The Caldwell County Commissioners Court voted at its May 13 regular meeting to reinstate the countywide burn ban at the recommendation of Caldwell County Chief EMC Hector Rangel.

Rangel cited recent fires, high winds, several days of upcoming 100-degree-plus temperatures and a lack of rainfall for the next two weeks as reasons for his recommendation.

Outdoor burning is strictly prohibited until further notice.

Caldwell County Commissioners discussed an external financial audit, the burn ban and the addition of a virtual court kiosk at the Veteran Services Office at its May 13, 2025 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, May 27

Commissioners accept external financial audit

Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the Fiscal Year 2024 external financial audit for Caldwell County.

External audits are performed by independent certified public accounting firms and provide assurance to the public, government agencies, and potential lenders that the county's financial data is presented fairly and accurately. 

Armstrong, Vaughan and Associates conducted the county’s external audit and said the county’s financial statements fairly presented its financial position, cash flow and aggregate remaining fund information.

“I’m happy to report your audit is getting better and better,” said Debbie Fraser, director of nonprofits for Armstrong, Vaughan and Associates. “You have done a lot of work to get to where you are from three years ago. I want to thank the county auditor and the county treasurer for their efforts.”

Read the full report here.

Burn ban reinstated

The Caldwell County Commissioners Court voted to reinstate the countywide burn ban at the recommendation of Caldwell County Chief EMC Hector Rangel.

Rangel cited recent fires, high winds, several days of upcoming 100-degree-plus temperatures and a lack of rainfall for the next two weeks as reasons for his recommendation.

Outdoor burning is strictly prohibited until further notice.

Veteran Services Office to get virtual court kiosk

Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding from Texas Legal Services, which is placing a Veteran Connection Center Kiosk in the Caldwell County Veteran Services Office.

The virtual court kiosks may be used by veterans to attend their online court hearings, get free legal help, or find legal information and resources.

The kiosk will be placed at the VSO office at no cost to the county.

Veteran Services Coordinator Sara Love said the kiosk would be placed in a secondary room within the VSO to provide privacy for users.

“This will help us bridge the digital divide,” Love said.

Other Action

Commissioners:

• Approved the preliminary replat of Carpol Subdivision, Lot 4, which includes seven lots on approximately 8.4 acres at Spoke Hollow Road and Political Road.
• Approved the short form plat for Plant Acres, which includes 2 lots on 10.9 acres at Thompson Road and FM 1854.
• Approved a proclamation declaring May 2025 as Caldwell County’s Fair Housing Month.
• Approved a resolution supporting the county’s request for unclaimed property capital credits. Electric cooperatives that have lost contact with a previous customer sometimes report capital credits to the Comptroller’s office as unclaimed property. Texas law allows counties to claim a portion of unclaimed capital credits originating from their county and use them for specific programs, including economic development, arts, and education.
• Authorized the County Judge to sign and execute a proposal from MarmonMok Architecture for facility programming and concept design services. The design firm will work with the county to explore ideas for adding additional office space that could include building a new facility or adding offices within the Caldwell County Justice Center.
• Approved the final draft and solicitation for design and planning consultants regarding the 2024 Road Bond. The request for qualifications (RFQ) pertains to building the county’s pool of engineers before work begins.
• Approved a deposit to Good Neighbor Lawn and Landscaping for tree trimming, lawn and landscaping work at the Caldwell County Courthouse.
• Approved a resolution regarding the county’s civil rights policies, which are required to receive awards through the Texas General Land Office Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation Method of Distribution Program.

These are a summary of highlights of the May 13, 2025 Commissioners Court Meeting. Full agendas and official minutes of the meetings are available on the Agenda, Minutes and Video page.

Community Science: “Community Science" means the public contributes to scientific knowledge and understanding by participating in projects, collecting data, and sharing information to help better understand environmental concerns happening in their communities.

Air quality sensors are one tool that community members can use to Stay Air Aware by monitoring the air quality in their area. Air Central Texas provides FREE PurpleAir sensors through the Be Air Smart program to qualifying partners. 

