THICKET, Texas — Voters in western Hardin County will have the chance to make an important public safety decision on the November ballot.
If voters approve the Hardin County Emergency Service District (ESD) 7 Proposition A on November 7, it would turn the Votaw-Thicket Volunteer Fire Department into a new ESD.
Right now, the fire department is barely getting by, according to Votaw-Thicket VFD Chief Bobby Love. This proposition could provide more support and better services to the area.
Chief Love told 12News it would be the only ESD located in the Votaw-Thicket area and Big Thicket Retreat.
"The grants that we have available, a lot of these grants we don't qualify for because we're not an ESD," said Love.
Currently, the Votaw-Thicket VFD is using outdated equipment and weary trucks. But Love believes it has potential.
"We're looking for an ESD which would give us the extra funding to take care of the equipment, purchase new equipment and extend our training," he said.
Right now, the volunteer fire department is relying on the kindness of the community to keep them going.
“We have a BBQ, and we have a car show and we have a turkey shoot throughout the year that brings us around $7,000," said Love.
That money is just enough to cover insurance and utilities, with a few hundred dollars left over, according to Chief Love.
"Our newest truck is a 2008, so everything needs maintenance now. We have what we need to take care of the community but it's on the basic side of that," he said.
That's why they are asking voters to help them make the move towards becoming an ESD.
"This would be an added tax going through the appraisal district and all, the average is going to be about $50 per household," said Love.
This investment would mean newer equipment and medical training for firefighters to better help serve rural residents.
"We just want to support and give our community the best that we can," Love said.
If the proposition is passed, a five member board would need to be created and that $50 increase in taxes for those living in Hardin County District 5 would start in January, according to Love.
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