SAFE-D

HJR 112 fails by two votes

HJR 112, which would have allowed local voters to authorize more resources for Texas emergency services districts, failed to get the 100 votes necessary to put it on the ballot as a constitutional amendment. After verifying the vote on third and final reading of the bill, 98 representatives voted for the measure. That was an 8-vote improvement from second reading, but not quite there.

SAFE-D leaders had high praise for Rep. Valinda Bolton who authored the bill and worked tirelessly for its passage, even getting out of a sick bed to make her case to House members. "Emergency services districts have a passionate and dedicated champion in the House of Representatives, and her name is Valinda Bolton," said SAFE-D Pres. Don Grogg.

Click here for a list of bills SAFE-D is watching. You can find the text of all bills at www.capitol.state.tx.us

SAFE-D Vice Pres. Keith Lewis (Comal County ESD3) joins State Rep. Valinda Bolton at the podium for a March 12 press conference. Rep. Bolton discussed her bill to allow local voters to increase funding for emergency services districts. They are joined by ESD leaders from across the state.

Creating and Organizing an Emergency Services District

Click here for a presentation to the West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association
(April 23, 2009) by John Carlton, Armbrust & Brown, LLP, Austin.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Almost 300 emergency services district officials came to Austin in January to learn how to help Texans more effectively.

Among the highlights:

LEFT: Travis County ESD2 Chief Ron Moellenberg (left received the Founders' Award recognizing his "mammoth contributions" to the creation of SAFE-D and advancing knowledge about ESD operations.

RIGHT: SAFE-D President Don Grogg (Harris Co. ESD9) presents the first-ever Ladder Award to Parker County ESD1 Pres. Greg Martin. The award recognizes efforts to raise the professionalism of ESDs.

LEFT: SAFE-D President Grogg presents the President's Award to Jimmy Woodard of the Office of Rural Community Affairs in recognition of his support for SAFE-D and member ESDs.

THANKS, SPONSORS
EIGHTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
AT&T CONFERENCE CENTER

SAFE-D appreciates the support of these organizations:

THANKS TO THESE SPONSORS
of the 8th ANNUAL CONFERENCE

DIAMOND SPONSORS
Armbrust & Brown, LLP
Burns Anderson Jury & Brenner, LLP
Coveler & Katz, PC
Government Capital Corp.
Municipal Accounts & Consulting, LP
VFIS of Texas/Regnier & Assoc.
Wells Fargo Public Finance

GOLD SPONSORS
Baystone Financial Group
KA Hickman Architects and Interior Designers
MuniServices, LLC

SILVER SPONSORS
Tax Revenue Consultants
TML Intergovernmental Risk Pool

ORCA manual for ESDs