WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS VOTE 3-2 TO ACCEPT ESD PETITION; PUBLIC HEARING SET FOR JAN. 14

  

Washington County Commissioners issued a split 3-2 vote today (Tuesday) to accept a petition for the creation of an emergency services district (ESD) for the Chappell Hill and Meyersville Volunteer Fire Departments.

The action includes the issuing of necessary notices through the county clerk’s office and the scheduling of a public hearing for the ESD, which will take place during commissioners court on January 14, 2025 at 9 a.m.  The public hearing will lead into a vote by commissioners on whether to call an election for the ESD and place it on the May 3, 2025 ballot.  

Commissioners Kirk Hanath and Don Koester voted against accepting the petition. 

The ESD would levy an ad valorem tax of no more than $0.10 per $100 valuation on residents living within the service territories of the Chappell Hill and Meyersville VFDs.  That would not include the City of Brenham’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. 

Originally, commissioners had a public hearing scheduled on August 13^th to vote on placing a proposition for the ESD on the November 2024 ballot.  The hearing was cancelled, though, due to insufficient notice posted in the local newspaper.  Since there was not enough time before the election to post notice and call another public hearing, the process had to be delayed to the May 2025 election.

Part of the discussion today involved the proposed ESD boundary lines.  Kelly Strader, secretary for the Prairie Hill Volunteer Fire Department, stated that a review of the department’s bylaws and charter necessitated an update to its service area.  He said the lines of the fire district and the proposed ESD do not match, and he asked the court to work with them to use roads as the district lines, because right now, the lines run through landowners’ pastures.

Chappell Hill VFD captain and president Dustin Brown said that the ESD is a political subdivision, and its lines are drawn based upon the recommendation of the Chappell Hill and Meyersville VFDs.  He said after the public hearing, if the ESD is approved to move forward onto the ballot, the district lines can be adjusted in conjunction with the commissioners court. 

County Judge John Durrenberger asked Brown if they could lose some of the signatures on their petition if the district lines are changed.  Brown replied that it is a “very high possibility,” but most of the signatures were obtained from Chappell Hill’s area.  A total of 186 signatures on the petition were received, above the minimum of 100. 

When asked after the meeting the reasons for why they voted against accepting the petition, Commissioner Don Koester said he is not totally opposed to the ESD, but he wants the departments to research other options or plans before falling on the ESD.  Commissioner Kirk Hanath answered, “We’re much better together than we are separate, not only for the way we function, but for the taxpayer.”