Debate over Funding for Smith County Firefighters

TYLER — A heated meeting Thursday night in Tyler. KETK reports the debate comes during the worst wildfire season East Texas has ever seen. Awhile back, the Smith County Emergency Services District no. 2 board decided to cut property taxes. Since then, firefighters have been fighting for cash. The meeting featured testy exchanges between firefighters and the ESD Board. One involved the Flint-Gresham Fire Department, which claims it doesn’t even have the proper wild-land gear to fight wildfires.

Another heated moment came when the board tabled a fuel reimbursement request by Jackson Heights. The reason? Members from Jackson Heights couldn’t come to the meeting because they were fighting a fire. The board questioned why the fuel bill was 5 times more expensive than in previous months. Firefighters protested that Jackson Heights has seen the worst of the East Texas fires. Soon before the meeting ended, Jackson Heights firefighters returned from the blaze they’d been battling. The board tried to adjourn, but the firefighters objected. Jackson heights explained its fuel request and finally got its reimbursement.

KETK did speak with board member Sharon Guthrie, who said the board is there to make sure taxpayers’ money is spent wisely. In press materials issued earlier, Guthrie said the board has over $1.3 million in reserve for necessary or emergency expenditures. She claimed there is absolutely no danger of running out of tax funds to fight fires. Guthrie added that the board appreciates and values the work the firefighters are doing.