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Uvalde County court agrees to put proposed Emergency Services District No. 3 on ballot
Summary
After a public hearing, Uvalde County commissioners voted to grant a petition to create Emergency Services District No. 3 and call an election; proponents said the ESD would pool funding for aging equipment, training and seasonal staffing while opponents warned of added property-tax burden.
Uvalde County commissioners voted to grant a petition to create Emergency Services District No. 3 and call an election after a public hearing and presentations from local volunteer fire departments.
A representative for the Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department told the court the volunteer departments of Uvalde, Reagan Wells, Kanipa and Sabinal had jointly petitioned to form an ESD to pool resources. "The max the the tax would be at a maximum 10¢ per hundred dollar valuation on property taxes," the representative said, describing a funding plan that would allow each department to present budgets to the ESD board for allocation toward equipment, personnel and training.
Simon Van Dyke, a consultant engaged by the departments, said ESDs are governed by a five-member board appointed by the commissioners court and explained statutory mechanics. "There is no there is no maximum for an initial," Van Dyke said, adding that rural districts commonly start at lower rates while some suburban districts may begin at the full 10¢ allowed under local practice.
During public comment, Diane Karoo urged caution about creating another taxing entity and questioned whether the county could reallocate existing dedicated revenue streams instead. "To ask them to take on an additional 10¢ per $100 valuation of their home is a burden," Karoo said, noting household strains from higher property valuations and basic living costs.
The court record shows the petition had been certified on June 10 with the required signatures and that Uvalde County Elections Administrator Melissa Jones verified the signatures. Commissioners said the court itself would not take a position on how people should vote; it was placing the measure before voters. A motion to grant the petition and call an election was made, seconded and carried.
What happens next: the question will appear on the ballot as ordered by the court. If approved by voters, the ESD board will be appointed and will be authorized to set annual tax rates within statutory limits and allocate funds to the participating volunteer departments.
