The Story

Old photo of

           



THE ESD1/JVFD HISTORY


 This year, 2025, the Jollyville Fire Department celebrates its 50th anniversary, and Williamson County Emergency Services District No.1 celebrates its 30th. This is the story as I know it. In the summer of 1975, after a fire destroyed a home in the Forest North Estates subdivision, a group of 12 residents from Forest North and Anderson Mill got together and formed the Jollyville Company of the Round Rock Volunteer Fire Department. The group secured a bank loan and purchased an Army surplus 750-gallon 2-1/2-ton tanker. There was a rule that surplus military vehicles had to be repainted, so they accomplished that with some whitewash and a paintbrush! They also borrowed an open-cab 1943 Chevrolet fire engine from Round Rock VFD and used it until they acquired a “real” fire truck, then passed it on to Sam Bass VFD. This vintage fire engine is now on display in the Williamson County Old Settlers Association Fire Museum in Round Rock. The first fire station was a small garage with a leaky roof on Pond Springs Road that the group rented for $1 a year, and the two trucks were kept there.


 In October 1978, the Jollyville Volunteer Fire Department responded to another house fire in Forest North Estates with 17 firefighters and both trucks and, in accordance with a mutual aid agreement, were assisted by Cedar Park VFD and Round Rock VFD, but the house could not be saved. Around that time, Jollyville firefighters were conducting door-to-door fund-raising campaigns and later sent out letters requesting donations to support their mission. For ten years, the firefighters and families raised funds by serving annual pancake suppers at Grisham Elementary School in Anderson Mill, which were loyally and enthusiastically supported by the entire community. 


In 1980, a contract was signed with the Anderson Mill Municipal Utility District (MUD) to provide a $. 03/$100 property tax to fund fire protection and emergency medical first response for half of the current district. The MUD also purchased a new fire engine for the fire department, which was nicknamed the “Jolly Green Giant” as it was a bright lime green, reputed to be the most visible color for emergency vehicles. However, it was not a popular color with the firefighters and after a civilian vehicle ran into it on Hwy 183, it was repainted “fire engine red.”


 On June 10, 1985, the Jollyville volunteers submitted a petition signed by 100 qualified voters and property owners of the district to the Williamson County Judge requesting the creation of Williamson County Rural Fire Prevention District No.1. The County Commissioners Court subsequently heard and unanimously approved the petition for an election to be held on August 10, 1985 at Pond Springs Elementary School. The voters were asked to vote to confirm the creation of the rural fire district and the levy of an ad valorem tax not to exceed three cents ($ .03) on one hundred dollars ($100.00) valuation of all taxable property to be assessed annually. On August 12, 1985, the Commissioners Court reviewed the results of the election; of the 100 votes cast, 99 were in favor and 1 was against. The Court confirmed the creation of Williamson County Rural Fire Prevention District No.1 and the creation of a governing board consisting of five board members; three were Jollyville firefighters and two were civilian residents of the district. 


As the population increased, the need for fire protection and emergency medical first response increased as well. The firefighters raised their levels of firefighting and medical training by attending the A&M Fire School and also certifying as Emergency Care Assistants (ECAs), Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), and Paramedics, still as volunteers, donating many hours of their own time. Eventually, the need for more and better vehicles and full-time firefighters could not be ignored. The high call volume necessitated the transition to a blend of paid and volunteer firefighters. At the time there was some concern about discouraging volunteers but Jollyville VFD continues to function as a highly compatible and effective mixed group to this day and is often cited as proof that it can be done successfully, and we’re all very proud of that. Then, in 1995, the Rural Fire District board held another successful election and the Williamson County Emergency Services District Number 1 was created. It was the first emergency services district established in Williamson County; today, there are 12. We go by several names, including WILCO ESD NO.1, WCESD1, or just ESD1. The governing board consists of five appointed commissioners and sets an annual tax rate, receives and manages funding from district property taxes and sales taxes for the provision of fire protection, prevention, and emergency medical first response services to the district. The ESD Board contracts with the Jollyville Fire Department to provide those and many other related services. The ESD Board provides funding for the station, vehicles, equipment, maintenance, personnel, and benefits; anything required for the successful fulfillment of the mission. The two entities work as a cohesive team with the common goal of serving the district to the very best of our abilities. Between 2008 and 2010, the City of Austin annexed 53% of the district and property tax base. The future for WILCO ESD1 and Jollyville Fire Department looked bleak. With substantially reduced tax revenues and a smaller area to cover, the station in the Anderson Mill subdivision was closed and the current station at 2918 Anderson Mill Road was expanded, providing additional space for offices, vehicles, and comfortable living quarters for on-duty firefighters. In 2011, the ESD1 Board held a successful election to capture the one percent sales tax that was currently available. There was no increase in the sales tax of 8.25%, which was already being collected; it simply redirected 1% from the State General Fund to the district. When this was explained to the voters, it passed with a 100% positive vote. In spite of the comptroller’s low estimate of annual revenue and the high cost of the election, the board was determined to do everything possible to support the district and increase available funding. The sales tax revenue rescued the district, including the residents, the fire department, and the board. We have realized 10 to 16 times more revenue annually than was originally estimated, which has not only kept us in business but has allowed us to offer our firefighters competitive wages and excellent benefits, including medical insurance and a retirement plan. We have a state-of-the-art, safe, and reliable fleet of vehicles, an on-site, realistic training area, and up-to-date, safe, and reliable equipment and gear. The station is comfortable and well-maintained and provides meeting space for many community organizations as well as housing the ESD1 Board and Jollyville Fire Department. And the residents of our district can count on immediate and professional response from firefighters on duty 24 hours a day, 7days a week.


