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Cow Creek well fee demands enflame fire chiefs By JESSICA SANDERS - Staff Writer Volunteer fire departments have joined the ranks of county residents who feel that well-owners' fees are unfair. County Fire Marshal Jeff Fincke said many of the volunteer fire departments get their water from ground wells, and have received letters from Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District demanding payment of well-owner's fees. The fire chiefs agreed that Fincke should write a letter asking for an exemption. "The departments are all 501 (c)(3) non-profits and we rely mostly on donations and fundraisers," he said. "The fee's not that high but it's just another thing we have to save up for." Sisterdale, Comfort, Waring, Kendalia, Alamo Springs and Boerne Rural Volunteer Fire Departments rely on well water for their storage tanks, restrooms and bathrooms. Micah Voulgaris, operations manager for CCGCD, said the district does not currently offer fee exemptions for non-profits. However, he said, Fincke is welcome to come before the board and plead his case. "I've had a few churches who've called about it, but once I explained why the fees were necessary, they seemed to understand," Voulgaris said. "I think the best thing for the fire departments to do is come before the board and ask for a variance." He said the fees are $25 for individuals and $250 for commercial wells. The district revoked agricultural exemptions in June based on recent state legislature, except for monitoring or testing wells.
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