Tax for fire?

It's not something he's actively pushing, but West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jimmy Ellis planted a seed when he brought up the idea of creating new taxing entity to county commissioners Wednesday.

If an emergency services district was established for the county, a taxing entity ruled by an elected board would take care of funding Ellis' department and others like it.

Ellis said a tax rate of around 4 cents per $100 valuation would be enough to cover the needs - and that would take the burden of funding emergency services off the county every year.

Ellis said the concept has been a big help to volunteer fire departments around the state.

"I'm open to exploring the concept," County Judge Susan Redford said, after pointing out that an emergency services district would have to be established independent of the county.

Ellis said elected officials, much like the county's hospital district board, would dole out tax monies and oversee one-time budget requests.

The concept came up as Ellis and commissioners were working out a budget for Ellis' department Wednesday as part of the ongoing county budget workshop.

In the end, Ellis didn't get everything he asked for, but he said he'll do the best with what he got.

Commissioners approved increasing the department's budget by $6,000 for the next fiscal year. That will give volunteer fire chief Ellis $44,700 to work with - about $3,000 more than he's used so far this year.

Ellis pleaded with commissioners for a boost for all county volunteer fire departments before the decision was made. West Odessa volunteer firefighters have gone on 603 runs in the past eight months - 61 more than they did for all of 2007. Ellis also mentioned skyrocketing fuel costs.

"My runs are increasing," Ellis told commissioners. "This year has been a very heavy year, and we still have a lot left to burn. I don't see fuel prices coming down."

Ellis said he's spent nearly half his budget on fuel this year and asked commissioners for an extra $1,000 a month.

"I don't know what else to do," Ellis said. "We make more than three times the runs of the other volunteer fire departments put together. I don't think this little bit I'm asking for is too much."

He agreed to County Judge Susan Redford's proposal for an extra $500 a month.

Commissioner Greg Simmons voted against the budget increase. He said the county already pays Odessa's fire department to service calls outside the city limits, and the county also funds West Odessa's volunteer operation.

He mentioned pushing for donations to keep up with the fire department's needs since it's an all-volunteer operation.

"To me, it's something the community needs to be made aware of," Simmons said.

Redford said the court didn't fund Ellis' request in full because court members are hoping next year won't be as fire-laden as this year. She said if the need arises next year, commissioners could make budget amendments during the year to help Ellis' department out.

"We're hoping that next year will not be as difficult as this year," Redford said.

Ellis took the funding decision in stride.

"(Commissioners) can't afford to fund us like we truly need to be funded, and I know that," Ellis said after the budget hearing. "We're doing the best we can with what we have."

AT A GLANCE

>> What: A $6,000 2008-'09 budget increase for West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department.

>> When: County commissioners gave their first approval at Wednesday's budget hearing.

>> Why: West Odessa Volunteer Fire Chief Jimmy Ellis said more runs and spiking fuel prices make the raise necessary.

>> How much: The $6,000 budgetary increase will bring Ellis' budget to $44,700, about $3,000 more than what he's used so far this year.