Staff Report
Two “lis pendens” (buyers beware) notices have recently been placed on fire stations. This comes about a month after the Bell County Volunteer Fire Department advertised the Colmar, Calloway and Brownies Creek stations for sell.
The initial notice was placed on the deed to inform potential buyers of the legal issues revolving around the property. According to Bell County Attorney Neil Ward, the notice states the property is currently being disputed in federal court.
The notice lets the buyer know the property could be affected pending the outcome of the federal judge’s decision. The judge has still not made a decision involving the case.
The second notice states the fire stations have been designated as polling places for the Bell County Election Board. Ward said they wanted the potential buyers to realize the stations will continue being used as polling places when an election takes place.
This move is a continuation of the back and forth antics involving both sides dating back to November of 2011. It all started with the closing of the Arjay and Colmar fire stations. Today, five of the BCVFD have been closed.
The BCVFD states the reason is because of the lack of funding from the fiscal court, despite other claims by the judge-executive and fiscal court.
Which means instead of funding needed fire protection, this tax could be funding an unneeded second county judge. I say unneeded because we haven't gotten all the mileage out of the first county judge yet.
For you county employees, how long do you have to work before you get a paid vacation? Just wondering.