You can sign up for a free air sensor here: https://aircentraltexas.org/en/about/be-air-smart

Urban Heat Resilience: Urban heat refers to extreme heat within urban areas where buildings, roads, and paved surfaces absorb and re-emit the sun's heat more than natural landscapes, leading to the formation of high-temperature pockets referred to as urban heat islands.

This heat island effect can also lead to an increase of air pollution emissions due to higher energy demands to cool urban areas off.

You can help reduce heat islands by:

• Increasing trees and vegetation - learn simple and effective ways plants can cool the environment
  
• Creating green roofs - explore green roofs as a proven method to reduce heat islands and achieve cost-effective benefits
  
• Installing cool roofs - find what cool roofs are, how they work to reduce heat islands, and other benefits
  
• Using cool pavement - learn how cities are using cool pavements and emerging technologies as heat island reduction measures
  
• Adapting to heat - find ways communities can effectively plan and adapt to heat
  
• Following smart growth principles - learn the principles to make communities more attractive, livable, and economically vibrant

Learn more about heat islands at: https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/what-are-heat-islands

Knowing Your Air: "Knowing Your Air" means getting familiar with the resources that help you stay aware of the air quality in your region. CAPCOG has both particulate matter (PM) and ozone monitors in Central Texas and there are many PurpleAir sensors set up as well.

 Warn Central Texas provides emergency alerts for natural and man-made disasters (including those that can impact air quality).

 Air Central Texas Alerts provide email alerts for days when PM or ozone are forecast to reach levels "unhealthy for sensitive groups."

You can also track your Air Quality Index (or AQI) at AirNow.

Asthma and Health: Did you know that May is Asthma Awareness Month? It's a great time to educate friends, family, and patients about asthma and other illnesses caused by air pollution.

 Air pollution affects groups differently. Children, the elderly, pregnant people, and people with cardiac and pulmonary diseases are particularly sensitive to ozone and particulate matter (PM). 

Knowing the Air Quality Index can be helpful if you're in a sensitive group.

Like the weather, a forecast is created for the Air Quality Index for the next few days. You can see the current AQI forecasts at AirNow.gov when you input your location or through the TCEQ to see the forecast for Texas regions. The forecast is helpful so that you can plan accordingly if you're sensitive to poor air quality.

You can go here to see the AQI for your zip code.

Learn more about air quality and health here.

Wildland Fires and Smoke:  While everyone can be impacted by wildland fire smoke, healthy people are usually not at a major risk from wildland fire smoke.

However, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, and people who are more likely to be exposed are at increased risk of experiencing health effects.

If you are at increased risk from wildland fire smoke, you are also at increased risk from extreme heat. Symptoms may include burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis.

You can stay up to date on wildland fires by visiting AirNow's interactive Fire and Smoke Map, which provides fire locations, smoke plumes, near real-time air quality and protective actions to take.

The Caldwell County Pct. 2 Constable’s Office is teaming up to collect box fans for our elderly and low-income neighbors who need relief from the dangerous Texas heat. 

The Operation Heat Shield drive will continue through June 7. For more information, call Pct. 2 Constable Paul Easterling at (512) 359-4711.

Here’s how to jump in and make an impact:

Donate a fan! Stop by Apple Lumber and grab a fan for just $30 (special discounted price for the drive), or pick one up at any store and drop it off at:

• Apple Lumber
• Luling Tire Service
• Constable’s Office, Pct. 2

Want to go big? Donate two, five, or ten—whatever you feel inspired to do. Every single fan helps shield a household from the heat!

Spread the word! Don’t keep this mission to yourself. Rally others to join the cause. Let’s show what Caldwell County can do when we come together. The heat is on—but so are we!

Caldwell County's Courthouse administrative offices will be closing at noon tomorrow, May 2, to allow for reduced parking and other logistics related to setting up the downtown square for this weekend's Cinco de Mayo festivities. We'll see you Monday morning!