HOT TOPIC ON BALLOT
County voters to decide future firefighter funding
By Lori Thomason

It took 10 years, but Keith Newburn said it's all worth it. And now it's up to voters.

In August, Smith County commissioners approved a measure to put an Emergency Services District for Smith County on the November ballot. With early voting under way and election day approaching, the Bullard fire chief said it's important to keep the message out about the importance of the district.

"I've been with the Bullard Fire Department for 17 years," Newburn said. "And I've been working on this project for 10 of them."

If voters approve the measure, it's a double-edged sword. It would effectively mean a tax increase - anywhere up to 10 cents per $100 valuation, but Newburn said there are and 10 cents is unlikely.

"Realistically 10 cents isn't going to happen," he said. "From the research I've done, it's never been more than 5 cents and it's about 3 cents on average."

And what are the rewards? Well, Newburn said, imagine your house is on fire, but because of rising fuel costs and funding shortfalls, the volunteers can't make it to your home.

Bullard city council put its support to Newburn's cause and one councilman answered that question.

Rodger Johnson said he experienced firsthand both the need and value of Bullard's VFD.

"I had a brush fire in my field a few years ago," he said. "Without them, who knows how far it would spread or how much destruction it would cause?"

The district, if created, would allow money to be dedicated to many VFDs all over Smith County, so departments wouldn't need to rely on what Smith County and municipalities could help them with each year.

It also means that the volunteers wouldn't have to hold as many fund-raisers - effectively begging residents for donations.

The tax, Newburn said, would be collected at the county level.

If approved, it could help funding for VFDs, aiding them in purchasing new equipment, upgrading current facilities and hiring staff.

"It costs $2,500 per person to train as a volunteer and an additional $500 for equipment."

And while Bullard VFD has received many state and federal grants in the past, Newburn sees that money dwindling.

"Some of the grants are no longer available, and the ones still there are so competitive, it gets harder and harder to get the money," he said. In addition, many grants require a monetary match - something that's becoming more difficult to raise.

The biggest need, Newburn said, with VFDs is staffing in daytime hours.

"Every one of these guys works, and we do what we can, but we need someone at the firehouse full time," he said.

Newburn said the cost would be minimal, and it's worth it.

"If you're home is valued at $100,000, it would cost you about $50 a year," he said.

And some of this cost would be offset by a lower homeowners insurance - which gives lower rates according to fire protection.

The Bullard Fire Department holds one big fundraiser a year - a chili supper begun, in part, by Newburn's father, a firefighter himself.

"This is how we fund supplies and equipment," Newburn said. "And along with grant money and other donations, this is how we operate."

Newburn and his group are following the lead of Lindale resident Gary Jackson, who began researching ESDs in the 1990s. Voters approved it in 1996. Newburn and his volunteers

circulated petitions throughout Bullard gaining overwhelming support from residents, he said.

The district would include Bullard, Flint, Gresham, Noonday, Troup, Whitehouse, Arp, Chapel Hill, Dixie, Jackson Heights, Red Springs and Winona.

If voters within its proposed boundaries approve it, then the district is formed. Commissioners would appoint a five-member board to oversee operations.

Efforts to create an ESD began about 10 years ago, but came to a halt when organizers discovered that no official county boundaries exist.

Since then, Newburn and his fellow organizers solicited help from State Rep. Leo Berman.

Berman helped with legislation that allowed organizers to use lines drawn by the Smith County Appraisal District.