Travis County Commissioners Court
February 28, 2006
Item 4
4 a. Consider and take appropriate action regarding a petition for the creation of an emergency services district no. 13 in the part of northeast Travis County that is not currently served by another district; and b. Consider and take appropriate action on order calling an election for the creation of an emergency services district no. 13 in the part of northeast Travis County that is not currently served by another district. We did have a public hearing on this matter last week.
>> off of the county judge. The only knew that I have, I -- the only thing knew that I have, while you were off the -- a draft order with the appropriate changes that barbara wilson can go over with that, boundary lines for you all's consideration. The other thing is I know there's several people here who would like to speak on this item that did not speak last week. And/or did speak last week that would like to continue to speak.
>> okay. Ms. [indiscernible] sent a letter. Is she here today. Indicating that she may not be able to make this meeting, but she made three points. In my view. The first was that they are now in no man's land in northeast Travis County. Two is that if they just call 911, no existing esd is responsible for responding. To the call. So they have to call I guess an esd directly is their point on that one, whereas most residents in Travis County if they call 911 there's an esd or -- or a city or county entity responsible for covering the area. And her third point is -- is that the problem with joining the elgin esd is that it would then be a two county esd and elections would need to be held each year to elect fire Commissioners and she goes on to -- to stress that that -- that the expense of holding the elections that money could be used to better serve people in other ways. And we did get a couple of e-mails that -- that kind of clarified different points and I think they all went to court, right? Now for those who would like to give points, statements in addition to what -- what you said last week, please come forward at this time. We would be happy to get your comments.
>> I知 dr. Charles w. Gramm, comairtion Ron Davis how are you today?
>> fine.
>> glad to see you again. Mr. Biscoe I wish you hadn't walked out of here, I know you, too. [laughter] get back in your seat, fella. But I致e been -- I知 a veterinarian. I own a lot of ranching property. I知 not bragging, I知 just telling ya. So I didn't -- there's a lot of watermelons coming through elgin Texas in 1957. Ladies and gentlemen, we have the finest fire department and emergency services that you can possibly have in the state of Texas. Might cover other parts of the united states. These people are absolutely committed to these efforts. It is absolutely a way of life with them. Coming over here this morning, I was thinking about it, in the marriage, a son, if he marries someone, one of the first things that he asks his girlfriend, can you be -- can you feel free -- well, with the fire department, of elgin, Texas. The same way with the daughters, in some cases of daughters of firefighters have bared sons of firefighters. There's absolutely no reason under any circumstances that we would have to deal with this issue this morning. There's no need for it. Election there's no need for it under no circumstances. He will begin's independent fire department does cover that area in a very, very judicial matter. There's an absolutely incredible amount of activity up there. I have supported this organization, I知 not bragging, I知 just telling ya. Extremely, extremely because -- they serve their public, break away from their job, go service the areas with no problems whatsoever. It is a -- it is a -- the challenges that they have, state-wide contest, they bring back the blue ribbons repeatedly. Failure is not acceptable. And I cannot tell you how important this community is to -- to elgin. Now, for example, I have just built, probably open about -- probably April the 1st, invite you Commissioner Ron Davis and county judge Biscoe to come down and have a free soda water with me. I didn't say beer, I said free soda water. Somewhere around April the 1st. But one of the reasons that I built that right there is because the fire service is going to be right up the road from me. An individual has given them land to build a new fire station. The schools are out there. The fire station is out there. I can did not imagine how -- I cannot image how compatible all of this situation would be. Also the insurance rates. I have already checked with that. Because of their fire situation it will be right there close to the facilities. Multi-million business that I built there because of the capabilities of our fire department. I highly recommend that if this issue you all will not even consider it in the future. We have already been through this over locally in manor, Texas. Seems to me like they will not go away. It's a control situation. It's a greed thing. These people that's in elgin, Texas serve -- there's people here right out there from that geographical area this morning. This man -- this man right here, I met him in 19 -- in June of 1957. That's how far I go back with these people. His son is here today. And I tell you -- I知 pleading with you all, wipe this clean, tell them we are not going to listen to any more of this-- trying to come into our territory. It's a waste of time. It's a waste of taxpayers' time. It's a waste of my time. I was going to go and be in hamilton, Texas today at my cow auction sale. I own a sale barn in hamilton, Texas. This is absolutely so important, respect for my friendship to the elgin fire department, I came here today to -- to give my song and dance and plead with y'all to vote in our favor today and let's squash this so we don't have to do this anymore. It's wasting you all's time, it's wasting our time. We are doing a wonderful job and we are very, very proud of it. Well I致e got the floor, I知 asking you all to come out to the star of Texas fair and rodeo. For your education, Commissioner Davis -- edification, I have been honored recently with the naming of the new office complex out there as the -- star of Texas fair and rodeo center, charles w. Gramm, I知 extremely proud of that, I wish that you would come visit our office complex out there, it's a wonderful, wonderful complex. Also we are the 17th largest rodeo and fair in the united states out of 700. We are the fastest growing rodeo and fair in livestock show in the united states. So y'all all got to be proud of what you all have done to help us. You all have been very, very instrumental in supportive and everything that we are doing out there. You all please come out there and enjoy a very hoppable time, thank you very much.
