Grayson County commissioners approve order to create Emergency Services District 1, order election

The Grayson County Commissioners Court voted to approve an order granting a petition to create Grayson County Emergency Services District 1 and to place the measure before voters, after a public hearing that drew volunteers and local officials urging new funding for fire and emergency medical services.

Supporters said rising call volumes and equipment and staffing costs have outpaced traditional fundraising. Kurt Moore, a resident who authored the petition, described sustained growth in calls across Preston and the Locust area and said the proposed district would give local voters the option of property-tax and sales-tax funding for local fire and EMS services. "We know we're probably gonna have to add a second ambulance crew. And this is why this is critical," Moore said.

The petition hearing included presentations from volunteer and community leaders. Mike Rich, a volunteer firefighter and board member from the Locust community, said Locust responded to 251 calls in 2024, including 137 medical calls, and that mutual-aid requests have increased. Nancy Anderson, who helped organize Preston Volunteer Emergency Services Foundation fundraising, recounted long-running community fundraising efforts and rising equipment costs, saying the charity events have reached their practical limit. Lori Lafebvre, president of the Preston Volunteer Emergency Services board, read supporting remarks from an emergency physician who said ESD funding is constitutionally authorized in Texas and dedicated to emergency services.

Several speakers said creating an ESD would take years to build meaningful revenue but would ensure funds are available when demand peaks. Commissioner comments noted that state law caps an ESD property tax rate at 10 cents per $100 of assessed value and that a sales tax option could reduce the burden on property owners. County staff and outside counsel answered questions about petition boundaries, extraterritorial-jurisdiction interactions with Pilot Point and potential annexation authority of the existing Four Seasons Ranch MUD.

Commissioner Wright moved to approve the order granting the petition and to order the election; Commissioner Hardenberg seconded. The court voted in favor with the motion carrying. Judge Bruce Dawsey confirmed that moving forward the question will be decided by voters in the district.

The measure now proceeds to the ballot; county staff said they will include the ESD map in the minutes and election materials so residents can see the proposed district boundaries. Commissioners and speakers urged public outreach to explain the funding options and timeline to residents across the affected communities.