There has been loads of chatter about Grimes County creating an Emergency Services District, or ESD, for funding emergency services finally. The public will now have an open forum to discuss it with local government officials.
County Judge Joe Fauth presented the item at Wednesday’s meeting of Commissioner’s Court, but assured the public no action was being taken on actually imposing the district yet.
“This court is neither for, nor against, this process at this time. This is a process you will have to have further input, as to whether this goes on a ballot, possibly in May 2023, for voters to ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ on this idea, provided the municipalities want to participate,” said Fauth.
All municipalities in the county are being sent letters, and would have 60 days to respond. That end of the 60 days is when a public hearing would be held.
Commissioner Cox noted that the 60 days would line right up with the Holidays.
“That puts the date around December 23rd, and I think if we are obligated to have his hearing…I think at that point, we have to have it after the first of the year,” said Cox. “Because you are right in the middle of the Holidays, and I do not know what kind of participation you would get.”
Cox prefers the meeting to be held after the first of the year.
The discussion followed about 15 minutes of public comments, where David Tullos reminded everyone that three cities have voted against the ESD Petition: Anderson, Todd Mission, and Plantersville.
Commissioner’s voted to have the ESD Petition public meeting on January 18th, which will be held at 6 pm in the Courtroom.
