County approves bond purchase

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

Caldwell County is one step closer to the construction of an expanded jail facility.
During their regular meeting on Monday morning, the Caldwell County Commissioners discussed awarding Certificates of Obligation of nearly $5.7 million to defray the costs of the design and construction of the Caldwell County Jail Annex P

roject, which should break ground later this year.
After months of struggling with jail overcrowding, and finally facing fire from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, the Commissioner”s “bit the bullet” this spring and decided to purchase certificates of obligation (COs) to fund the project. At the time, COs were the only viable option for the construction.
Grudgingly, but out of necessity rather than face the possible closing of the jail, the Court opted to purchase the COs, for which they will have to levy taxes beginning next fiscal year.
According to representatives from First Southwest Company, the County”s financial advisors, the COs should be closed and proceeds delivered by mid-August.
In other business, the Commissioners considered a proposal from members of Chisholm Trail Fire Rescue regarding the creation of an Emergency Services District.
Currently, Chisholm Trail Fire Rescue (CTFR) services a district that encompasses more than 117 square miles in northern Caldwell County. Effectively, CTFR is the only Caldwell County emergency response team north of the City of Lockhart, servicing the Lytton Springs, Neiderwald and Uhland areas.
Since February 2007, representatives of CTFR have been working to create Hays-Caldwell County Emergency Services District No. 1, a taxing entity which will allow the department to levy taxes to help pay for the costs of maintaining fire and rescue services.
The Court approved the petition as it was submitted, and will begin making plans to send the resolution before voters in the Nov. 6, 2007 election.
A similar measure introduced by the Mid-County and McMahan Volunteer Fire Departments was defeated by that area”s voters in May.
In brief news:
The Commissioners opted to allow the county to continue without an outdoor burning ban.
They approved a contract with Galbraith”s Clocks of Austin for maintenance of the Courthouse Clock. Galbraith has held the maintenance contract for the last year.
The Court approved variances for three county property owners to sell subdivide tracts of property.
Veterans Service Officer Larry Corpus was recognized for his contributions, not only to the American Legions of Caldwell County, but also for his participation with First-Lockhart National Bank in the Watermelon Thump and Chisholm Trail Roundup Parades.
The county paid bills in the amount of $32,683.51
The Caldwell County Commissioners Court meets on the second, third and fourth Monday of each month at 9 a.m. in Room 100 of the Caldwell County Courthouse. Meetings are open to the public, and the public is encouraged to attend.