Burleson County commissioners adopt FEMA mitigation plan, allocate ARPA to revenue‑loss standard allowance and approve routine permits

Judge Pro‑Tem David Hildebrand called the Burleson County Commissioners Court to order March 14 in Caldwell and led the pledge to the American and Texas flags. Reverend Dennis Bonnet offered a prayer before the court moved into routine business.

The court unanimously approved a resolution adopting the FEMA‑approved Burleson County Multi‑Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan, formalizing the county’s acceptance of the federal plan as its local mitigation framework. Commissioner Carol Hill moved the resolution, which Commissioner Vincent Svec seconded.

The meeting also included a staffing update from the sheriff’s office. Chief Pollack reported, "they have 2 vacancies in Patrol and 1 in Jail and 2 in Dispatch with 1 resignation pending," and Captain Smith reported the jail population at 51, with one male from Milam County. Deputy Shawn Edwards introduced Nikki Jamal as the county’s new pre‑trial mental health caseworker.

On financial and federal relief matters, the court voted unanimously to allocate Burleson County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA/SLFRF) award to the "Standard Allowance" category for revenue loss reporting. The allocation determines how the county will report its use of ARPA funds under federal guidance.

The court approved multiple routine items on unanimous votes, including:
- Acceptance of donations: $2,900 from the Caldwell Rotary Club for the sheriff and $6,050 for Caldwell motel fire victims on behalf of Burleson Health Resource Center.
- Approval of a reserve deputy for Constable Precinct 3 and acceptance of the Constable Precinct 3 racial profiling report.
- Issuance of special road‑use permits for Hawkwood Energy Operating LLC and approval of a Chili Fest mass gathering permit.
- Authorization of no‑dump permits for Earth Week and action on TCEQ rule changes presented by Robbie Myers (TCEQ is the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality).
- Approval of a subdivision on County Road 415 and subdivision exceptions for properties on FM 2000 (James Cross) and Hwy 36 (Tyler Groce).

Personnel and financial details approved included continuing certificate/bond renewal for Reserve Deputy Constable Precinct 1 William Randall Hart and a compensatory‑time payout to dispatchers totaling $2,115.99 for 112.5 hours attributed to a systems outage. The court also authorized issuance of Requests for Qualifications for a development engineer and a competitive‑bidding exemption under Local Government Code 262.024(a)(4).

In reports, the county auditor recorded hotel tax collections of $9,433 for the last quarter of 2021. Commissioner Vincent Svec said CTIF roads have been milled and are ready for stabilizing and seal coating in two to three weeks. Judge Pro‑Tem Hildebrand announced that County Road 316 would be closed March 14–18 for milling and stabilization in advance of seal coating. Commissioner Carol Hill said culvert replacements in Birch Creek Village are proceeding through TxDOT’s Equivalent Match Program.

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (minutes and donations): Approved (motion: Commissioner Vincent Svec; second: Commissioner Carol Hill). Vote: 4–0.
- Resolution adopting FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan: Approved (motion: Commissioner Carol Hill). Vote: 4–0.
- Resolution establishing polling places for May 7, 2022 special election: Approved (motion: Commissioner Dwayne Faust). Vote: 4–0.
- Postpone canvassing March 2022 primary election: Approved (motion: Commissioner Vincent Svec). Vote: 4–0.
- ARPA funds allocated to Standard Allowance: Approved (motion: Commissioner Vincent Svec). Vote: 4–0.
- Compensatory time payout to dispatchers ($2,115.99 for 112.5 hours): Approved. Vote: 4–0.
- RFQ issuance for development engineer and bidding exemption under LGC 262.024(a)(4): Approved. Vote: 4–0.
(Additional routine permits, appointments and payments of bills were approved by unanimous votes; see court minutes for mover/second details.)

The court recessed briefly for an executive session with the county attorney and reconvened the same morning. The meeting concluded after the court authorized payment of bills and adjourned by unanimous vote.

This meeting record contains routine administrative, permitting, personnel and financial decisions; no contested policy proposals or contested votes were recorded in the transcript.