History of Emergency Services District #3
On July 12, 2012. the South Van Zandt Volunteer Fire Department (SVZVFD) realized the need for additional funding in order to properly protect the lives and property of the citizens in their service area. Since its inception in 1984, funding for SVZVFD was solely provided by donations from the public and grants from various government agencies. When the financial burdens of SVZVFD became too much for the funding methods available, the leadership of SVZVFD researched other means of financial support for the fire safety of their district.
One such source was created by the Texas Legislature in 1989. It enacted a provision whereby the voters could authorize an Emergency Services District (ESD) that would levy and administer a property tax to support their mission. SVZVFD did extensive research into formation of an ESD. The funds generated from this ESD would provide financial support needed to provide fire protection for their service area. The SVZVFD enlisted the services of an attorney to aid in the proper establishment of an ESD.
A petition was initiated on October 1, 2012 and submitted to the Van Zandt County Judge on January 7, 2013. This petition was an outline showing the need for an ESD to support the service area of SVZVFD. After a hearing on February 21, 2013, before the Van Zandt County Commissioner's Court, it was determined that an ESD was feasible. The Commissioner's Court set the boundaries of the district and called for an election to allow the will of the districts' voters to be determined.
The election was held on May 11, 2013. The result of the election mandated the creation of an ESD. This ESD was named Emergency Services District #3.
On July 11, 2013, the first meeting of ESD #3 was held in the Van Zandt County Court House. At that meeting, five ESD #3 commissioners were appointed by the Van Zandt County Commissioner's Court. Those officers for ESD #3 were duly elected to serve on the newly created board.
The ESD Board members receive no compensation for their services and serve two year terms that are staggered in such a way that three terms expire in a given year and the other two expire the following year. Each member is required to complete continuing education every two years, so that they can stay current on the ever-changing rules and regulations of Texas ESD's.
Support of the fire protection services in ESD #3 are provided by a voter-approved property tax on real property, not to exceed $0.10 per $100.00 valuation. The present tax rate is $0.0792/per $100.00 valuation. The funding provided via the taxpayers has enabled the fire rating of ESD #3 to improve from a 9/10 ISO rating to a rating of 3/10. The ISO rating is based on a 1-10 scale in which 1 is perfect and 10 is no fire protection. A rating of 10 means you are more than five road-miles from the closest fire station in your district. The improvement in the district's fire rating comes from using tax dollars to upgrade, add, and replace equipment. These improvements can also, with some insurance providers, provide a decrease in the insurance premiums for the citizens located in ESD #3, who are within the five-road-mile range of a fire station.
Please remember, all personnel who serve you in ESD #3 are volunteers and receive no salary. All of your tax dollars are used to support these individuals with equipment and supplies. They donate their time toward ensuring your personal safety and the safety of your property.