Helotes council approves interlocal agreement to resume fire inspections for Grey Forest

Helotes—The Helotes City Council voted to approve an interlocal agreement to provide fire prevention inspections, testing and plan reviews to the neighboring town of Grey Forest.

Council Member Rick Sanders said the arrangement restores a service Helotes previously provided to Grey Forest and described the agreement as “pretty straightforward.” The council approved the item after brief discussion and a presentation from fire department staff.

The agreement, as described during the meeting, calls for annual inspections of a small set of properties in Grey Forest — the chief said the city anticipates inspecting four properties once per year — and does not obligate Helotes to perform inspections of commercial property under the new terms; council members noted Grey Forest currently has one commercial property. Fire staff and council described the likely covered properties as short-term rentals and bed-and-breakfast–type uses.

Council Member Sanders moved to take action on the item and Council Member David Cato seconded the motion. The council called the question and approved the agreement; no roll-call tally was announced during the discussion.

City officials said the Helotes Fire Department agreed to provide the services and that prior inspections had been paused after the previous Grey Forest mayor did not execute a renewal; the new agreement revives the limited support. The fire chief who spoke was not identified by name on the record.

The council approved the interlocal agreement during its regular meeting and moved on to the next agenda item.

Looking ahead, staff said the arrangement is operational — inspections will be scheduled as needed under the annual cadence described. The agreement was presented as administrative in scope, and council members did not propose amendments during the vote.