Athens —
The Henderson County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved the boundaries for the proposed Emergency Services District No. 8 in the Murchison area.
The commissioners’ vote opened the door for the Murchison ESD to appear on the ballot in a May election. The county will possibly have three ESD propositions up for a vote May 11, with the Baxter and Westside Volunteer Fire Departments also seeking districts.
ESD elections have become common in the county in recent years because they allow the body to impose a tax to help fund volunteer fire departments to keep up with the rising cost of equipment and insurance.
The commissioners discussed the Murchison Volunteer Fire Department request during the Jan. 29 meeting, as well as a request from the Baxter Volunteer Fire Department, to set a public hearing concerning setting boundaries for Emergency Services District No. 7 in the Baxter area.
The court took no action because a portion of the proposed maps overlapped. On Tuesday, Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Lawrence made a motion to go back to the original map, which placed the disputed area in the Murchison Volunteer Fire Department’s jurisdiction.
Commissioners also voted to set a public hearing for Feb. 26 at 9:40 a.m. concerning whether to accept boundaries for Emergency Services District No. 6 in the Westside Volunteer Fire Department area near Lake Palestine.
In November 2011, voters narrowly defeated Emergency Services District No. 6 by a 49 to 41 count. To call a new election, proponents of the district had to re-start the process and gather the required signatures.
Emergency services districts are political subdivisions of the state entrusted with providing emergency medical and fire services to many unincorporated areas.
A district is allowed to add a fee of up to 10 cents per $100 valuation, in addition to the ad valorem tax charged to property owners in a given district.
In other action, commissioners approved:
• a request from the Henderson County Tax Assessor Collector to refund seven overpaid property taxes totaling $17,000;
• allowing inmate labor to assist in clearing fence rows at the Malakoff Historical Society and Museum;
• payment of 2012 bills totaling $42,971.68; and
• payment of 2013 bills totaling $176,431.95.
Local News
County sets limits
Boundaries approved for proposed Emergency Services District No. 8
- Local News
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Millionaires Club
Tom Denton, who has led efforts to gather tabs from cans, continues the battle to provide housing for parents of children hospitalized while they are away from home.
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Good as gold
The Henderson County Farm and Ranch Tour pulls out Tuesday morning as it has for half a century, but this time, from a new location.
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A little Hope for West
On Thursday, April 18, West, Texas changed. The small community was shocked and devastated with a fertilizer plant explosion. Lives were lost, hundreds were injured and homes and buildings were flattened.
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AISD trustees approve agreements at meeting
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A future investment
Harry and Patti Hogue present a check for $500 to go toward the Splash Pad at Kiwanis Park in Athens. The fund-raising effort is nearing the finish line for the $220,000 project, although donations are still being sought. The Splash Pad is expected to be open some time this summer.
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Ultimate sacrifice
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Charles Parker can do some pretty fancy things with your kitchen utensils and old golf clubs.
Parker’s ideas can be seen on display Saturdays at the Athens Farmers Market. This is his third year to bring his crafts to be sold. -
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AISD hires PBK architects
Athens Independent School District Blake Stiles believes one of the biggest considerations rendered at Thursday’s school board meeting was to choose a company that will carry out construction for security at Athens High School and Athens Middle School. The contractor is known as a construction manager at risk.
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