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