Commissioners Court Special Session 07/09/2026

The Hunt County Commissioners Court held a special session on July 9, 2026, primarily focused on a public hearing regarding the petition for the creation of Hunt County Emergency Service District (ESD) Number One. Fire Chief Alex Ste presented a detailed proposal for the ESD, emphasizing the need for sustainable, professional emergency services across an 84-square-mile district covering approximately 15,000 residents. The presentation included a draft budget outlining staffing nine full-time certified firefighters, capital expenditures for new fire stations and apparatus, and operational costs totaling about $2.3 million annually. The ESD would be funded by a property tax capped at 10 cents per $100 valuation, with the goal of improving fire protection, reducing response times, and potentially lowering homeowners' insurance premiums through better ISO ratings. The court discussed procedural matters related to petition signatures, voter boundaries, and timelines for appointing the ESD board and setting tax rates. No final votes were taken on the ESD creation during this session, but plans were made to address related agenda items in upcoming meetings. The meeting also included public testimony expressing concerns about transparency and qualifications related to emergency services leadership, though these issues were distinguished from the ESD proposal. Overall, the session focused on advancing the establishment of the ESD as a dedicated funding and governance mechanism for enhanced fire and emergency services in Hunt County.