ESD January Agenda

The Johnson County Emergency Services District has some interesting items on their agenda for tonight's meeting.  First is the election of their board officers.  It seems they are putting the cart before horse since Commissioner John Matthews has another nominee ready to replace ESD President Glenn Reue.  The point of reelecting board officers each year is because the board lineup is subject to change.  To not allow the newest member of the board the option to make an officer nomination and vote is at least in bad taste and rather manipulative looking from a public point of view.  My sources tell me that the new officer lineup has pretty much already been determined though.  I wonder how that could happen without violating the Texas Open Meetings Act? If the rumor that Commissioner Jerry Stringer's appointee, Keith Kelly, will be the new ESD president then that doesn't say very much for the rest of the board's view as to what constitutes a good leader after his performance last year. Officer elections should be tabled until the new board is established.

Also on the agenda is discussion and possible action on financing a couple fire trucks.  Any ESD debt is concerning news for Joshua, Keene and Alvarado since all three municipalities will become liable for that debt as well.  That's another reason we need legislative changes regarding municipalities and ESD's.  It's like being in a marriage where one spouse can run up the credit cards as high as they want, the other spouse can't do anything about it and no divorce option is available.  Our lawmakers have failed us terribly in this respect.

A.J.