[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6121416,"mediaKeyId","2702486-579d25aa7cd37d44b6ef7bb3c69761b1","parentId",2702486,"title","Kendall County declines to call ESD No. 1 election after divided public hearing","audioSeconds",9242,"startMs",3931000,"endMs",13173000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2702486-579d25aa7cd37d44b6ef7bb3c69761b1&start=3931&end=13173","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2702486-579d25aa7cd37d44b6ef7bb3c69761b1/thumbnail_3931000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6121416/Kendall-County/Texas/Kendall-County-declines-to-call-ESD-No-1-election-after-divided-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121416-35fe2ee711df276eb84ad579af1314f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770814898&Signature=f8zyIsT7BWDx2stM7Y2g~~fbimiv9xG6RlQLKU6~ZNzl15xj3vKOz5gnHv7UXvTtTXjE5B1uIqyr1oqRz82pL5-8DzUbvEy~63KVibDe-xs-Yzuonpvi3nl4CrpQ3EgF0~mLWMrASAn0D9PrKIWY69YLResRwQxTMrN6KKhSoxQ9mdj2rF1Xr9lFGQbVcHN-Z4zW44MF26SGY8ehIc4obQQfjEJpx7zgVY~XHM5pAS~JJDeaWZG-rbEaKzya3dBmpiIvm1ADsNpS6z69GJT7TCqkxXrbf5N9I0RB0pQH5YvZKK7Kq2SVbYrWPM-0sNMjUTdk-1WDNlMpVe72VCmZyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kendall County, TX","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","Kendall County Commissioners Court heard more than two hours of public comments Feb. 11 on a petition to create Kendall County Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 1 for the Bergheim service area, a measure backers said is needed to fund full‑time, 24/7 firefighters and opponents said would create a costly, permanent tax with limited oversight.

After the public hearing and extended discussion, the court concluded the day without approving an order to call an election and authorize the ESD tax. A motion to place the measure on the May uniform election date and authorize a tax failed at the conclusion of debate.

What supporters said: petitioners and residents who favor the ESD said the Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) faces sustained call-volume growth, volunteer burnout and a funding shortfall that supporters estimate would require going from volunteer staffing to paid firefighters to ensure reliable response. Petition leader Cleve Hogarth, speaking for the BVFD board, said the petition met statutory requirements and asked the court to let voters decide. Other supporters said an ESD legally dedicates tax revenue to emergency services in the district and would prevent county general-fund dollars from being reallocated.

What opponents and skeptics said: speakers including property owners and some residents argued the same priorities could be addressed without creating a special taxing entity now; they urged more county study, a countywide strategy for emergency services, and additional public education. Opponents raised several specific concerns: the projected cost to district property owners, turnover and management problems at the volunteer department, the timing (May elections historically have lower turnout), and unresolved data about BVFD operations. Several speakers said the county’s new Voss EMS station will change response patterns and urged the court to wait for additional data.

Key numbers and details discussed in the meeting:
- BVFD and petitioners said call volume for the BVFD area reached roughly 533 911 calls in fiscal 2024; BVFD volunteers said a small share of those calls were structure fires but many were EMS, rescue or mutual‑aid responses that local volunteers frequently handle.
- Petitioners’ fiscal model: petition supporters said a full 24/7 paid staffing model likely produces an annual operating budget in the roughly $2.5 million–$3.0 million range; backers said the ESD ad valorem tax (up to the 10¢ per $100 cap) would be the primary revenue source but that commissioner appointees would set rates if the ESD forms.
- County staff estimate the Kendall County portion of running a May election at a minimum of roughly $17,000 (county share) if the county must provide an early‑voting location; adding an early‑voting site within the district could add $8,000–$10,000 for staffing.

Administrative and legal questions raised: county staff and commissioners flagged several technical and legal items that remained unresolved in petition materials. County elections staff noted coding and voter‑roll mapping tasks would be required to ensure every affected parcel is correctly assigned to the ESD territory for May; staff said completing that work in time would impose overtime on county elections personnel. County counsel and commissioners raised concerns about municipal ETJs listed in the petition and whether all necessary municipal consents (for example, from Bulverde) had been secured before calling an election; county staff confirmed the City of San Antonio had returned consent paperwork on Feb. 6 but said Bulverde’s consent was still pending.

Vote and outcome: after discussion, the court did not approve an order calling an election to confirm creation of Kendall County ESD No. 1 or authorize an ad valorem tax. A motion to call the election and authorize tax failed on the court floor (no affirmative majority to call the election during the open session).

Why it matters: the petition seeks to create a locally governed taxing district with authority to levy property taxes dedicated to emergency services in a defined service area. Creation of an ESD would shift long‑term revenue responsibility to affected property owners and change how emergency services are funded and governed in the Bergheim area.

What’s next: Commissioners said they will continue county planning work on emergency services, including a planned countywide survey and the Hill Country Fire Coalition’s mitigation and insurance outreach; county staff also will follow up on municipal ETJ consents and on the elections office’s mapping work if petitioners pursue another date.

