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July 31, 2025
Public hearing set for Pct. 2 Emergency Services District proposal
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
On Thursday, Aug. 21, a public hearing will be held on the proposed Bandera County Emergency Services District No. 1, in Pct. 2.
A petition for the creation of the ESD was filed by the Lakehills ESD committee with the Bandera County Clerk’s Office, and if approved would be created and operated under Article III, Section 48-e, Texas Constitution, and Chapter 775, Texas Health and Safety Code, for the provision of fire suppression and medical response in an emergency situation.
The proposal, which incorporates all of Pct. 2, initially included an historic boundary established in the 1970s and agreed upon by the Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire Department, the Medina Lake Volunteer Fire Department, and the Lakehills ESD committee, according to PCVFD Fire Chief Rory Henrich. However, when the petition was filed with the Bandera County Clerk’s Office, that boundary was reportedly changed.
“We were blindsided by the boundaries,” Henrick told county commissioners last Thursday. “I’d say right now that is not in the best interest of public safety.
Pct. 2 Commissioner Troy Konvicka said the county could not accept the historic boundaries as written because they did not satisfy legal requirements. Risé Martin, who heads the ESD committee, said the revised proposal complies with the health and safety code.
“We’ve been very encouraged by responses from property owners. We received the required signatures within 72 hours,” Martin said. “We feel this ESD will provide timely responses for the area of Lakehills.”
Some areas that could be affected with longer emergency response times, according to Henrich, include Medina River Ranch, Bandera Falls, Timber Creek, Spring Creek, Red Bluff Ranch Road, Rio Ranchero Road, Lake Forest Road, Alamo Beach Road, Pops Place Community, Starvation Hill Road, portions of Bump Gate Road, and portions of English Crossing Road.
Due to statutory requirements, County Judge Richard Evans said the earliest the public hearing could be scheduled is Aug. 19, one day too late for the Aug. 18 deadline for placement on the November election ballot.
Konvicka advised more collaboration and conversation between the fire departments and the committee, “instead of trying to push through with a boundary that is disrupting the community.”
“You’re trying to rush a timeline before sitting down to make sure all the Ts are crossed and all the Is are dotted,” Konvicka said. “When you poll the rest of the precinct that does not benefit from the ESD, you will lose their support.”
The public hearing will be held at the Lakehills Community Center, 11225 PR 37, at 7 p.m.
A petition for the creation of the ESD was filed by the Lakehills ESD committee with the Bandera County Clerk’s Office, and if approved would be created and operated under Article III, Section 48-e, Texas Constitution, and Chapter 775, Texas Health and Safety Code, for the provision of fire suppression and medical response in an emergency situation.
The proposal, which incorporates all of Pct. 2, initially included an historic boundary established in the 1970s and agreed upon by the Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire Department, the Medina Lake Volunteer Fire Department, and the Lakehills ESD committee, according to PCVFD Fire Chief Rory Henrich. However, when the petition was filed with the Bandera County Clerk’s Office, that boundary was reportedly changed.
“We were blindsided by the boundaries,” Henrick told county commissioners last Thursday. “I’d say right now that is not in the best interest of public safety.
Pct. 2 Commissioner Troy Konvicka said the county could not accept the historic boundaries as written because they did not satisfy legal requirements. Risé Martin, who heads the ESD committee, said the revised proposal complies with the health and safety code.
“We’ve been very encouraged by responses from property owners. We received the required signatures within 72 hours,” Martin said. “We feel this ESD will provide timely responses for the area of Lakehills.”
Some areas that could be affected with longer emergency response times, according to Henrich, include Medina River Ranch, Bandera Falls, Timber Creek, Spring Creek, Red Bluff Ranch Road, Rio Ranchero Road, Lake Forest Road, Alamo Beach Road, Pops Place Community, Starvation Hill Road, portions of Bump Gate Road, and portions of English Crossing Road.
Due to statutory requirements, County Judge Richard Evans said the earliest the public hearing could be scheduled is Aug. 19, one day too late for the Aug. 18 deadline for placement on the November election ballot.
Konvicka advised more collaboration and conversation between the fire departments and the committee, “instead of trying to push through with a boundary that is disrupting the community.”
“You’re trying to rush a timeline before sitting down to make sure all the Ts are crossed and all the Is are dotted,” Konvicka said. “When you poll the rest of the precinct that does not benefit from the ESD, you will lose their support.”
The public hearing will be held at the Lakehills Community Center, 11225 PR 37, at 7 p.m.