Caldwell County
February 12, 2026
Progressive Perspective
This meeting's budget items and land use decisions will significantly impact Caldwell County's working families and vulnerable populations. Of particular concern are the discussions around economic development, reinvestment zones, and potential changes to the hotel occupancy tax, all of which must be scrutinized for their effects on equity, affordability, and public services.
What Progressives Should Watch
- The public hearing on the reinvestment zone designation is crucial; residents must ensure it benefits the community and doesn't displace vulnerable populations.
- The approval of plats for new developments requires careful consideration to ensure affordable housing options and sustainable development practices are prioritized.
- Grant applications for public safety, including body-worn cameras and rural ambulance services, should be evaluated for their impact on community safety and equitable access to services.
- The discussion of a potential hotel occupancy tax change warrants scrutiny to understand its impact on county revenue and whether it will benefit public services or private interests.
- The recognition of Black History Month should be followed by concrete actions promoting racial equity and inclusion in county policies and practices.
Executive Summary
The Commissioners Court will consider routine financial matters, including invoices and payroll. They will also address land use issues, including plats and zoning, and discuss economic development. A public hearing is scheduled for the designation of a reinvestment zone. They will also consider several resolutions and grant applications related to public safety, infrastructure, and health.
Constituent Highlights
- The meeting will include a public hearing on the proposed designation of a reinvestment zone.
- Several plats for new developments will be discussed.
- The Commissioners will consider grant applications that may bring funding to the county for items such as body-worn cameras and rural ambulance service.
- The Court will recognize Black History Month with a proclamation.
Official Highlights
- Significant budget items, including invoices and payroll payments, will be approved.
- The Court will deliberate on several development agreements and zoning matters that may have long-term impacts on the county.
- The Court will consider a possible change to the hotel occupancy tax.
- The Court will discuss a potential county burn ban.
- Economic development negotiations will be discussed in executive session.
Conservative Perspective
Caldwell County Commissioners will vote on significant expenditures, including payroll and invoices, which directly impact taxpayers. The meeting includes land use discussions and economic development initiatives, where conservative principles of limited government and economic freedom should be prioritized.
What Conservatives Should Watch
- The meeting includes approval of substantial county payroll and invoice payments totaling over $1.65 million, requiring careful scrutiny of spending efficiency.
- A public hearing will address the designation of a reinvestment zone, an item that necessitates examination of potential tax implications and impact on individual property rights.
- Discussions on development agreements and zoning matters demand evaluation of how these decisions affect property owners and the potential for regulatory overreach.
- Consideration of grant applications for public safety, such as body-worn cameras and rural ambulance services, should be assessed for fiscal prudence and the extent to which they align with local control and individual liberty.
- The potential county burn ban discussion will be analyzed for the impacts on landowners and small businesses.
Resumen Ejecutivo
La Corte de Comisionados considerará asuntos financieros de rutina, incluyendo facturas y nómina. También abordarán cuestiones de uso de la tierra, incluyendo planos y zonificación, y discutirán el desarrollo económico. Se ha programado una audiencia pública para la designación de una zona de reinversión. También considerarán varias resoluciones y solicitudes de subvención relacionadas con la seguridad pública, la infraestructura y la salud.
Puntos Destacados
- La reunión incluirá una audiencia pública sobre la propuesta de designación de una zona de reinversión.
- Se discutirán varios planos para nuevos desarrollos.
- Los Comisionados considerarán solicitudes de subvención que pueden aportar fondos al condado para artículos como cámaras corporales y servicios de ambulancia rurales.
- La Corte reconocerá el Mes de la Historia Afroamericana con una proclamación.
