MUD Fire Plan

1.  Why did the POA Board of Trustees, along with two other Association Board presidents, ask the MUD Board to start working on a fire plan?

Your POA Board is charged with the responsibility of protecting the POA property owners.  We felt a fire plan for the entire MUD, which includes around 5,000 property owners, would ensure that the fire department chosen will have the available funds to increase and maintain the equipment needed to provide such services as needed to enhance that coverage.  The fire department chosen would not have to worry about volunteer contributions in order to have enough money to continue their operations. In fact, the current administration of the PGVFD was the first to request the MUD to initiate a fire plan in February 2008.

2.   Why do we need a fire plan?

Presently, the PGVFD is dependent on voluntary donations from the residents it services.  It also receives funds from the County for its services, as well as other grants.  A fire plan covering the entire MUD would mean that everyone would be contributing the same amount each month to the fire department selected. As stated earlier, these funds could be available to purchase additional equipment and thus maintain a good ISO rating which directly affects the cost of your fire insurance.

3.   Why does the PGVFD feel that the MUD Board is trying to get rid of them?

To our knowledge, no one is trying to get rid of the fire fighters that have served our community for so long.  As we understand the process, the MUD will draw up a contract and present it to the fire department or departments who wish to be considered.  The administration of the fire department or departments who will agree with the terms of the contract would provide service to the MUD

4.   How much will the property owners’ monthly fee be?

There is information being distributed that the fee will be $10 per month, or $120 per year.  Someone stated that this is the fee being charged to a community/communities served by another fire department.  We really don’t know what the fee will be, but we are confident that the Directors of the MUD will charge the minimum fee required to provide equipment and the services needed to ensure the safety of the community.

5.   Why is the PGVFD building another facility near Waterside?  How is it being funded?

We don’t know.  Originally, one Board member from each of the five associations in the Pecan Grove community were on the Board of the PGVFD.  This was in the time when Mrs. Golden was the Chief, and she was succeeded by Larry Perry.  After the first year of the new administration, the by-laws were changed, and a change in the Board selection process of the PGVFD was made.  Although there is community representation on the Fire Board now, it is our understanding that they are elected by members of the fire department.  Since the POA Board has no direct representation on the PGVFD Board as it did in the past, and neither our Board nor the homeowners in the POA were consulted about the need for the Waterside station, we don’t know the answers.  Therefore, the answers must come from the PGVFD.

We have attempted to answer just some of the questions/concerns that are currently being discussed.  Some of you will agree with our answers/statements—others will disagree.  That is certainly your right.  All we ask is that you have some patience with the MUD Board as they fulfill their task to develop a fire plan for the district.  In the end, the registered voters in the Pecan Grove Municipal Utility District will decide to have or not to have a fire plan.  You may wish to attend the MUD and PGVFD meetings and make your inquiries.