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Henderson County approves performance-based rural fire protection contract to guarantee coverage in unincorporated areas
Summary
After extended debate, Commissioners Court approved a new rural fire protection contract tying quarterly county payments to performance criteria and requiring contracted departments to provide at least two personnel available at a station to improve response times; the court authorized the county judge to execute agreements.
Henderson County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to approve a proposed 2026 rural fire protection contract that ties county funding to quarterly performance criteria and guarantees primary and secondary coverage in unincorporated areas.
The contract, introduced by county counsel, would cap the county’s allotment to each participating fire department and divide payments into quarterly disbursements contingent on meeting specified performance measures. Under the proposal, a contracted department must have at least two personnel available at a station to respond to calls, which county staff and fire officials said will shorten response times for rural areas.
Fire Marshal Mitch Peck told the court that the county historically split funds across some 19–20 departments but has struggled to obtain consistent reporting and response-capability data. He identified four departments expected to meet the…
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