Council discusses first responder issues

SHEPHERD — The Shepherd City Council delayed approval of an agreement between the city’s volunteer fire department and the county Emergency Services District, while giving its approval for a reserve officer corps.

City Secretary Debra Hagler said the council tabled action on the fire department agreement on advice from their attorney, Kenneth LaVergne, who said the department needs to approve it first, and then bring it to city to make sure city sees final draft.

Hagler said the attorney did approve legal language, but the council needs a final draft.

The council did agree to renew the lease agreement with the VFD for the property the department uses. The lease is renewed every 20 years.

In a separate matter, the council approved an ordinance to allow for a reserve police officers force, and set a limit of 25 reserve officers.

Hagler said the issue is not state regulated, so council can increase or decrease the number of officers as it sees fits.

The ordinance does require any reserve officers to be TCOLE certified.

In other business, the council:

• approved a request from Doyle Ainsworth to purchase alley property on block 56. Ainsworth owns all property on the block, and there are no utilities buried in the area;
• set Monday as the day to canvass election results;
• set the city Christmas party for Dec. 5.; and
• approved the 2026 holiday schedule.

The council announced that the annual Christmas event will be at Gazebo Park instead of the Community Center on Dec. 6.