ESD2 considering big change,to host public meeting Aug. 12 to hear proposals from Devine Fire and ESD1

MCESD#2 who collects tax dollars to provide fire protection in the Devine area, has called a special public meeting for Tuesday, August 12th because they are discussing whether they will be contracting with ESD1 for fire services or staying with the Devine Volunteer Fire Dept. Costs and options will be presented to the board and it is their hope that citizens will attend to listen to the presentations.
They are having a called meeting on August 12th at 7:00 PM at the firehouse to hear proposals from both DVFD and MCESD1 to provide services to include any or all of the following: full time firefighters, leadership, accounting, maintenance and related services.
ESD2 purchased and owns the Fire House across from Devine High School on CR 5710, the fire engines, and most of the equipment and assets. DVFD has been able to provide the volunteers for fire services for many years, but has experienced a lot of changes in leadership and personnel in the past year, loss of volunteers, and financial problems. The transition to a paid fire department alongside the volunteers has affected the expenses as well.
The ESD#2 regular meeting will be the following week, on August 19 to set the budget and make decisions.
“As always we appreciate participation and really hope that everyone who’s concerned would be able to make it and hear our options alongside of us,” said Abigail Beadle, ESD2 Commissioner. Other ESD2 Board members are President Todd Summers, Jeff Howard, Ken Nighswander, Jerry Stevens.
Devine Volunteer Fire Department currently provides the service with a mix of paid fire fighters and volunteers. Less than a year ago in October 2024, the DVFD added 6 paid fire fighter positions and have recently discovered it needs much more money to keep it going than originally proposed by the prior Fire Chief Greg Atkinson who resigned. In July the DVFD provided an estimated budget with expenses to the ESD2 board by DVFD Fire Chief Jessica Martinez and Office Mgr. Sophia Benavidez.
Fire Chief Clint Cooke of MC ESD1 talked briefly at the July meeting about the various choices ESD1 offers , ability of keeping the local volunteers and department, all while providing leadership and fire services through ESD1.