Agenda Items
| ID | Section | Description | Cost | Speaker | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F.1 | consent | Approve County Invoices and Purchase Orders | $600,052.98 | budget | |
| F.2 | consent | Approve County Payroll Payment | $523,007.85 | budget personnel | |
| F.3 | consent | Approve County Payroll Tax Payment | $153,955.82 | budget personnel | |
| F.4 | consent | Approve County Payroll Payment | $528,942.81 | budget personnel | |
| F.5 | consent | Approve County Payroll Tax Payment | $155,564.79 | budget personnel | |
| F.6 | consent | Accept August 2025 Amended Comptroller Payment | $65.00 | budget | |
| F.7 | consent | Accept September 2025 Amended Payment | $1,350.00 | budget | |
| F.8 | consent | Accept October 2025 Amended Comptroller Payment | $1,710.00 | budget | |
| F.9 | consent | Accept November 2025 Amended Payment | $845.00 | budget | |
| F.10 | consent | Accept December 2025 Amended Payment | $1,265.00 | budget | |
| F.11 | consent | Ratify Check for Home Renovations for Veterans | $2,475.00 | public-safety | |
| F.12 | consent | Accept January 2026 Indigent Burial Report | health | ||
| F.13 | consent | Accept Constable PCT. 1 January 2026 Report | public-safety | ||
| F.14 | consent | Accept Constable PCT. 4 January 2026 Report | public-safety | ||
| F.15 | consent | Accept Sheriff's 2025 Racial Profiling Report | public-safety transparency | ||
| F.16 | consent | Accept Constable PCT. 3 2025 Racial Profiling Report | public-safety transparency | ||
| G.1 | discussion | Discuss Wild Roots Getaways Development | Commissioner Horne/Rachel Hartzler/Joe and Mona Elliott/Tracy Bratton | economic-development land-use | |
| H.1 | public_hearing | Hearing on Caldwell 142 Reinvestment Zone #1 | economic-development land-use | ||
| I.1 | discussion/action items | Approve Minutes for January 22, 2026 Meeting | Judge Haden/Teresa Rodriguez | transparency | |
| I.2 | discussion/action items | Action: Caldwell 142 Reinvestment Zone #1 | Judge Haden/Richard Sitton | economic-development land-use | |
| I.3 | discussion/action items | Juniper Springs Development Agreement Amendment | Commissioner Westmoreland/Tracy Bratton | economic-development land-use | |
| I.4 | discussion/action items | Preliminary Plat for Tenney Creek Estates | Commissioner Horne/Kasi Miles | land-use | |
| I.5 | discussion/action items | Variance Request on FM 713 | Commissioner Horne/James Garon/Ben Williams/Tracy Bratton | land-use | |
| I.6 | discussion/action items | Final Plat for Sunset Acres | Commissioner Horne/Kasi Miles | land-use | |
| I.7 | discussion/action items | Short Form Plat for Bob White Subdivision | Commissioner Theriot/Kasi Miles | land-use | |
| I.8 | discussion/action items | Proclamation: Black History Month | Judge Haden/Commissioner Thomas | education | |
| I.9 | discussion/action items | Proclamation for Caldwell County Progressive Club | Judge Haden/Commissioner Thomas | public-safety | |
| I.10 | discussion/action items | Proclamation for Vessie Davis Tutt's 100th Birthday | Judge Haden/Commissioner Thomas | public-safety | |
| I.11 | discussion/action items | Resolution: Exempt from Hotel Occupancy Tax | Judge Haden/Richard Sitton | budget legal | |
| I.12 | discussion/action items | Fee for Vehicle Inspections | Judge Haden/Paul Easterling | transportation legal public-safety | |
| I.13 | discussion/action items | Caldwell County Burn Ban | Judge Haden/Hector Rangel | public-safety environment | |
| I.14 | discussion/action items | Budget Amendment | $5,739.25 | Judge Haden/Danie Teltow | budget |
| I.15 | discussion/action items | Payment for Card Service Balance | $5,739.25 | Judge Haden/Dominique Esquivel | budget |
| I.16 | discussion/action items | Final Draft for Restroom/Lavatory Remodel | Judge Haden/Dominique Esquivel | infrastructure | |
| I.17 | discussion/action items | Resolution: Body-Worn Camera Grant | $24,836.60 | Judge Haden/Amber Quinley | technology public-safety |
| I.18 | discussion/action items | Resolution: Drainage Plan | Judge Haden/Amber Quinley | infrastructure environment | |
| I.19 | discussion/action items | Resolution: Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant | Judge Haden/Amber Quinley | public-safety | |
| I.20 | discussion/action items | HB 3000 Rural Ambulance Service Grant | Judge Haden/Amber Quinley/Cean Charles | health | |
| I.21 | discussion/action items | Updates on Project Bumble Bee Negotiations | Judge Haden | economic-development | |
| J.1 | executive_session | Executive Session: Project Bumble Bee | economic-development |
Major Expenditures
| Item | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F.1 | $600,052.98 | County Invoices and Purchase Orders |
| F.2 | $523,007.85 | County Payroll Payment (12/28/2025-01/10/2026) |
| F.4 | $528,942.81 | County Payroll Payment (01/11/2026-01/24/2026) |
Total: $1,785,942.33
Glossary
- TIRZ
- Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone — a designated area where property tax revenue increases are used to fund improvements within that zone
- RFB
- Request for Bid
- ESD
- Emergency Services District
- FME
- Flood Management Evaluation
- FIF
- Flood Infrastructure Fund
- OOG
- Office of the Governor
- PSO
- Public Safety Office
- VTR
- Vehicle Title and Registration