>> I would like to congratulate you, all of the work that you have done and the name of that particular new area. The service that you have given to this community for the number of years of that service. So--
>> thank you very much.
>> I congratulate for you that.
>> thank you.
>> you are quite welcome.
>> yes, sir.
>> [one moment please for change in captioners]
>> I was here at the last meeting. I just wanted to make this kind of short and sweet, so to speak. I want to thank the court for letting us appear here before you. Just to remind you that the people of this area called blackland prairie committee, and it's become known as no man's land. They've worked towards this item today for the last two to three years. They have met all the criteria that it takes to get it before you, but before they did this they had their own criteria to meet. One of them was a willingness to work towards this means, and they wanted to make their area better. I think that the people out in this area have spoken by the petition and by their coming to these two meetings to meet with you the court. It was mentioned last week the fact that this area will only bring in a small amount of revenue, but the people are still willing to go ahead with it. They have said that they wanted elgin fire department to serve this area for them, and believe me, the elgin fire department has vast experience in working with small amounts of money. Whatever amount is decided to be distributed to elgin for the contract services in this area would greatly help our department. Another thing, it's just not everyday that you have people come up and volunteer to tax their self. All I ask you now is that because of their hard work and action that all the people of this area be given the chance to vote on this item in the coming election. Thank you.
>> so who covers blackman prairie north of 290 east? Who covers the part that is south of 290 east that is not in the esd that covers manor number 4, I think?
>> basically it's -- I知 cliff tisler, and basically it's the elgin fire department presently.
>> because I did get a couple of e-mails that mention that had area also.
>> yes, yes. That is part of the area that is in our petition. I just wanted to recap two or three things. First of all, we're obviously in an uncovered area. We have been this, I値l correct larry, for better than five years. We basically interestingly enough, the group is interested in the services, we've worked very closely with the elgin fire department trying to get this thing together. We chose not to go to a two-county for the reasons ms. Samuel san stated to you in her e-mail to you because we felt like the money should be put to the services of the citizens rather than to hold an election. And all we're asking is that you set it for a hearing so that we might have an opportunity to get this thing off the ground. Appreciate the opportunity to come before you this morning, and thank you all.
>> may I add one more thing?
>> go ahead.
>> this coming Sunday at the elgin spjst hall, the elgin fire department is putting on one of our annual fund-raisers. This is our biggest fund-raiser of the year. Just to give you an idea, we cook 3,000 pounds of bris cet and we serve approximately anywhere between 1600 and 2,000 plates. So if you want to come down for some good barbecue and fellowship and see the support that our fire department has, I invite you to come to the sp hall this Sunday.
>> what time is that again?
>> it starts at the sp hall at 12:00. It's on highway -- if you come into elgin on 290, take a left on 95 towards taylor and you'll come out there and you'll see the fire trucks and everything else.
>> what's the date again?
>> this Sunday, the 5th.
>> so barbara, in terms of meeting legal requirements as to process and procedure, where are we?
>> in terms of the minimum requirements to create the hearing and to bring it to you for a decision about the feasibility of forming --
>> pull the microphone down a little bit so we can hear you.
>> in relation to the legal requirements to allow a hearing and to put you in the position that you need to make a decision about the feasibility of forming a district out of the area that is included in the petition, all of the legal requirements have been met. There is -- it is a legal requirement that you determine whether the area and the number of people to be served and the tax base and everything else that you want to consider that relates to the feasibility of operating a district based on the area in this petition is -- it's a legal requirement that you make that determination. And I can't tell you whether it's feasible or not. That's a management decision, but you're legalry required to make that decision. If you determine that it is feasible based on whatever criteria you choose to consider, then you would need to pass an order that would require an election so that all of the people who live in the area and are voters can determine whether or not to approve the formation of a district. And there is an order available that includes the area covered by the petition, but excludes the area over there where those red dots are that was annexed by the Pflugerville esd, and excludes the area that is included in the e.t.j. Of elgin because elgin did not give its permission for its e.t.j. To be included in the district.
>> well, it seems to me that clearly the size of the area, the number of residents there and the tax base, would not generate enough annual revenue for a newly created district to be sort of autonomous in terms of buying equipment, location for a station.
>> you're absolutely correct, judge.
>> but it would generate additional revenue for the district to interlocal -- to by interlocal agreement contract with another district or more than one to get the services provided.
>> that is correct. And that is our intention.
>> and the district would not be limited to an interlocal because if a district is not created in elgin in relation -- there is discussion about creating one there, but if there is not one, they would still be able to contract with the elgin volunteer fire department as an association or as a nonprofit corporation, whatever they happen to be. I don't know enough about them to know what status they have, but they would also be able to contract with non-governmental entities to provide the service as well.
>> so if approved immediately, the new district would be able to contract with the volunteer fire department, and if the elgin volunteer fire department creates an esd, the two esd's would be able to by interlocal agreement -- provide services for a sum of money?
