East Bernard takes first step for ESD
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com

The first step in holding an election to create a Wharton County Emergency District No. 2 to fund the operations of the East Bernard EMS Department was completed Monday with the delivery of petitions requesting a May 10 election.

Department Deputy Director Jeffrey Jasek estimated the department collected between 114 to 120 legitimate signatures, adding some of the pages were actually salvaged from the previously lost petition. He said the department collected 167 signatures but culled out those they knew could not be included. As an example, he said there were 11 signatures from Fort Bend County residents who would not be eligible to vote.

County Judge John Murrile said the court could not take any action other than to accept the petitions until signatures, addresses and voting eligibility are verified.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Philip Miller asked what agency would fund the election if scheduled and was told by County Clerk Sandra Sanders it would be the county's responsibility.

"It will be held at the same time as local municipal and school district elections," she said. "So that should help reduce the cost to the county."

The proposed service area would be similar to Wharton County ESD No. 1, which collects tax revenues for the county's volunteer fire departments. The new ESD tax, if approved by voters, would be collected in the EBEMS service area, which is defined from a starting point of the Hwy. 60 and Alt. U.S. 90 intersection. It would extend east to the Fort Bend County line, west to the Colorado County line, north to the Austin County line and south to the CR 208-Hwy. 60 intersection.

Commissioners also authorized Murrile to sign an interlocal agreement with the city of Wharton for the donation of fill dirt to prepare the site for the new Precinct 1 shop and barn. The price is $254,600 and includes the construction of a 100- by 80- foot shop facility and 200- by 80-foot shed.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Reynolds said he requested 500 yards of fill dirt to raise the level of the construction site about 1 foot. The dirt would come from the excavation of the Santa Fe Drainage Project. The Wharton City Council had previously approved the donation pending the county's approval of the interlocal agreement.