ELECTION 2025: CHAPPELL HILL & MEYERSVILLE VFD EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT

  

For residents living on the east side of Washington County, an election is underway that could reshape how two local volunteer fire departments are funded.

A proposition is available to voters within the service territories of the Chappell Hill and Meyersville Volunteer Fire Departments that would establish the county’s first emergency services district (ESD).  The ESD would become the primary source of funding for the fire departments by setting an ad valorem tax of up to $0.10 per $100 valuation on residents in those fire districts, not including people who live in the City of Brenham’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Chappell Hill VFD captain and president Dustin Brown, who is also the ESD committee chairman for both fire departments, says they have relied on donations, fundraisers and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the county to support department operations.  He says as calls for service in their territories rapidly grow, a more reliable funding source is needed to replace outdated equipment and an aging fleet of vehicles.

An ESD board, consisting of five members appointed by county commissioners and who live and vote inside the district, would set the ESD tax rate after reviewing the budgets and capital needs from both departments.  The board must provide yearly audits, hold monthly meetings and submit reports to commissioners.    

If the ESD is approved and once it is established, the county’s MOU for funding the two departments would be cancelled.  They would also need to build a new agreement for dispatching services to cover their districts, but Brown says the relationships with other local agencies like EMS, the sheriff’s office and DPS should remain mostly unchanged.

Among the complaints of those against the ESD proposal have included criticism of imposing a new tax and establishing a new government entity separate from the county, arguing it would create unnecessary duplication of administrative services and possible opportunities for wasteful spending. 

Brown invites anyone who has questions about the ESD to meet with either of the fire departments to learn about their situation and why they believe this path will improve the level of service provided to citizens.

ESD questions can also be submitted by email to wacounty.esdone.questions@gmail.com. 

Click below to hear the full interview with Dustin Brown.