Wilson County commissioners approve rodeo proclamation, monthly downtown markets, variances and development plan; burn ban left in place

Wilson County Commissioners Court approved a proclamation recognizing the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, granted permission for recurring downtown markets on courthouse grounds, approved a nonstandard variance and a mobile-home-park infrastructure plan, accepted the treasurer's financial and investment reports, and authorized payment of $331,251.27 in county bills. The court also heard the sheriff's monthly report and personnel updates. Court members took no action to lift the county burn ban, which remains in effect and will be revisited at a February meeting.

The court unanimously passed a proclamation recognizing the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo and designating Feb. 6, 2025, as an official dress Western day for the county. Don (Mr.) Barnett, speaking for the organization during the meeting, said the show "hosts over 24,000 entries by students" and that the organization has committed roughly "$267,000,000" to youth programs since its inception, with about "$12,000,000 committed in 2024 impacting 18,000 students." The court's motion to adopt the proclamation passed after a motion by Commissioner King and a second by Commissioner Martin; vocal ayes were recorded.

The court approved a request from the Floresville Economic Development Corporation (FEDC), represented by Christa Scott of Vanilla Moon Marketing, to use courthouse property for monthly downtown markets on the second Saturday of selected months beginning Feb. 8, 2025. Approved dates for 2025 are Feb. 8, March 8, April 12, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13; 2026 tentative dates presented and approved were Feb. 14, March 14, April 11, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. Commissioners imposed conditions discussed in the meeting: vendors should not drive spikes into the lawn because of a recently installed irrigation system; vendors will be placed primarily in the street rather than on the courthouse lawn; the larger parking lot at the site would be used only if the event exceeds roughly 100 vendors and about 10 food trucks; and the clerk's office will record the dates so other event organizers know the courthouse grounds are reserved. Commissioner Martin made the motion to allow use of the property; Commissioner King seconded it, and the motion passed.

On land-use matters, the court approved a nonstandard-plats variance for property on Blackjack Road (Precinct 3) brought by the Wildenstein family; the motion was made by Commissioner Perdola and seconded by Commissioner Keane. The court also reviewed and approved an infrastructure development plan and a road maintenance agreement for Kaufman Springs Mobile Home Park. Developer Neil Baker of Omega Springs Properties told the court his company will own the land and the proposed homes and rent them; the court's approval was moved by Commissioner Perdola and seconded by Commissioner Aiken.

The court received its regular sheriff's office monthly report for December, which Sheriff Jim Stewart presented. Stewart reported 538 reportable calls for the month, 1,450 nonreportable calls and a total of 1,988 calls for December; he provided year-to-date arrest and seizure figures and noted narcotics seizures (including methamphetamine and THC oil quantities). No specific county action followed the report.

County Treasurer Christina Moose presented the December monthly financial report and the quarterly investment report. The court voted to accept the treasurer's reports; Commissioner Martin moved to accept and Commissioner Egan seconded. The treasurer explained that interest from the TexPool investment is routed into the county's general fund and that she would add an asterisk on the quarterly report to clarify that presentation.

The court approved county bills totaling $331,251.27 on a motion by Commissioner King, seconded by Commissioner Martin. Human-resources staff reported one new hire for the sheriff's department (Patrol Deputy Lorenzo Pada, effective Jan. 22) and one resignation (corrections officer Michael Ochoa, effective Jan. 30).

On the burn ban, Emergency Management Coordinator Cindy Stafford (represented in the meeting by Kenneth Miller) presented current Keetch-Byram Drought Index figures and summaries from fire chiefs. Staff reported that recent freezes have reduced fine fuels but that responding chiefs recommended leaving the ban in place. The court noted the current order will expire automatically on Feb. 25 if not extended and agreed to revisit the matter at the court's February meeting; no motion to lift the ban was made.

Motions and votes recorded in the meeting minutes were unanimous vocal approvals for the items above, with motions and seconds given by named commissioners and vocal "ayes" recorded for the roll calls. No contested votes or dissents were recorded in the transcript.