Hill County Emergency Services District (ESD) 1 has called an election for November to ask the public to raise its property tax ceiling and authorize the collection of sales tax.
Voter approval would not result in any immediate property tax increase for district residents, but it would give ESD 1 options as the county grows and more demand is placed on volunteer fire departments already facing volunteer shortages and aging equipment.
ESD 1’s mission is to provide fire protection in the district, which includes all of Hill County except for the cities of Whitney and Hillsboro.
ESD 1 President Greg Brown said that more funding will be essential as the county grows, and some paid personnel may eventually be needed to meet the needs of residents.
ESD 1’s current property tax ceiling is $0.03 per $100 property valuation. The district is asking voters to approve raising that cap to $0.08, giving room for growth in future years if needed.
For context, ESD 1 taxes would be $60 per year on a $200,000 home at $0.03, and they would be $160 per year at $0.08, although such a tax increase for district residents is not currently proposed.
The other part of the funding proposal is the adoption of a sales tax in areas where there is still room under the combined 8.25% state and local sales tax cap.
ESD 1 would not be eligible for sales tax proceeds in areas that are already maxed out on sales tax collections, but a rough estimate of the available revenue that could benefit the district was calculated at approximately $250,000.
ESD 2, which coordinates ambulance service, already benefits from collection of a sales tax that ranges from half a cent to one cent, depending on location.
Brown said that the district is working to increase preparedness for both firefighting and rescue operations. “We have to move forward and be ready,” he said.
As residential and commercial growth continues throughout the county, Brown said that the area has seen an increase in vehicle accidents and medical calls requiring volunteer firefighter response.
“We have 15 departments, and we have vehicles on the road right now that were made in the 1980s,” he said.
Only five of the departments have modern extrication equipment that can cut through certain newer vehicles. “We always call at least two departments to make sure one has proper equipment,” said Brown. “Fundraising will be essential as the county grows to put the right equipment in the right area.”
Early voting for the November 4 election date will be conducted October 20-31. Texans will also vote on constitutional amendments on this date, along with any local city and school elections.
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