COLDSPRING — The San Jacinto County Commissioners Court delayed action on a petition from residents of the Waterwood subdivision near Point Blank to create a second Emergency Services District.
County Commissioner Laddie McAnally said there were questions about how property owners who lived in other states would be affected.
The question was part of a public hearing at the Wednesday Commissioners Court meeting.
Jamie Groskopf, representing voters and property owners of the Waterwood Improvement Association Inc., said the idea was to ensure the subdivision residents had adequate fire and ambulance services, citing problems with their current service. He said putting the issue on the November ballot would be a good investment for them.
He said the WIA has been providing ambulance and fire services in the area of the Waterwood Municipal Utility District, and that there was no current contract with the current Emergency Services District that provides the bulk of the fire and EMS services in the area.
County Judge Fritz Faulkner, while saying he wanted everyone to be happy, was concerned about how much revenue would be generated, since the estimates of $100,000 would not be enough to fund a new district.
“I want the Waterwood folks to have whatever they want, but I don’t know how they’re going to pay for it,” he said.
Most area residents speaking before the court said it would be a simple matter to let the voters decide their fate. Positives for the district would be improvements in response time and in homeowner’s insurance costs.
Not all residents were convinced a new district was a good idea.
Subdivision resident Brandon Lanscomb said he opposes the district.
“The question is not whether we want service, because everyone wants that; the reality is that it’s not feasible, and there are so many people who own lots but don’t live there will not be able to vote,” he said. “There’s just not the funds there. No base to support what they need.”
Commissioner Donny Marrs said it’s the court’s intention to make sure everyone is protected.
In his motion to table the matter, McAnally said the court is not saying no, but that it needs some clarification.
In other business, the commissioners:
• approved a three-year lease extension for the Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of Family Protective Services;
• approved Mark Nettuno as DETCOG representative for another year;
• approved the renewal of health benefits for county employees through the Texas Association of Counties; • approved combining two lots in the Waterwood subdivision;
• declared numerous pieces of electronic and office equipment as salvage and surplus;
• approved the refund of an alcohol fee for an event that was canceled because of flooding;
• approved the sale of surplus items from Precinct 1 Road and Bridge Department; and
• approved paying overtime to employees working through the flooding disaster, provided there is proper documentation.
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