Residents urge county to support rural fire protection as ESD debate looms

Two residents who said they live in unincorporated areas of Collin County urged the Commissioners Court to consider county support for rural fire protection instead of relying on emergency services districts (ESDs) that would levy new assessments.

Kevin Rohrer of Farmersville said residents in unincorporated areas often do not pay for fire protection and described the potential cost impact of an ESD on homeowners. Rohrer said Farmersville covers a large service area and asked the county to consider using county funds to support fire services rather than allow an ESD model that would add direct fees to home values.

Dan Schmoll, who said he lives near Princeton in an unincorporated area, echoed those concerns and suggested efficiency measures such as subsidized fire-extinguisher refill programs and looking for alternative funding sources before expanding taxation. Both speakers requested that the county seek solutions that avoid duplicative taxing or service layers.

County officials told speakers the item was not on the meeting agenda for policy discussion but that the county would schedule a fuller discussion of the ESD petition and the county's statutory responsibilities. County Judge Hill told the meeting, "this will be a topic more thorough discussion of the ESD petition and the county's statutory requirements in response to that petition." No formal action or vote was taken at the meeting.