Smith County appoints board of directors

Councilwoman Pam Frederick is proud of the work the city has done to O.L. Ferrell park -- one of her pet projects. She and the city are getting ready to upgrade the tennis courts

Smith County Commissioners recently appointed five members to the board of the new Smith County Emergency Services District No. 2, a taxing entity that will help fund equipment and facility improvements for most of the county's volunteer fire departments.

Commissioners named Alan Adams, Teresa Campbell, Sara Maynard, Orvice Rozelle and Jim Carlyle.

That board will eventually set a tax rate for the jurisdictions it covers, which includes Bullard and most of Smith County excluding Tyler, Lindale and Whitehouse.

ESD No. 2 would levy a property tax, projected to be 5 cents per $100 in valuation, with the revenues going to 11 volunteer fire departments to help buy equipment, pay personnel and build fire stations.

The tax will most likely appear on tax bills in 2008.

Commissioners also appointed two alternates to the board, Ronnie Goode and Jack Allen.