On May 7, 2005, a public vote was taken and passed for the formation of an Emergency Services District (ESD) for the Georgetown Fire Prevention District.
An Emergency Services District (ESD), under the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 775, is a geographical area supported by taxes to provide emergency services within the area that is governed by a county appointed commission.
Emergency Services District #8 was created to allow for improvements to rural fire protection and intended to build a partnership with the City of Georgetown to ensure adequate service delivery is provided.
Boundaries for the District were established by the Williamson County Fire Chief s Association. They identified which fire department could provide the best service based upon response coverage criteria.
In order to provide sufficient funding for an Emergency Services District, a tax is charged based upon property evaluations. The tax rate is set for 10 cents per $100 evaluation.
There are five appointed ESD Commissioners that represent a cross section of the district and meet on a regular basis to determine administrative policy and perform financial oversight of the district. Commissioners are appointed, by the Williamson County Commissioners, for staggered two year terms.
The Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 775, allows the District to start a fire department, adopt fire codes, and establish a fee structure for services. The Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 775, allows an ESD to contract for services. At the current time Wilco #8 is contracting with the Georgetown Fire Department . | 
