Speakers representing the Quinlan Volunteer Fire Department urged Hunt County commissioners on Dec. 23 to halt plans that would cut county funding and potentially shutter the department, saying the change would eliminate advanced life‑support services for southern parts of the county.

"We are here to stand up for a family, a brotherhood, and a community that needs us," volunteer Dylan Fowler told the court, urging commissioners to "reconsider the defunding and closing of a crucial department." Kevin Curb, a captain and paramedic with Quinlan Fire Department, said Quinlan is "the only advanced life support department in South Hunt County," runs about "100 calls a month," and has 31 members on its roster, including six paramedics.

The comments followed an emailed statement read into the record from Rhonda Elaine McKeon, the city administrator and police chief for Hawk Cove, who asked the court to "base decisions on objective data and present legal obligations" and recommended hiring neutral consultants to review southern Hunt County fire services before any change.

Commissioners discussed a separate, county‑led process to consider creation of an Emergency Services District (ESD) for the southern portion of Hunt County. County staff clarified that the court will not take formal action to create an ESD until an application and petition are filed, and that any ESD proposal would require voter approval. Commissioner discussion focused on next procedural steps and the ESD footprint needed to inform property‑value and budget estimates. Staff suggested adding specific ESD agenda items to a future meeting or calling a special session to act on technical items.

Judge Stovall and other commissioners proposed a special session early in January to finalize required documents and clarify the ESD application steps; one date discussed was Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. No ordinance or formal commitment of county funding for an ESD or related operational change was adopted at the Dec. 23 meeting.

The court took no immediate vote to defund Quinlan Fire Department during the meeting. Several commissioners urged further review and site visits before any final decision, and staff said they will follow standard public‑process steps if a petition to form an ESD is filed.

The court’s next scheduled meetings and any special session notices will provide the formal agenda and public notice required by the Texas Open Meetings Act.