Collin County ESD-1 Board Holds Second Meeting

Commissioners discuss tax collection, interlocal agreements, and emergency service contracts.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:35pm

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A close-up painting of a firefighter's helmet resting on a wooden table, with warm light and deep shadows creating a pensive, cinematic mood.As a new rural fire district takes shape, the quiet contemplation of the tools of the trade reflects the gravity of the public safety mission ahead.Princeton Today

The Collin County Emergency Services District No. 1 board held its second meeting, focusing on key operational matters as they prepare to oversee fire protection for rural county residents outside city limits. The board discussed tax collection services, interlocal agreements, and emergency service contracts.

Why it matters

The creation of ESD-1 is an important step in ensuring adequate fire and emergency services for Collin County's unincorporated areas, which have seen rapid population growth in recent years. The board's decisions on tax collection, partnerships, and service contracts will directly impact the quality and accessibility of these critical public safety resources.

The details

At the meeting, the ESD-1 board heard public testimony before turning to routine business items. This included approving a tax collection services agreement with the Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector and establishing the district as a new governmental organization with the Collin Central Appraisal District. The board also discussed interlocal agreements and emergency service contracts, though specifics on those matters were not provided.

  • The ESD-1 board held its second meeting on March 30, 2026.
  • The board's first organizational meeting took place on February 23, 2026.

The players

Collin County Emergency Services District No. 1

A newly formed taxing entity responsible for overseeing fire protection and emergency services in the unincorporated areas of Collin County, Texas.

Russell Schaffner

The deputy county administrator, who advised the ESD-1 board on the need to designate a tax collector.

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What they’re saying

“Since you are going to be a taxing entity — like property tax — you have to designate somebody to actually collect those funds.”

— Russell Schaffner, Deputy County Administrator

What’s next

The ESD-1 board is expected to finalize tax collection and other operational agreements in the coming months as they prepare to assume fire and emergency service responsibilities for Collin County's rural areas.

The takeaway

The establishment of Collin County ESD-1 represents an important step in ensuring adequate public safety resources for the county's growing unincorporated population, though the board still has work ahead to solidify key partnerships and contracts.