Provenance: Public‑comment testimony, petitioners’ presentation and the court’s recorded motions and final roll call appear in the transcript from the public‑hearing segment that began at about 10:07 a.m. and concluded with the court’s vote at 12:49 p.m.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioner's Court February 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After hours of public comment for and against creating Kendall County Emergency Services District No. 1 to fund full‑time firefighters in the Bergheim area, the commissioners declined to call the May election and authorize a tax, with a final vote that left no motion to call the election approved.","taxTitle","Kendall County, Texas","taxId",63803,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121420,"Kendall, Kerr counties approve interlocal to form Hill Country Energy subregional planning commission over opposition",1343,1832000,3175000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2702486-579d25aa7cd37d44b6ef7bb3c69761b1&start=1832&end=3175","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2702486-579d25aa7cd37d44b6ef7bb3c69761b1/thumbnail_1832000.jpg","/articles/6121420/Kendall-County/Texas/Kendall-Kerr-counties-approve-interlocal-to-form-Hill-Country-Energy-subregional-planning-commission-over-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121420-16990d825a12ccf76dbcecbd799d9251/orig.mp4?Expires=1770814898&Signature=RhF5BfVe~1RgGoGWsfqfCYqKxSpyv9S81~BFw8g6gyj4EVa-vzzLYfqY8mMaiEv2q8gnR0EQuY~c4PQjxCQ~tJEKZavxjMwgU4P7GWb2L4ZHmcr-tycaZl24HWPr1tEGcRYlflQyWkReh0yWkUajE63n7yHAWoVA0TJfg-nHkv4rsl7EJngEcDoo8dR93G-ys~EgVHZ7pL3N1j3GTC88MN9KSx0O4KonHnNHnAG4lAmRDJQpCCW0OGtLj3bXxZE1kd~~Lxt7JfRFppSm1VVzmTe5AjyyJENNzvew68ZRWeVkSEfriQRVO1Tk4Fx3Lv45whrmRzZPO0ZWZSconoKXEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kendall County Commissioners Court voted 3–2 on Feb. 11 to approve an interlocal agreement with Kerr County that creates the Hill Country Energy Subregional Planning Commission (HCES RPC), a Chapter 391 subregional planning commission intended to coordinate local response to proposed energy storage and energy projects.

The court also approved the commission’s bylaws and appointed two Kendall County commissioners to serve on the new body. The measures passed on roll calls that left the county judge and one commissioner opposed.

Supporters, including Kendall County Commissioners who negotiated the draft with Kerr County, said the commission gives local governments a formal channel to require state and federal regulators to meet with affected counties and discuss large battery storage and other energy projects. Commissioner Chad Carpenter and other proponents said the commission will require agencies such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Public Utility Commission to “sit at the table” so counties can present concerns about siting, traffic and safety.

Opponents and some commissioners argued the interlocal and bylaws were drafted and negotiated quickly, raised legal questions about bylaw incorporation by reference and about withdrawal language, and should be approved only after more review. One commissioner asked why cities such as Kerrville and Boerne were not included as participants and expressed concern that a county might be unable to withdraw easily if it later disagrees with commission actions.

The interlocal, the bylaws and a resolution approving formation all passed by the same 3–2 margin. The court then appointed two Kendall County commissioners as the county’s representatives; that appointment vote was unanimous.

County staff said Kerr County’s commissioners voted unanimously to approve matching documents the prior day. County counsel advised the court that the commission, once formed under Chapter 391 of the Local Government Code, would be authorized to adopt bylaws at its first meeting. County staff also noted the interlocal’s map and appendices are incorporated by reference and said members had corrected two drafting errors after Kerr County’s review.

Officials also flagged implementation questions the court asked be tracked: whether municipal extraterritorial jurisdictions (ETJs) are correctly shown on the petition materials, the timing and location of the commission’s first public meeting, insurance requirements and whether the commission territory later could be expanded. County elections and clerk staff said no county funds were being requested for commission operations other than meeting space; the county auditor said she would certify zero budgeted funds for fiscal year 2025 for the commission.

Why it matters: supporters said the commission gives counties formal coordination rights with state agencies that issue permits for large energy projects such as grid-scale battery installations. Opponents said the interlocal, as drafted, expands the scope beyond battery energy storage systems to “energy storage” generally and leaves open questions about governance, withdrawal and municipal involvement.

What’s next: commissioners named Kendall’s two members to the new commission and agreed the first joint meeting will be held in Kerr County on Feb. 14 at 2 p.m., per the interlocal. The commission is required to adopt formal bylaws at its first meeting and to post meeting notices under the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Provenance: The debate over the interlocal, the bylaws, the votes and the appointments appears in the public meeting transcript beginning with public comments urging the court to act and continuing through the court’s motions and roll-call votes. Evidence spans participants’ presentations, the joint committee report and the recorded motions and votes.","Kendall County Commissioners Court approved an interlocal agreement with Kerr County to create the Hill Country Energy Subregional Planning Commission (a Chapter 391 ‘‘3-91’’ planning body) and adopted bylaws despite a 3–2 split. Commissioners also appointed two Kendall commissioners to the new commission.","actionData","errors"]

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Kendall County declines to call ESD No. 1 election after divided public hearing

Kendall, Kerr counties approve interlocal to form Hill Country Energy subregional planning commission over opposition