>> judge, that was the result of the meeting that we had in the past with our county attorney and with the folks here. Samuelson of course is not here. We looked at that as far as future involvement, looking at the elgin situation and things like that, but it would just boil down to where we are now. And that's to go ahead and create this and of course facilitate and fill in those particular voids that we just discussed here with the questions that you asked barbara wilson. Those were very key questions and those answers I think are right on time. And I know they still would probably still maybe look forward to in the future doing what they're going to do in elgin, but again the ability to -- the esd, if the voters decide to vote in support of esd 13, they would have the ability and authority to also contract with other entities for services. So I think it's critical and they have been willing, the elgin volunteer fire folks in the area of continuing to serve. So I知 excited about this and I really would like to at some point in this discussion move approval for a and b. But anyway, those are some very key questions, I think, as far as answers. I壇 just like to put that on the table.
>> for me, whenever you make your motion I will be happy to second or vote for it or whatever. For me what this is all about is incremental progress. Sometimes we would love to have the full solution the day we're working on it, but sometimes we have to say we need to make incremental progress and then build upon what good things happen and work towards a full solution. The reality is that for all of these years you all have depended on the kindness of strangers in mutual aid agreements, and while that has worked very well, we've never had a situation where a fire department has ever refused to cross a line simply because a jurisdictional line on taxation exists. And we are blessed in terms of all of our departments here. We don't have the situation that other counties have. But mutual aid agreements are costly to those other jurisdictions. Their taxpayers have been picking up the burden of being kind to somebody else. And I think it is necessary for you all to have a stable base of contributions. While it is lovely that you are going to have your barbecue plates -- and I致e dealt with this with other esd's -- you can't really depend on the pennies in the big jar to work on very serious issues here in terms of equipment and purchasing the services. You need a stable base. And it also needs to be a fair assessment for everyone within that area and not simply the good citizens who choose to step up to the plate and make those donations on an annual basis. You can always come back and join up with another esd at some point in the future. And the perfect example of that is what happened on north shores in Lake Travis. Esd number 1, lago vista, and esd number 7, which is Jonestown, had a marriage. And we saw the creation of those two districts and many years later they pulled it all together so there is now a united esd on north shores. We have many potential possibilities out there, and I知 not going to presume to say which one could, should or would happen, but for me in terms of my findings, I think it is feasible based on what you all are saying is the service level that the folks out here find acceptable and are willing to tax themselves for. And that is this is still a very rural area and you are asking for a level of protection that is consistent with a rural fire department kind of a district. And as more things fill in here and dr. Graham and so many other things going on out here, you will have a much higher tax base in the future and then you can make decisions about whether you want to go aton must, whether you want to join us with another esd, whatever your choices are, but to me I find it is feasible and I find this would be a vote for incremental progress and it leaves it to the folks out there to determine their own future out there. But taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society, and I知 ready for black lands to be able to make that decision for themselves.
>> thank you.
>> so 12 and 4 in Pflugerville and manor --
>> Pflugerville is 2.
>> Pflugerville is esd 2.
>> so 2 and 34 have helped out -- 2 and 4 have helped out in the past.
>> yes.
>> this area was not totally selected by accident. The blackland prairie group met with all the fire chiefs of all the surrounding communities, and basically when you take and put a compass at the fire station and swing it from each of the fir stations, this area tends to fall out obviously for elgin. That's why the group is asking to go to -- anticipating going with elgin.
>> so the may election is what is targeted. What date in may?
>> I believe it's the 10th, but I知 not positive. I would have to go look it up.
>> we don't need to say the date in 4-b? We can just call it election and set the date later?
>> wait a minute.
>> there's a uniform election date in may.
>> may 7th.
>> are you sure?
>> yes.
>> because the council election is the next week?
>> if it's not may 7 we'll have another item to correct it. Commissioner Davis moves approval of a and b.
>>
>> and if there are no other comments from the persons participate ng this process, I want to thank each and every one of you for coming down and for giving your time. And judge, your office has worked real hard on this also, dan and barbara wilson, so many of y'all to thank because this has been a struggle and it's been an issue for awhile, but I guess putting our arms around the issue sometimes is kind of tough to hold on. It's kind of like a greased pig sometimes, you can't hold on to it. But at least now we're in the process of building block or foundation to move forward with the type of emergency services that you deserve for a long time. So with that, judge, I move a vote.
>> seconded by Commissioner Gomez. Any more discussion of the foation? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. Thank you all.
>> and on b we scheduled a hearing for may 7th. Dr. Graham, how you been doing?
>> good to see you. You doing all right?
>> hanging in there. Aging, but otherwise doing fine. The alternative is a lot worse.
>> and I値l see you at the rodeo. I was there for the Travis County youth show. I appreciate it. [overlapping speakers]
>> the specific date of that election is may 13th, if the minutes will reflect that. That's friendly, no issue with that.
>> may 13th, judge.
>> and the order does reflect that. I have the original of the order.
>> he's going to put the thing down here. It also provides for early voting from the first to I believe the ninth of may, so they will have both early voting and election provided for in the order.
>> okay. That's fine. Thanks.
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Last Modified:
Wednesday, March 1, 2006 7:37 AM