Loss of Fire Protection

Update: ESD was added to the ballot and passed.

Update: 7-30-11 The petition had enough signatures and was accepted by Commissioner's Court.

Update 7-28-11

Loss of Fire Coverage -

Harris County will no longer provide any money to have fire coverage through the City of Baytown. There is a current petition to have Commissioner's Court put an ESD vote on the ballot for November. The status of the petition is that we may be short some signatures to have this done. If we are short, pending lawyer approval, the HOA may hold a date/time for anyone wanting to sign the petition. (You must be a registered voter to sign) If we can get the ESD vote put on the ballot and it is passed, the cost will be added to your yearly taxes through Harris County. It will be a seperate line item under ESD. The CAP on the charge for ESD can be NO MORE than .10cents per $100.00 value. (Example: $150,000 house can be billed no more than $150.00 per year) The cost of the ESD should be far less than the increase on your homeowners insurance is fire coverage is lost. If the ESD is put on the ballot and passed, Harris County will cover the costs through the implementation process and continue until taxes start being collected.

11-1-2010: The fire coverage for Meadowlake Village Subdivision is provided by the City of Baytown which is contracted by Harris County. As you may know, Meadowlake Village Subdivision is not located within the Baytown city limits. Areas out of the city limits are also referred to as "Unincorporated Areas".

As of March 2011, the contract between the City of Baytown and Harris County for fire coverage in unincorporated areas will expire. If something is not done, the contract may not be renewed because the City of Baytown has changed thier contract pricing from $20,000.00 per year to $20,000.00 per month.

There will be meetings these next six month's between Sylvia Garcia, the Harris County Fire Marshall, and the Mayor of Baytown to negotiate a new contract for fire department services. If we lose our fire coverage with the City of Baytown, our coverage will be provided through Highlands Volunteer Fire Department. This means a longer response time and your homeowners' insurance rates can increase.

What can you do? Call County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia's office at (713) 755-6220 to express your concerns on this matter. Here are a few key points to make:

1. Express how important it is to you to keep your existing coverage through the City of Baytown.

2. Express the safety concerns that losing coverage would impose upon you, your family, your community, and your property.

3. Let them know any recommendations you have.

Loss of Fire Coverage was covered by Channel 13 News...Click here to see the story. 11-4-10

PLEASE CLICK HERE AND READ FIRE PROTECTION FAQ's

For more information, you may visit the website of the Harris County Fire Marshall here: http://www.hcfmo.net/