What happened: The Midland County Commissioners Court met on Tuesday, March 17, and approved adding 10 acres at the Horseshoe into its rental inventory for events and storage use, joined a Midland Health-led initiative targeting issues like mental health and diabetes, accepted a 74-acre land donation from Chevron for the future expansion of County Road 160, and approved additional fuel funding for three constables.

Key points:

  • Horseshoe Arena: The court approved adding 10 acres of undeveloped land west of the Horseshoe’s southwest parking lot into its rental inventory, allowing the county to market the space for events or storage. The land would have been part of the $43 million Horseshoe Trails Park, but that plan is no longer advancing. The Horseshoe Director said the additional acreage could help meet demand for higher-capacity events.

He said the amphitheater currently has a capacity of 4,500 and cannot accommodate larger festivals despite having sufficient parking. Potential renters have already expressed interest and may fund site clearing themselves. The court will set rental pricing in a future action, and both short-term and long-term agreements will require court approval.

Commissioners also approved $19,352 in electrical work to support the installation of new video walls at the Horseshoe Pavilion. The upgrade will replace the existing projector system and enhance the facility’s event capabilities.

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  • Health initiative: Midland Health presented findings from its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment and asked the county to join a multi-agency effort to address nine priority issues, including mental health, diabetes, substance use, and access to care.

The assessment found that Midland County has 104.7 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, below the state’s 178.3 and the national rate of 315.3. Diabetes rates are also higher locally, at 18.2%, compared to 12.7% statewide. The leading causes of death in Midland County are heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.

The initiative does not require funding but relies on coordinated outreach across partners such as the city, MISD, Midland College, and the county. Commissioners approved participation, allowed Midland Health to use the county seal, and appointed a county representative to serve on the initiative committee.

  • Library accreditation: The court approved the Midland County Public Library’s annual accreditation application with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Accreditation allows access to state funding and loan programs. The library must finalize two requirements, a long-range strategic plan and staffing qualifications, by July 31 to maintain eligibility.
  • Constable fuel funding: Commissioners approved additional fuel funding from contingency for three constables. Precinct 2 Constable Scott Casbeer and Precinct 3 Constable Jerry Cook each requested $2,000, while Precinct 4 Constable Jamie Hall requested $2,500.

Commissioner Charles Hall, Constable Hall’s father, initially motioned to approve $3,000 for each constable, with Commissioner Steven Villela seconding. Judge Terry Johnson questioned why the court would exceed the requested amounts, and after the motion failed, Anderson moved to approve the amounts requested by each constable. Villela seconded, and the item passed unanimously.

  • Land donation: The court accepted a 74-acre land donation from Chevron for the right-of-way needed to expand County Road 160. The future project would connect FM 1788 to South County Road 1232, improving traffic flow and creating an additional corridor near the Midland International Air & Space Port.