Edom, Callender Lake To Vote On Forming ESD 3

It seemed unlikely a month ago, but there will be an election on May 9 to form an emergency services district (ESD) in the Edom and Callender Lake area.

In a special session Monday, Van Zandt County Commissioners granted the petition to create Van Zandt County ESD No. 3 and fix the district’s boundaries, if it gets voter approval.

The commissioners’ court also ordered the election and authorized the district, if approved, to levy an allowable tax rate. Both actions passed 3-0 with Precinct 1 Commissioner Ricky LaPrade absent.

The necessary public hearing and proposed actions took place on the last day possible for the election to be set on May 9.

Van Zandt County Clerk Charlotte Bledsoe confirmed that 126 of the 150 people signing the petition had been confirmed as property owners in the proposed district.

Bledsoe credited the assistance of resident Kerry Hargrove in verifying many of the signatures within a very tight period.

In the public hearing, Hargrove said that if the district were formed, it would include a total tax base of $112 million in property.

"What we are aiming for is a tax levy of six cents per $100 property valuation," Hargrove said.

On a property with a taxable value of $100,000, that would equate to a tax of $60.

Hargrove said that after fees to the Van Zandt County Appraisal District were paid, that would net the ESD about $60,000 per year. He said that money could go a long way toward replacing and upgrading vehicles and equipment for the Edom Volunteer Fire Department.

"Ten thousand dollars a year will carry $100,000 in notes," he said.

Answering a question from Precinct 2 Commissioner Virgil Melton Jr., Hargrove talked about the current state of funding for the fire department.

"We’ve been getting by for many years with a very small amount, about $20,000 per year," he said, referring to fundraising efforts and a small annual amount from the county.

On that small of an annual budget, Hargrove said, "We just hope a (fire vehicle) transmission doesn’t go out."

About 15 affected residents attended the public hearing and those who spoke made clear their support of the proposed district.

"We need to look to the future for our community. It is growing and our needs are growing," Barbara Crow said.

"It is important for our volunteer firefighters to know they have stable funds with which to operate," she added.

Edom VFD Third Lt. Russell Hall detailed the wear and tear on the department’s aging vehicles, stating the department has already answered 94 calls in just over two months.

"It is important that we have some future replacement for these vehicles…I want you (commissioners) to consider the lives being affected," he said. "In the last two years, the department has answered almost 400 calls and I’ve seen the best and the worst of situations."

Hall later added the vehicles, bunker gear and other safety equipment were not "just pieces of property."

Randy Marshall gave several emotional stories detailing the dedication and fast response time of the volunteer firefighters to emergency scenes.

"I live eight minutes from the station," Marshall, a member of the department, said. "I never get to be the one who opens the door first."

Precinct 4 Commissioner Ron Carroll added to Marshall’s testimony about the department.

"I’ve seen the Edom Volunteer Fire Department at work. This is an area that the closest ambulance service is in Van…They are first responders to emergencies," Carroll said.

Bledsoe said early voting will take place at the Van Zandt County Courthouse from April 27-May 5 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on normal business days. She noted there would not be any early voting days with extended hours.

She also said the election day voting would take place at the Edom Community Center with two ballots, one for voters in the city of Edom and one for those outside the city.