County to look again at emergency services district

By CHAD BLACKSHEAR
Herald-Banner Staff

February 15, 2009 01:05 am

— Hunt County Commissioners are slated to conduct a workshop Monday morning regarding a proposed emergency services district, which would have taxing authority.
Commissioners received a presentation regarding the proposed ESD when the court met on Jan. 26. They agreed that a workshop was needed to research the ramifications of an ESD in the county.
A petition was submitted to the Hunt County Voter Administration Office last month seeking to place the proposed ESD on the May ballot.
An ESD is a political subdivision of the state of Texas and can provide emergency medical services, ambulance services and fire prevention. According to Hunt County Firefighters Association Vice President Jim Davenport, the proposed ESD will be used only for fire prevention. However, proponents of the ESD have not provided any documentation to the Commissioners Court regarding the scope of services and the allocation of funds.
Questions from commissioners regarding double and triple taxation were brought up during the meeting, as an ESD has the statutory authority to provide some of the same services paid for by taxpayers to the Hunt Memorial Hospital District.
An emergency services district is a taxing entity similar to a hospital district or school district. The maximum tax that can be levied is 10 cents per $100 valuation.
The workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Auxiliary Courtroom, located at 2700 Johnson Street. The workshop is open to the public.