Tow VFD getting big support with formation of new Llano County ESD
The Tow Volunteer Fire Department is getting a major boost to funding with the formation of a new emergency services district. File photo
The Llano County Commissioners Court officially approved an order on Monday, Dec. 8 to form Llano County Emergency Services District No. 6. With the district’s formation, property owners within its boundaries will see a small property tax increase, but also major improvements to fire protection services from the Tow Volunteer Fire Department.
Residents within the freshly-formed ESD No. 6 voted strongly in favor of forming the district at the polls in the Nov. 4 election. Now, a board of volunteer directors will be formed to oversee the district, which will begin levying a new property tax on residents to help pay for fire protection in the area.
The exact amount of the tax has not yet been determined, but it will be up to 10 cents per $100 property valuation, a cap set by state law.
The district covers a large swathe of land on the west side of Lake Buchanan. This area has traditionally relied on fire protection services from the Tow VFD. That department has been totally reliant on volunteer hours, donations, and fundraisers to function until now.
According to the Tow VFD, dwindling donations and a desire for better training and equipment for local firefighters were the biggest motivators for forming ESD No. 6.
“On behalf of all of Tow VFD, we want to extend our gratitude to each one of you that supported (ESD No. 6) for the November election,” reads a statement from Tow VFD following the election. “Your support will greatly enhance emergency services in Tow, Bluffton, Paradise Point, Shaw Island and (Buchanan Lake Village).”
What is an ESD?
An ESD is a political subdivision that generally supports, funds, and provides emergency services to a defined geographical area, or “district.”
The emergency services district functions by collecting a small tax from residents within its boundaries, then using that money to fund emergency services. This could include paying for professional firefighters, buying new equipment for an existing fire department, stationing EMTs and an ambulance in the area, or anything that boosts a local response to fire and medical emergencies.
The maximum property tax an ESD can levy is 10 cents per $100 property valuation.
ESDs are run by a board of volunteer directors appointed to their positions by the respective county commissioners court in which the ESD resides.
An ESD is put on the ballot when a petition that contains at least 100 signatures from qualified voters who own taxable real property in the proposed district is filed with a county and then approved by commissioners. The petition for ESD No. 6 received the required number of signatures, was filed with the county, and accepted by the Commissioners Court.
Read more about the formation of ESDs under Sec. 775.012 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.