 We’re immensely proud of the Jollyville Fire Department and we’re sure the residents of our district share our belief that we’re extremely fortunate to have such dedicated men and women who are resolute in providing the best possible service wherever and however it is needed. And we’ll always be grateful for the many others throughout the years who selflessly contributed time, energy, and unfailing determination to establish the proficient and steadfast organizations that we celebrate today. 


-Laurie Golding 

President WILCO ESD1



   

The Story

A black and white photo of a fire truck parked in front of an old fire station.

This year, 2025, the Jollyville Volunteer Fire Department celebrates its 50th anniversary and Williamson County Emergency Services District 1 celebrates 30 years. This is their storiy as I know it. Some of the dates are

missing and will be updated later. Laurie Golding


In the summer of 1975, after fire destroyed a home in the Forest North Estates sub-division, a group of residents from Forest North and Anderson Mill got together and formed the Jollyville Company of the Round Rock Volunteer Fire Department. The group secured a bank loan and purchased an Army surplus 2-1/2 ton 750 gallon tanker and an open cab 1943 Chevrolet fire engine. There was a rule that surplus military vehicles had to be repainted so someone had painted the tanker with a brush and whitewash. The “Santa Claus” truck is now in the Williamson County Old Settlers Association Fire Museum in Round Rock. The first fire station was a wood frame garage on Pond Springs Road that the group rented for $1 a year.


In 1978 17 Jollyville firefighters responded to another house fire in Forest North Estates with both trucks and, in accordance with a mutual aid agreement, were assisted by Sam Bass, Cedar Park, and Round Rock firefighters but the house could not be saved. At that time Jollyville firefighters were conducting door-to-door fund raising campaign and later sent out letters requesting donations to support their mission. For nine years the firefighters and families served an annual Pancake Supper as a fund raiser which was strongly supported by the entire community.


In 1980 a contract was signed with the Anderson Mill Municipal Utility District to provide funding for fire protection and medical first response for half of the current district. About that time, the Jollyville Volunteer Fire Department was designated as a Rural Fire District but no additional funding was realized. As the population increased, the need for fire protection and medical first response increased as well, prompting firefighters to raise their levels firefighting and medical training by attending the A&M Fire School and certifying as ECA’s, EMT’s and Paramedics, still as volunteers on their own time. Eventually, the need for more and better vehicles and full time firefighters could not be ignored. The high call volume necessitated the transition to a mixed paid and volunteer department which still exists today.


In 1985 a group of the volunteers held a successful election to form a taxing entity for the district and the Williamson County Emergency Services District Number One was born. It was the first emergency services district established in Williamson County; today there are 12. We go by several names; WILCO ESD NO.1, WCESD1 or just ESD1. There are five commissioners on the board which sets an annual tax rate, receives funding from district property taxes, and sales taxes for the provision of fire protection and medical response services to the district. The ESD Board contracts with Jollyville VFD to provide those and many related services. The ESD Board provides funding for the station, vehicles, equipment, personnel and benefits; anything required for the fulfillment of the mission. The two entities work as a team with the common goal of serving our district to the very best of our abilities.


In 20XX the City of Austin annexed about 53% of our district and tax base. The future for WILCO ESD 1 and Jollyville VFD looked dark. With substantially reduced tax revenues and a smaller area to cover, we closed the station in the Anderson Mill subdivision and added on to the current station on Anderson Mill Road, providing vehicle space and crew living quarters for the entire Jollyville VFD.


Then in 20XX the ESD1 Board held a successful election to capture the one percent sales tax that was available. In spite of the comptroller’s relatively low estimate of revenue and the high cost for the election, we were determined to do everything possible to support our district in every possible way. There was no increase in the sales tax of 8.25% which was already being collected, it just redirected it from a “black hole” to our district; when this was explained to the voters, it passed without a problem. And it saved ESD1, JVFD, and the district we serve. We have realized 10 to 16 times more revenue annually than was originally estimated and it not only has kept us in business but it has allowed us to offer our firefighters competitive wages and excellent benefits including medical care and a retirement plan. We have a state of the art, safe and reliable fleet of vehicles, an on-site, realistic training area, and up-to-date, safe, and reliable equipment and gear.


We’re really proud of the Jollyville VFD fire chief and firefighters, paid and volunteers, and we hope the residents of our district share our belief that we are very fortunate to have such dedicated men and women determined to provide us the best possible service whatever it may be. And we are so grateful to the many through the past 50 years who selflessly gave their time, talents, and energy to build both the organizations that they are today.