Voters living in Denton County Emergency Services District 1—an area of the county that includes Argyle, Bartonville, Copper Canyon, Corral City and Northlake—will decide what their emergency response times and quality of emergency service will look like going forward, plus the possible creation of a second emergency district.
Zooming in
The item was added to the ballot following a decision by the county to potentially split county emergency responsibilities into two districts in order to help the current ESD 1 save and recover funds.
As previously reported by Community Impact, the ESD 1 faces "significant funding shortfalls" following Argyle District Chief Troy "Mac" Hohenberger falsifying the ESD’s budget—leaving the department with an operational deficit of between $1.5 million and $1.9 million. Hohenberger pleaded guilty May 24 to federal theft of funds and theft or embezzlement from an employee benefit plan, and was indicted.
Currently, Emergency Services District 1 provides fire services and contracts emergency medical services. If voters pass the creation of Denton County Emergency Services District 2, then District 1 would provide fire services, according to county officials, and District 2 would provide emergency medical services.
The creation of District 2 would also help secure funding for in-house services, officials said.
What you need to know
- Early voting runs Oct. 23-28 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 29; and from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 30-Nov. 3.
- The last day to receive an application to vote by mail for this item is Oct. 27, according to the county.
- District residents can vote at 511 South Gibbons Road, Argyle, or at the Denton County Administration Building, 701 Kimberly Drive, Denton.
