Monday, July 7, 2025

Lantana's ISO rating improves

The level of Lantana’s fire protection rose from a 4 to a 3, putting it in line with larger communities and offering the possibility of some insurance savings for residents and business owners.

The Insurance Service Office evaluation, completed on May 20, shows a preliminary rating of a public protection class 3/8B with the Argyle Fire District, according to Kevin Mercer, general manager with the Denton County Fresh Water Supply Districts No. 6 and No. 7 and Development District 4.

Ratings range from one to 10 with one being the best, Mercer said, adding that few cities reach the top rating. The rating measures each community’s fire protection within a fire department’s coverage area, considering everything from available water supply to response times by fire personnel, he said.

Larger cities, which tend to have the best fire protection, generally are rated 3 or 4, according to the Texas Department of Insurance website. A few are rated 2. Small towns tend to cluster in the 4-to-7 range.

While many insurance companies use the ISO ratings to configure insurance costs, some do not, Mercer said. The better rating for Lantana could mean some cost savings for homeowners and business owners, depending on the insurance companies they use, he said.

Within the Argyle Fire District, properties within 500 feet of a hydrant and within five miles of a fire station are being assigned a Class 3 rating while other areas not meeting that criteria are rated 8B, according to Mercer’s report to Denton County Fresh Water Supply District No. 6 board members Thursday.

“A 3 is very good,” Mercer said. “It’s difficult to get to a 2 or to a 1.” The higher ranks could entail significant costs to communities, he explained.

In May, Argyle firefighters responded to 25 calls for service in Lantana — about 27 percent of the total calls for service that month, Mercer noted.

In other action, board members:

*Unanimously approved a bid to 3H Concrete for $77,243.50 for annual paving and sidewalk repairs for various roadways and sidewalks in Lantana. The cost will be split between districts 6 and 7.

*Accepted a developer’s report on lot and home sales and move-ins. In June, 22 new home sales were recorded with 10 cancellations including several transfers, leaving a net gain of 12. Year to date, Lantana has seen a net gain of 94 home sales. Lantana has an inventory of 44 homes. Eleven homes have been built with four slated for August, five for September and 11 for October, according to the report.

*Unanimously approved to allow the general manager to proceed with adding school zone beacons, signage and related striping for the Dorothy Adkins Elementary School at 1701 Monahan. Estimated total costs are projected at $41,584. Officials said they were looking at alternative funding to cover costs.

 

Related Articles



Popular This Week