Caldwell County Commissioners approved professional services agreements for design services on Caldwell County Road Bond projects and discussed the burn ban, subdivisions and grant applications at their November 25, 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)
Commissioners OK professional services agreements for three road bond projects
Caldwell County Commissioners approved three more professional services agreements, authorizing firms to begin providing design services on several road, bridge and low water crossing improvement projects that voters approved last year.
Caldwell County joins STEAR program to better serve medically complex individuals
The Caldwell County Office of Emergency Management (CCOEM) is now participating in the Texas Division of Emergency Management's (TDEM) State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) program.
The free program allows medically complex individuals to provide local emergency management planners and responders with information related to their needs during an emergency.
Assistant Chief Deputy EMC Joann Garza-Mayberry shared details of the program with the public during citizens comments.
Commissioners:
Voted to leave the burn ban on, prohibiting all outdoor burning amid persisting dry conditions.
- Approved fireworks sales for the holiday season excluding aerial fireworks with sticks or fins. The order expires Jan. 1, 2026.
- Approved the submission of a grant to the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance – FY 2027 General Assistance Grant Program.
- Approved the final plat for Luna Rosa Subdivision Phase 1, consisting of 241 lots, and Luna Rosa Subdivision Phase 2, consisting of 251 lots. Then two subdivision phases are located on approximately 236 acres on Lytton Lane and Highway 21.
Caldwell County administrative offices will close at noon, Wednesday Nov. 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Offices will reopen on Monday, Dec. 1.
A community feedback session regarding Caldwell County’s 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9 in the second-floor courtroom of the Caldwell County Courthouse, 110 S. Main St. In Lockhart.
Communities with a FEMA-approved plan are eligible for specific grant funding under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Program. Your feedback will help ensure that a plan is developed in a way that will best prepare Caldwell County and its residents for future hazards.
Input from the public will help the planning team, made up of county, city, and special district representatives, identify and analyze potential natural hazards—including flooding, winter storms, and drought—that affect residents and recommend possible actions to reduce their impact throughout the County.
Under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires communities to develop a mitigation plan to minimize or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from known hazards.
Planning and grant consultants will lead the meeting and answer questions from the public.
The plan’s public engagement platform is available to the public at https://langfordplanning.com/caldwell-county-hazard-mitigation-plan or by scanning the QR code.
The Caldwell County Office of Emergency Management (CCOEM) is now participating in the Texas Division of Emergency Management's (TDEM) State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) program.
The free program allows medically complex individuals to provide local emergency management planners and responders with information related to their needs during an emergency.
Who Should Register?
- People with disabilities
- People who are medically fragile
- People with functional needs such as limited mobility, communication barriers
- People who additional medical assistance during an emergency event
- People who require personal care assistance
- People who require transportation assistance
Please note: Registering in STEAR DOES NOT guarantee you will receive a specific service during emergencies.
How to Sign Up
- Scan the QR code in the attached graphic
- Register online at stear.texas.gov
- Call 2-1-1 or use your video phone relay option of choice
The Luling tax office will be closed Monday, Nov. 17. It will reopen Tuesday.
Caldwell County Commissioners approved professional services agreements for design services on Caldwell County Road Bond projects and discussed the burn ban, subdivisions, grant applications and advisory board appointments at their November 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)
Commissioners OK professional services agreements for road bond projects
Caldwell County Commissioners approved multiple professional services agreements, authorizing firms to begin providing design services on several road, bridge and low water crossing improvement projects that voters approved last November.
Professional services agreements approved on Thursday, November 25 included the following firms and projects. These projects can be viewed on an interactive map of the county:
- LJA Engineering, Inc and the City Line Road project in Precinct 1 ($2.6 million)
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Rodriguez Transportation Group and the SH 20 realignment from South Medina Street to South Commerce Street and North Hackberry Avenue, an alternate truck route from SH 80 to East Pierce Street in Precincts 1 and 2 ($3.13 million)
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Doucet & Associates and Bridle Path (US 183 to FM 2984) in Precinct 2 ($1.68 million)
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Halff Associates and Ivy Switch (CR 133) at McNeil Creek in Precinct 2 ($629,000)
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HDR Engineering and the schematic intersection realignments at SH 21 in Precinct 3 and the Luling Transportation Plan Update Project in Precinct 2 ($1.49 million)
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STV Incorporated and the Rocky Road at Brushy Creek bridge replacement project in Precinct 3 ($984,000)
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Garver, LLC and Southeast River Road at Morrison Creek bridge replacement project in Precinct 3 ($687,000)
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Freeland Turk Engineering Group and the Northwest River Road project in Precinct 3 ($203,000)
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Kimley-Horn and Associates and the Old Lytton Springs Road (CR 183) at Dry Creek project in Precincts 3 and 4 ($680,000)
- RS&H Inc and the CR 182 (Dry Creek) at Dry Creek low water crossing and Lytton Lane (CR 174), Barth Road (CR 179), Homannville Trail (CR 179), and Dry Creek (CR 182) projects in Precinct 3 and Precinct 4 ($1.31 million).
