County imposes burn ban

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

After a fast-moving grass fire destroyed more than 65 acres last week, the Caldwell County Firefighters Association approached the County Commissioners on Monday and asked that a burn ban be instituted.
Jeff Wright, speaking on behalf of the association said that the county”s rating for wildfires is in the “high” range.<
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“We”re not in the extreme category yet, but we”re headed that way,” he said.
The request prompted the Commissioners to approve an order declaring a state of disaster under the Texas Disaster Act of 1975, instituting a burn ban until there is a change in the dry summer weather conditions, or until the Court rescinds the order.
The order further stated that the burn ban will be placed on the agenda for each Commissioners” Court session until it is rescinded.
After passing the burn ban, the Commissioners discussed regulating fireworks. Because of the normal dangers that exist in the county, along with the drought conditions indicated with the burn ban, the Court agreed to sign an order placing restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks within Caldwell County.
According to the order, the sale or use of “restricted fireworks” within Caldwell county will be illegal. Those items under the ban include aerial and rocket-propelled fireworks such as bottle rockets. The sale or use of these items in the unincorporated areas of Caldwell County will be prosecuted as a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.
The Court heard a monthly report on indigent health care expenses. County Judge H.T. Wright estimates that the total for this year”s indigent health care spending would be between $310,000 and $315,000, depending on whether additional catastrophic cases crop up. Currently, at least two cancer patients are receiving indigent health care benefits. However, Wright also said that the new prescription program is saving the county around $3,000 each month.
Discussion began about the disposition of the old flagpole from the Courthouse lawn, which was replaced by the Flag Parade project. Commissioner Tom Bonn suggested that the pole be moved and reerected at the Scott Annex building.
No decision was made about the flagpole, but Wright assured that it would be removed from the Courthouse lawn.
In brief Court news:
The Commissioners approved four requests for variances, allowing several county property owners to subdivide their properties.
They heard information from regarding the County”s depository contracts. First-Lockhart National Bank offered the county a higher interest rate on existing deposits. The contract will be in place for four years.
Caldwell County renewed the lease on the Department of Human Services office building in Luling.
The Court paid bills in the amount of $196,261.47. Of this amount, $9,585 was applied to inmate housing, $8,863 for indigent healthcare and $19,240 for indigent legal defense.

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

After a fast-moving grass fire destroyed more than 65 acres last week, the Caldwell County Firefighters Association approached the County Commissioners on Monday and asked that a burn ban be instituted.
Jeff Wright, speaking on behalf of the association said that the county”s rating for wildfires is in the “high” range.
“We”re not in the extreme category yet, but we”re headed that way,” he said.
The request prompted the Commissioners to approve an order declaring a state of disaster under the Texas Disaster Act of 1975, instituting a burn ban until there is a change in the dry summer weather conditions, or until the Court rescinds the order.
The order further stated that the burn ban will be placed on the agenda for each Commissioners” Court session until it is rescinded.
After passing the burn ban, the Commissioners discussed regulating fireworks. Because of the normal dangers that exist in the county, along with the drought conditions indicated with the burn ban, the Court agreed to sign an order placing restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks within Caldwell County.
According to the order, the sale or use of “restricted fireworks” within Caldwell county will be illegal. Those items under the ban include aerial and rocket-propelled fireworks such as bottle rockets. The sale or use of these items in the unincorporated areas of Caldwell County will be prosecuted as a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.
The Court heard a monthly report on indigent health care expenses. County Judge H.T. Wright estimates that the total for this year”s indigent health care spending would be between $310,000 and $315,000, depending on whether additional catastrophic cases crop up. Currently, at least two cancer patients are receiving indigent health care benefits. However, Wright also said that the new prescription program is saving the county around $3,000 each month.
Discussion began about the disposition of the old flagpole from the Courthouse lawn, which was replaced by the Flag Parade project. Commissioner Tom Bonn suggested that the pole be moved and reerected at the Scott Annex building.
No decision was made about the flagpole, but Wright assured that it would be removed from the Courthouse lawn.
In brief Court news:
The Commissioners approved four requests for variances, allowing several county property owners to subdivide their properties.
They heard information from regarding the County”s depository contracts. First-Lockhart National Bank offered the county a higher interest rate on existing deposits. The contract will be in place for four years.
Caldwell County renewed the lease on the Department of Human Services office building in Luling.
The Court paid bills in the amount of $196,261.47. Of this amount, $9,585 was applied to inmate housing, $8,863 for indigent healthcare and $19,240 for indigent legal defense.

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

After a fast-moving grass fire destroyed more than 65 acres last week, the Caldwell County Firefighters Association approached the County Commissioners on Monday and asked that a burn ban be instituted.
Jeff Wright, speaking on behalf of the association said that the county”s rating for wildfires is in the “high” range.
“We”re not in the extreme category yet, but we”re headed that way,” he said.
The request prompted the Commissioners to approve an order declaring a state of disaster under the Texas Disaster Act of 1975, instituting a burn ban until there is a change in the dry summer weather conditions, or until the Court rescinds the order.
The order further stated that the burn ban will be placed on the agenda for each Commissioners” Court session until it is rescinded.
After passing the burn ban, the Commissioners discussed regulating fireworks. Because of the normal dangers that exist in the county, along with the drought conditions indicated with the burn ban, the Court agreed to sign an order placing restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks within Caldwell County.
According to the order, the sale or use of “restricted fireworks” within Caldwell county will be illegal. Those items under the ban include aerial and rocket-propelled fireworks such as bottle rockets. The sale or use of these items in the unincorporated areas of Caldwell County will be prosecuted as a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.
The Court heard a monthly report on indigent health care expenses. County Judge H.T. Wright estimates that the total for this year”s indigent health care spending would be between $310,000 and $315,000, depending on whether additional catastrophic cases crop up. Currently, at least two cancer patients are receiving indigent health care benefits. However, Wright also said that the new prescription program is saving the county around $3,000 each month.
Discussion began about the disposition of the old flagpole from the Courthouse lawn, which was replaced by the Flag Parade project. Commissioner Tom Bonn suggested that the pole be moved and reerected at the Scott Annex building.
No decision was made about the flagpole, but Wright assured that it would be removed from the Courthouse lawn.
In brief Court news:
The Commissioners approved four requests for variances, allowing several county property owners to subdivide their properties.
They heard information from regarding the County”s depository contracts. First-Lockhart National Bank offered the county a higher interest rate on existing deposits. The contract will be in place for four years.
Caldwell County renewed the lease on the Department of Human Services office building in Luling.
The Court paid bills in the amount of $196,261.47. Of this amount, $9,585 was applied to inmate housing, $8,863 for indigent healthcare and $19,240 for indigent legal defense.