“When it works well, it works amazingly well,” stated Clay Avery to a room full of City Councilmen, County Commissioners, and volunteer firefighters.

Avery serves as Assistant Executive Director for the Texas State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts. He presented information on the creation of Emergency Services Districts (ESD) during at Fairfield City Council Workshop on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.

“An ESD is not a cure all for everything,” continued Avery. “But, it will be a big boost.”

What is an ESD?

An ESD is a governmental entity, created by voters, to provide fire protection or emergency medical response (or a combination of both) to residents residing in a set boundary, or district.

Similar to school board and hospital districts, ESD’s are governed by a board and collect taxes.

The main difference is that all their monies and resources are earmarked for emergency and/or fire protection.

“An ESD can supplement a volunteer fire department, just like the County does,” says Avery.

When fire departments ask for funds from County Commissioners or a City Council, they are competing for money that goes to many different services.

On the other hand, ESD money may only be used for emergency services.

Although ESD’s were created as a financing vehicle for emergency services, according to Avery, maintaining such a district takes a great deal of work (and administrative paperwork).

“This is a serious endeavor,” cautioned Avery. “This is not just a ‘piggy bank’ for resources.”

How would an ESD work?

Basically, an ESD would take over the chore of running, and funding, emergency services.

A board of five commissioners, appointed by the County, would serve two-year terms.

“It’s very important to get good people on that board, willing to serve,” state Avery.

Volunteer Fire Departments could stay autonomous, while contracting with the ESD to service their communities.

In turn, the ESD would allocate funds for equipment, trucks and other resources.

What are some common issues?

Asset ownership is sometimes a contention.

Basically, if taxpayer money is used to purchase a piece of equipment, then the taxpayer owns that equipment. According to Avery, EDS’s own such equipment on behalf of citizens.

However, anything a volunteer fire department purchases on their own, or with the help of a grant in their name, belongs to them.

Also, when citizens make donations to their local fire departments, those monies stay with that department.

It is important to remember that the ESD is there to benefit the community. “Everyone is on the same side,” said Avery.

So, how is an ESD created?

According to Avery, an ESD is a grassroots endeavor.

“A City Council or County government cannot create an ESD,” said Avery. “Only citizens can do that.”

Creation starts with a petition of 100 qualified voters. The petition will name the district, set its boundaries, and determine if it will incorporate emergency or fire service (or both).

If a municipality is including in the proposed boundary, that City Council give their consent.

Next, it goes to the County Commissioners Court for a public hearing. The County must decide if such a district is 1) feasible, 2) of benefit to citizens, and 3) would promote public safety.

Then, and election is ordered.

If approved by voters, the process can begin of setting up the new ESD. According to Avery, taxes collection will not begin until the following year.

One more thing:

By law, tax for ESD’s is set at 10 cents per $100 of assessed property value. Thus, property that is valued at $100,000 will see, at the most, a $100 tax increase.

For more information about ESD’s, visit the website for the Texas State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts at www.safe-d.org

A Town Hall meeting is planned for the future to present this information to the citizens of Freestone County.