Caldwell County commissioners approve $2.1 million SIB loan for US 183 work, sign multiple plats, budgets and resolutions

Caldwell County Commissioners Court on June 28 approved a $2,106,600 State Infrastructure Bank loan agreement to fund construction and safety improvements on U.S. 183 and took a string of related routine actions, including final plats, budget amendments and administrative policies.

The court voted to accept the SIB loan agreement, which the staff said will fund work on US 183 including a turn lane and a deceleration lane. The resolution authorizes the county judge to execute the loan documents and contemplates repayment over a term not to exceed 20 years.

Why it matters: county staff told the court the SIB loan will provide up-front financing for a highway safety project that county officials say supports continued growth in the region and aids freight movement through the Austin–San Antonio corridor.

In other votes the court approved final plats for the Bollinger Subdivision—Phase 1 (44 residential lots on about 12.09 acres) and Phase 2 (110 lots on about 21.65 acres)—and adopted the 2024 Caldwell County Transportation Plan after prior presentations and review with CAMPO staff.

The court also passed Resolution 18-2024 expressing support for SH 130 Concession Company and urging the county’s legislative delegation to allow the Texas Department of Transportation to amend its agreement with SH 130 Concession Company to assist funding non-tolled transportation infrastructure adjacent to SH 130.

On county finances, commissioners adopted a modest proposed 2025 appraisal district collections budget; approved a new outstanding check policy to reconcile uncashed checks and move truly unclaimed funds into the county’s unclaimed funds; and approved three budget amendments: one to transfer $100,139.44 from contingency to cover Luling EMS invoicing, one to move $75,000 within jail accounts to cover inmate medical services with Southern Health Partners, and a transfer of $100,000 from subdivision fees to professional services to cover expected overages on the Doucet contract.

Staff also received approval for two procurement change orders—a $100,000 change order on PO #02852 once funds are moved, and a $150,000 addition to Ergon PO #02633 to cover seal-coating work—and for a selection committee and revised award date for RFQ24CCP01Q, the courthouse master plan RFQ. County staff said the selection committee will include County Judge Hoppy Hayden, Executive Assistant Ezzy Chan, Grants Administrator Amber Quindley, County Auditor Danny Telto and Building Maintenance Supervisor Curtis Weber, and the anticipated award date was moved from July 9 to July 23 to give reviewers more time.

Public comment: Nancy Riedel, a Caldwell County resident of more than 40 years, raised a private-road dispute, saying she had been harassed and that a road’s ownership appeared unclear in title-company closings; she told the court she has retained paperwork dating to 1983. The court took no formal action on the comment during the meeting.

On fire safety, County staff member Hector reported recent low fire activity but rising dryness and recommended keeping the burn ban off for two more weeks; the court approved that recommendation.

Executive session and next steps: the court recessed into executive session to consult with counsel on pending or contemplated litigation involving Bridal Carrera and WJC Constructors, LLC and to deliberate on economic development negotiations tied to Project Wingspan and Project Sandia; after the closed session the court reported no action taken on those items. The court adjourned and scheduled a short break before a 10 a.m. budget workshop.

Votes at a glance: the court recorded motions, seconds and unanimous approvals for the consent agenda; final plats for Bollinger Subdivision Phase 1 and Phase 2; adoption of the 2024 transportation plan; Resolution 17-2024 (SIB loan, $2,106,600); Resolution 18-2024 (SH 130 support); the 2025 appraisal district budget; the mass-gathering permit packet; outstanding check policy; budget amendments 18, 19 and 20; change orders for PO #02852 and Ergon PO #02633; appointment of the RFQ evaluation committee and changing the RFQ award date to July 23. Where a dollar amount or contract number was discussed, it is reported as stated by staff.

Quotations from the meeting include staff reporting that cybersecurity compliance across county staff was “at 91%,” and Hector saying, “I recommend that we keep the burn ban off another 2 weeks.” Resident Nancy Riedel told the court she had “sent an email to the president and CEO” about a waste-disposal/road maintenance concern and that she has retained legal paperwork relevant to her private-road dispute.

The court took no public action following its executive session; items discussed in closed session were reported as "no action taken."