HAVE YOU HEARD THE SAYING… ‘CHANGE IS INEVITABLE’
Change might be coming to our neighborhood
Emergency Service District
ESD stands for Emergency Service District. ESD’s define a fire department’s area of service and the type of service available: fire protection, emergency medical response, or both. EDS’s are described as a local government unit or political subdivision of the state; however, they are not technically a part of the county government. ESDs date back to the 1940’s old Rural Fire Prevention Districts. Texas voters approved RFPDs, which could levy taxes to fund emergency services. The RFPD grew into today’s ESD. There are over 340 ESDs in 96 Texas counties serving more than 10 million Texans.
WHY are we talking about ESDs in Tarpley now? The continued growth of Bandera County along with the strain on existing county provided services has brought the discussion of forming a Tarpley ESD into focus. A Tarpley ESD can prevent our community from being negatively impacted by the explosive development in east Bandera County.
HOW will this affect me? It will ensure that taxpayer money from the Tarpley area funds fire protection for the Tarpley area. With an ESD that encompasses the current Tarpley VFD response area, this funding stays here and will not be used to fund fire departments in other parts of the county. In lieu of an ESD forming in the Tarpley area, we run the risk of being included in an ESD later that includes other areas such as Bandera. In this instance, Tarpley residents do not have the guarantee their tax dollars will all go to fund the fire department for their area.
Yeah, but WHAT will it cost me? ESD’s are funded by a percentage rate collected from property tax and sales tax. Yes,there will be a tax increase, but the rate of collection is limited by the State. The increase can be less than but no more than $0.10 per $100.00 of property valuation. Bandera County Tax Assessor-Collector handles collecting money.
WHO watches the $money? ESD is governed by 5 Commissioners made up of qualified residents and landowners of the service district. The Bandera County Commissioner’s Court appoints the Commissioners from a list of eligible candidates. ESD Commissioners take an Oath of Office, file with the State of Texas, receive training, and are required to have an independent audit conducted and filed annually. Monthly the ESD Commissioners will meet with TVFD personnel to advise the best use of the funds received.
WHY bother? Our neighbors all around Tarpley have formed ESDs or will be putting a vote to their constituents to form an ESD. In existence are Utopia, Vanderpool, Medina County, Real County, Uvalde County & Kerr County. Medina VFD is placing their formation referendums on the November 2026 ballot. A Tarpley ESD will help keep residents safe by ensuring consistent funding for the fire protection in the Tarpley area. The ESD offers a source of revenue for department needs while spreading the burden of support more evenly across all property owners. This ensures all tax dollars collected are used “only” for our community and department needs.
How can I HELP?
*Register to vote if you are a resident.
*Contact TVFD and volunteer to be on the ESD formation committee.
Need more information?
*Sign the TVFD ESD Petition
*Attend local Tarpley town hall meeting so your voice will be heard.
Email: info@tarpleyvfd.org