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Volunteer fire chief asks McLennan County to consider creation of emergency service district
Summary
Derek Roer, fire chief of the Lena Volunteer Fire Department, urged McLennan County commissioners to explore creating an Emergency Service District to secure stable funding for apparatus, facilities and staffing while acknowledging potential tax impacts on residents.
Derek Roer, who identified himself as fire chief of the Lena Volunteer Fire Department, told McLennan County’s Commissioners Court on May 19 that the department has experienced "substantial operational growth" and rising costs that the current mix of grants, donations and city and county funding will not reliably cover going forward.
"The establishment of an emergency service district would provide a stable and substantial revenue source dedicated specifically to fire protection and emergency medical services within our district," Roer told the court, adding that the department recognizes any ESD would impose an additional tax burden on residents and that proposed tax rates would be carefully evaluated.
Roer outlined strains on the department including increased call volume, aging apparatus, staffing challenges, facility needs and the costs of modern emergency‑response equipment. He said the LVFD has pursued grants and fiscal stewardship but that a dedicated revenue source would better support apparatus replacement, personnel and facility improvements.
Roer asked for an opportunity to sit down with county officials to discuss the ESD option and next steps. Commissioners did not take formal action on the request during the meeting; it was presented during the public‑comment portion of the agenda.
