CHAPPELL HILL, MEYERSVILLE VFDs SEEKING MORE SIGNATURES FOR ESD PETITION AHEAD OF FRIDAY DEADLINE
Time is running out for the Chappell Hill and Meyersville Volunteer Fire Departments (VFDs) to secure public support in time for a proposed emergency services district (ESD) to go on the ballot this November.
emergency services district for the Chappell
Hill and Meyersville Volunteer Fire Departments.
The area of the ESD would align with the service
area of the two departments, not including the City
of Brenham's extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Friday is the deadline for the departments to secure at least 100 signatures on a petition to bring before county commissioners to call an election for the ESD. Dustin Brown, Chappell Hill VFD captain and president, said they had about 55 signatures as of this (Tuesday) morning.
The ESD would become the primary source of funding for the fire departments by levying an ad valorem tax of no more than 10 cents per $100 valuation on residents who live within their service territories, not counting the City of Brenham’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.
The departments held a pair of town halls over the past two weeks to offer the public more information and the opportunity to ask questions about the proposal. The petition was also available for residents to sign if they supported the proposal; Brown said they had hoped to get closer to 150 signatures by the deadline.
Should Friday pass without enough signatures received, Brown said the fire departments will continue to run the way they have and will “continue to try to find ways to establish a reliable funding source.” When asked if work would continue on an ESD proposal next year, he said, “It’s a strong possibility.”
Anyone who wishes to sign the petition can contact either of the fire departments via Facebook or email the ESD committee at wacounty.esdone.questions@gmail.com. The Chappell Hill VFD will also accept signatures at the Chappell Hill Fire Station after Thursday’s Fourth of July parade.