC serve more people and provide them with resources, Caldwell County Victim Service Coordinator Cindy Gonzales said.

"We are also partnering with Delivering Hope in Lockhart, who will also office with us and have a thrift store to help with clothing and household items," she added.

The CCHC holds monthly meetings. Visit the website at homelessincaldwell.com, email them at help@homelessincaldwell.com or call 830-351-4421.

 

County no longer accepting item donations for flood victims
07/07/2025

 

Caldwell County is no longer accepting items at the courthouse for victims of flooding that began in various parts of Central Texas over the July 4 weekend. 

The county thanks all who donated over the past few weeks.

Many distribution centers have stopped accepting items at this point due to an abundance of generosity in the days that immediately followed the floods, although requests for financial aid have continued.

 

Financial donations are being accepted safely and securely at these locations:

  •  Hands Off Central TX is raising funds for mutual aid rapid response for housing, food and medical supplies. 
  • Austin Mutual Aid needs food trucks, AirBnB and home rentals to accommodate families and donations to fund food trucks and provide meals and shelter. 
  • Mindful Rescue is working to provide rescue operations for both people and animals, hot food, hot showers and clean drinking water. Donations will directly fund search and rescue operations, food and water, fuel and supplies.
  • The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has set up the Kerr County Relief Fund. It will direct funds to vetted organizations providing rescue, relief, and recovery efforts as well as flood assistance. The Fund will support the communities of Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Center Point, and Comfort.
  • The Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting donations to the Kerrville Area Rebuilding and Recovery Fund. You will need to register on the website to make an online donation, or you can call them to mail a check. 

 

 

 

WEATHER UPDATE: Flood Watch in effect through 7 p.m. Monday
07/07/2025

Bookmark this post. It will be updated throughout the day.

 

July 7

 

The Flood Watch is back on through 7 p.m. Monday, July 7.

 

There remains a threat of flash flooding from slow moving heavy rains overnight and through the day on Monday somewhere over the watch area, which includes Caldwell County and much of Central Texas. 

 

Two to four inches of additional rainfall, with isolated amounts up to 10 inches, could fall anywhere over the watch area. Rainfall rates will be very intense in the heaviest showers and storms. 

 

Any additional heavy rainfall over hardest hit areas of the past few days will lead to rapid runoff and flash flooding. The public is advised to stay weather aware and to look out for potential flash flood warnings.

 

If you encounter high water while driving today, remember: Turn around, don't drown.

 

 

WEATHER UPDATE: Flood Watch has expired
07/05/2025

 July 6

10 p.m.: The Flood Watch has expired.

7:55: The Flood Watch has been extended through 10 p.m. tonight. 

The messaging from the US National Weather Service Austin-San Antonio Texas remains the same as it has all day. The watch is in place because there is a risk of flooding should excessive rainfall occur tonight. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches with an isolated 10 inches across the central Texas region are possible tonight.

 

Remember, if you encounter high water while driving, turn around, don't drown!

 

 

 

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The flood watch for Caldwell County has been extended until 7 p.m. There is a 30% chance of thunderstorms after 4 p.m.  Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches with isolated 10 inches possible, the US National Weather Service Austin-San Antonio Texas says.

 

Multiple low water crossings throughout the county remain closed. Please do not drive through barricades. See the full list here: https://www.co.caldwell.tx.us/page/article/1165

 

 

July 5

10:30 p.m.: The flood watch has been extended until 1 p.m. Sunday, July 6.

3 p.m.: The flood watch has been extended until 10 p.m. for Caldwell County. 

A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur ...  when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

 

Please exercise caution if you must drive. On average, flooding claims nearly 90 lives each year, according to national statistics.  More than half of these deaths occur in motor vehicles when people attempt to drive through flooded roadways. 

 

It is never safe to drive or walk through flood waters. Any time you come to a flooded road, walkway, or path, follow this simple rule: Turn Around Don’t Drown.

 

 

 

 

July 5

12:05 p.m.: The flash flood warning has been extended until 3 p.m. for southwestern Caldwell County.

 

9:30 AM: 

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Caldwell County that is in effect through noon today.

 

Here is the full report:

 

At 8:56 a.m., Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated  thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

 

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding.

 

SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

 

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...San Marcos, Lockhart, Martindale, Uhland, Mustang Ridge, Niederwald, Brownsboro, Dale, McMahan, Lytton Springs, St. John's Colony, Tilmon, Taylorsville, Mendoza, Maxwell, Delhi, Reedville and San Marcos Regional Airport.

 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe.

 

 

7:30 AM: The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch and a Flood Advisory for Caldwell County as well as much of central Texas.

 

Please stay off the roads as much as possible today and keep an eye on local forecasts. Make sure you are signed up to receive emergency alerts at www.warncentraltexas.org.

 

At 640 a.m., Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. This will cause small stream flooding. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible, with rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches with isolated totals up to 10 inches also possible.

 

Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks.

 

Small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

 

 

All roads have reopened
07/05/2025

All county roads have reopened following the heavy rainfall and resulting flooding risk from the previous weekend. There are no county road closures at this time.

Independence Day holiday schedule
07/02/2025

Caldwell County administrative offices will close at noon Thursday, July 3 and reopen Monday, July 7 in observance of the Independence Day Holiday. Wishing everyone in Caldwell County a safe and happy July 4!