In a heroic act of fiscal responsibility, Lubbock County Commissioners decided that saving homeowners a whopping $2.63 a year was worth gutting the budget for volunteer fire departments. Because who needs hoses and air packs when you’ve got the warm glow of minimal property tax savings?
At Monday’s meeting, commissioners approved only half the “Critical Needs” funding that departments have relied on for years. The $500,000 annual fund that once helped volunteer firefighters replace ancient equipment and bunker gear is now just $250,000 — meaning each department will get around $22,000. That’s barely enough to buy a backup generator and a few nozzles, but hey, at least the parks and “clubhouses” were spared from cuts.
County Judge Curtis Parrish, who actually started the fire department funding program years ago, pointed out the obvious: the “no-new-revenue” tax rate doesn’t actually cover new expenses or inflation. But Commissioner Cary Shaw defended the decision, proudly noting that the average homeowner’s county tax bill dropped by less than the cost of a Big Mac meal. Meanwhile, volunteer firefighters are being told to “do more with less” — which is exactly what you want to hear from the people showing up to your house fire.
Chief Tim Smith from West Carlisle VFD said his department’s new generator is now taking priority after a tornado wrecked their station earlier this year. Hoses and other life-saving gear? That’ll have to wait until taxpayers dig up another $13 next year.
Lubbock County: where saving two bucks is worth watching your fire department hold a bake sale for bunker gear.
https://www.kcbd.com/2025/10/14/lubbock-county-volunteer-fire-departments-face-partial-funding-cuts/
