Embedded Files
PRESS RELEASE
AUGUST 13,2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GUADALUPE COUNTY JUDGE MAY FORCE CLOSURE OF LAKE DUNLAP VFD DUE TO FUNDING SHORTFALL
After months of meetings and discussions with county Judge Kyle Kutscher and several of the county Commissioners, Lake Dunlap Volunteer Fire Department had secured an agreement on a minimum level of funding for the 2025-2026 budget year. Unfortunately, when the proposed budget was released, we learned the County Judge had only included 16% of the total funding that was requested.
This funding amount is so low that it may force the Lake Dunlap Volunteer Fire Department to cease operations. This is due to an aging fleet of fire trucks that need immediate mechanical repairs and firefighting gear that is out of date and compliance.
1. July 29, 2025, 4:45pm Lake Dunlap responded to a medical emergency on FM 1044. During that call the responding fire truck had mechanical failures.
July 29, 2025, 5:55pm Lake Dunlap was dispatched to a second call for a fire on W Klein Rd. The apparatus on the first call was less than ½ mile away but could not respond due to mechanical issues. A 2nd truck responded from our station 4.4 miles away, adding valuable minutes to the response time.
2. If Lake Dunlap VFD is forced to close its doors, response times to Fire and Medical Emergencies will double or triple. Property insurance will become much more expensive or even become impossible to get.
The Lake Dunlap Volunteer Fire Department was seeking funding of approximately $213,000 for the new budget (an amount that is 1/10 of 1% of the county’s almost $200 MILLION proposed budget).
At Commissioners court on 8/12/2025, a vote of 3 in favor and 2 against was cast for the proposed tax rate increase. This was the largest Tax Rate increase since 2012. County Commissioner Jacqueline Ott (Pct 1) stated “I cannot in good conscience vote ‘Yes’ on this tax rate that is the highest since 2012 that does not adequately fund fire protection and law enforcement.”
County Commissioner Stephen Germann also voted ‘No’ stating the same reasons.
Both Commissioners Ott and German have been strong advocates for public safety and have voiced their concern for the lack of funding, however it takes a majority vote for this to pass.
We urge all Guadalupe County residents to contact Judge Kyle Kutscher and demand action. The safety of our families, neighbors, and first responders should never be a bargaining chip. It's time to prioritize public safety and properly fund the Lake Dunlap Volunteer Fire Department.
Judge Kyle Kutscher
(Office) 830-303-8867
For any additional information please contact Lake Dunlap Fire Chief Tyler Townsend (830)832-1550 Info@LakeDunlapFire.com
Page updated
Report abuse