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- Voted to leave the burn ban on, prohibiting all outdoor burning amid persisting dry conditions. Chief Emergency Management Coordinator Hector Rangel reminded the public to secure tow chains properly when towing trailers, noting that sparks from chains that were dragging on the pavement had recently caused a 25-acre grass fire in Dale.
- Canvassed the November 2025 election.
- Approved the Caldwell County Appraisal Roll with tax amounts entered by the assessor. Amounts due for the 2025 Tax Roll totaled approximately $28.3 million.
- Reappointed Will Conley and Nicole Stephens to the 2026 CAMPO Technical Advisory Committee.
- Authorized submission of a grant application for the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) FY 2026-2027 Solid Waste Program grant. Potential uses could include future solid waste and tire collection events. The county is eligible for an award up to $40,000.
- Approved the final plat for Lantana Subdivision, Unit 1, which includes 138 lots on about 33 acres off FM 2720.
- Tabled action on a right-of-way license agreement to allow Centex Drainage District to construct an entrance monument and flag poles in the county right-of-way on Lytton Lane for the Luna Rosa Subdivision.
Caldwell County administrative offices will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 11 for Veterans Day, Offices will reopen Wednesday at their regularly scheduled time.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for most of South Central Texas, including Caldwell County, effective tomorrow (Tuesday) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This means critical fire weather conditions are expected. The combination of gusty southerly winds (up to 30 mph), very low humidity (15-25%), and dry grasses will create an environment where new fires can start and spread rapidly.
-Avoid all outdoor burning.
-Keep vehicles and trailers off dry grass.
- Properly discard any smoking materials.
SATURDAY, NOV. 8: Fire Weather Watch upgraded to a Red Flag Warning for all of South
Central Texas Sunday. Wind Advisory in effect for counties along Interstate 35 corridor Sunday
What to Know
- North winds of 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph Sunday morning through Sunday evening
- Minimum relative humidity values to fall as low as 15-20% Sunday afternoon from late morning Sunday through afternoon with the combination of the gusty winds and low humidity
- High to Extreme fire danger and Dry moisture levels across the area
- Any fires that develop could be difficult to control and spread rapidly
- Avoid any outdoor activities that could inadvertently cause wildfires.
Friday, November 7: A Fire Weather Watch for all of South-Central Texas will take effect Sunday morning through Sunday evening. This is due to a combination of strong wind gusts (up to 40 mph) and very dry air (humidity as low as 15-20%).
Please remember that there is a countywide burn ban and all outdoor burning is prohibited. These conditions mean that any fires that start could spread very quickly and become difficult to control. Please be extremely careful and help prevent wildfires!
In addition to observing the burn ban, please:
- Avoid all outdoor burning or activities that create sparks.
- Do not park vehicles on dry grass (a hot engine can easily start a fire).
- Properly discard cigarettes.
Stay safe and stay fire-aware!
Caldwell County is hosting a free community dump day on Saturday, November 15 at the Caldwell County Unit Road Office located at 423 San Marcos Highway in Luling.
The event is free for all residents of Caldwell County. Please bring a government-issued photo ID for proof of residency.
Items will be collected from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. or until capacity is reached.
Most non-household hazardous waste items will be accepted.
Prohibited items include:
- Lead acid batteries
- Sewage
- Used motor oil
- Paint
- Sludge
- Used oil filters
- Grease trap waste
- Whole used or scrap tires
- Grit trap waste
- Refrigerators, freezers, A/C units, or anything with CFCS
- Dead animals and slaughterhouse waste
- Liquid waste from municipal sources
- Bulk or non-containerized liquid waste
- Regulated hazardous waste
- Municipal hazardous waste from conditionally exempt PCB small quantity generators
- Medical waste
- Out-of-state waste
- Contaminated soil exceeding 1.5 PPM or regulated levels per 335.521 (A)(1) Table 1
- Class 1 industrial solid waste (unless it contains only asbestos)
Unofficial early voting and Election Day totals can now be viewed on the Caldwell County Website.
View results.