Staff Report

The Bell County Volunteer Fire Department (BCVFD) has stated they will be accepting sealed bids for fire stations that have been recently closed. The items up for bid include the Colmar Station and property, Calloway Station and property and the Brownies Creek Station and property.

The advertisement states the bids will be opened at 7 p.m. on Oct. 9. It also states the BCVFD has the right to reject any and all bids.

The BCVFD could not be contacted for a comment on the matter.

This move comes after several stations were closed. In June, the BCVFD closed the stations at Clear Creek and Brownies Creek and announced that Calloway was next on the list. The BCVFD also closed Arjay and Colmar fire stations.

Despite several different statements from the Bell County Judge-Executive Albey Brock, the BCVFD states the reason for closing of the stations is due to the lack of funding from the Bell County Fiscal Court.

A month ago, the two sides met in federal court. In an effort to prevent the closing of any more stations or the selling of any equipment, Brock filed a motion for a restraining order. In the motion, Brock stated the selling of equipment and closing of stations would reduce the amount of fire protection in Bell County.

In their defense, the BCVFD said Brock’s motives for attempting to keep the stations open were to drain the BCVFD’s funds in an attempt to destroy the fire department.

Federal court judge Gregory Van Tatenhove has not ruled on the restraining order. Instead, Tatenhove recommended the two sit down and have a mediated meeting.