Hunt County commissioners vote 3–2 to terminate Quinlan Volunteer Fire Department contract; 90‑day notice ordered

Hunt County Commissioners Court voted 3–2 on Jan. 5, 2026, to terminate the countyfire protection agreement with the Quinlan Volunteer Fire Department (QVFD), directing county staff to provide written notice by certified mail and beginning a 90‑day termination period.

Judge Stovall opened the special session at 10 a.m. and allowed three‑minute public statements. Dozens of residents and written commenters addressed the court, sharply divided over whether the county should remove contract funding from QVFD ahead of any election on an emergency services district (ESD).

The court first approved amendments to existing work authorizations for Breeze and Nichols Inc. for several FM road projects, then moved to agenda item No. 2, which asked the court to "discuss and possibly take action on terminating the fire protection agreement contract with Quinlan Volunteer Fire Department subject to the relevant notice provisions." Commissioner (Speaker 9) framed the question as a business decision about coverage and mapped service footprints, telling the court, "This is not the…