VFDs to receive 50% more per call

  • The Yoakum Volunteer Fire Department is amongst the seven DeWitt County VFDs to receive increased funding per service call at Monday’s commissioner’s court meeting.
    The Yoakum Volunteer Fire Department is amongst the seven DeWitt County VFDs to receive increased funding per service call at Monday’s commissioner’s court meeting.
  • DeWitt County Auditor Carrie Rea and County Judge Daryl inspect budgeted expenditures during a discussion at the July 11 regular meeting.
    DeWitt County Auditor Carrie Rea and County Judge Daryl inspect budgeted expenditures during a discussion at the July 11 regular meeting.

    The DeWitt County Commissioners’ Court voted to increase service call stipends for the county’s seven volunteer fire departments (VFD) in response to high fuel costs and enduring drought conditions.

     

    On Monday, the commissioners revisited the June 27 request from Westhoff VFD Chief Andrew Weikel to increase the fire call stipend for VFDs by 150%, from $200 to $500. While they did express sympathy for rising costs and wanted to support the VFDs, the court ultimately approved a 50% stipend increase to $300 per call.

     

    “I believe the presentation was very professional, informative and very supportive of the claims of the needs which we are well aware of because of our own (increased) fuel costs and the cost of doing business as a county,” said Precinct 4 Commissioner Richard Randle. “I feel like it would probably be a very wise choice and good-faith measure to (raise) our stiped to $300 at this point until we can figure out (if more can be afforded during budget workshops).”

     

    Yoakum Fire Chief Mark Herchek agreed with Weikel’s sentiment, saying that Yoakum’s VFD would benefit from the hiked stipend. 

     

    “We need it because of the grass fires. We’re using a lot of fuel and wearing down tires,” said Herchek Monday afternoon. “We raise a lot of our own money through fundraisers. Another $100 is definitely going to help.”

     

    County Judge Daryl Fowler said he planned to speak with all relevant fire chiefs in the coming months to determine appropriate funding for next year’s budget. 

     

    “This is a public safety issue, and the alternative to six or seven volunteer fire departments is to have an emergency services district voted in countywide, perhaps, which comes at great expense because we’d have to staff that with some of these and incorporate full-time people – not part-time or volunteers,” said Fowler.

     

    Although nearly $20 thousand remained of the $50 thousand designated for VFD Fire Calls and Mutual Aid under the Health and Welfare Services Department, Fowler said additional funds could be transferred from the Contingent and Uncommitted line item that was allotted $100,000.