Push for new County-wide ESD begins as Petition prompts city and county discussions

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

07-25-25

Richard Williams, Heath Sutherland and two others meet outside the Civic Center where this week’s City Council Meeting was held.

  City of Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department heads Richard Williams and Gilbert Ayala are the two signatory petitioners obligating themselves to pay the costs for the formation of a new Emergency Services District presented to Uvalde County Judge Bill Mitchell and to the Uvalde City Council along with signatures of 100 registered voters residing in the County.

  At last week’s Monday, July 14th Uvalde County Commissioners Court and at the Tuesday, July 22nd, Uvalde City Council meetings the next steps for approving the measure were discussed which if approved by both the County and the City, the proposed ESD would go before the voters to decide yes or no on the measure. 

  If approved, the new ESD would add a new property taxing entity which could levy a tax of up to ten cents per $100 property valuation and provide direct funding to pay for fire and emergency services to Uvalde County. 

 At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Councilman Ernest “Chip” King spoke on the agenda item saying this petition would cover Uvalde County but exclude the City of Uvalde. 

 After the council members heard from the City’s Attorney, it was decided the measure must be approved by the County before the city can act.

  According to King, while the City of Uvalde is not part of the proposed ESD petition, Uvalde’s Volunteer Fire Department will continue to respond and help with emergencies within the County. 

 Proponents for creating the new ESD argue that volunteer fire departments serve Knippa. Sabinal and Reagan Wells need the additional funding for needed equipment and other costs. 

  Those opposing the creation of the ESD argue that the County has money available in the budget it can allocate to pay for the services including monies paid annually to Uvalde Memorial Hospital. Diana Olvedo-Karau has been an outspoken opponent creating a new ESD and has criticized the measure several times during citizens comments at Uvalde County Commissioners Court meetings chiding the Court for its perceived unwillingness to alter the budget.

Kaura states that the taxpayers cannot afford to pay additional property taxes. So far, the Court has not officially responded to Karau’s budget cut recommendations.