By JOHN CRADDOCK
ESD #1 President

It seems the time of the year for a “State of the Union,” so here is one for North Lake Travis Fire & Rescue (Travis County Emergency Services District #1).
As background, Travis County is divided into 13 emergency service districts. These serve in the county and are funded by taxing 10 cents on each $100 of property values. The 10 cents is capped by the state, so fiscal responsibility is mandatory.
North Lake Travis Fire & Rescue, or ESD #1, comprises 173 square miles and basically covers the area from Cedar Park to the east, Williamson County to the north, Burnet County to the west and Lake Travis to the south.
Raymond Tennison is ESD #1 chief and is supported by one assistant chief, 24 paid firefighters and two administrative personnel. We also have a number of dedicated volunteers who provide fire and EMS support. Our main stations in Jonestown, Lago Vista and on Round Mountain Road are manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The four remaining stations located in Point Venture, Trails End, Travis Peak and Lago Vista are manned by volunteer first responders and house equipment to back up the paid firefighters. The fiscal year is October through September.
The ESD #1 annual budget is $2.1 million and the prior fiscal year ended with a small surplus due to tight budget control in light of economic conditions and higher tax revenues than forecast. Our budget for the current fiscal year includes the same conservative posture. We just received word that our bond rating increased to BBB+ from BBB.
Even in this tough economy, we have several exciting initiatives underway. First, once the new police station is completed we will be trading the station on Dawn Drive next to the Lago Vista Public Library to the city of Lago Vista for the old police station on Bar-K Road.
In Point Venture, we are working with the village, water department and property owners’ association to move the fire department at the outside entrance of Point Venture in a current water department building. The building will be reconfigured slightly to meet fire station requirements.
Lastly, ESD #1 is drawing plans for renovation of the Lago Vista station on Allegiance Drive with plans to begin construction this year.
On behalf of all the staff at ESD #1, we are appreciative of the support we receive from the North Lake Travis community. Please continue to respect the emergency vehicles. Safety is our number one concern both for the community and our fire and EMS personnel. Our ESD #1 board meetings are the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m.,  and are open to the public.
We look forward to continuing to serve you.