Early voting results show Travis County residents are against a proposition to cut tax funding to Travis County Emergency Services District No. 2.
Of the ballots cast during early voting, 68.82% were against the tax cut.
On the ballot
If the proposition passes, it would eliminate the half-cent sales and use tax the department receives from Pflugerville residents as well as reduce the one-cent sales and use tax it receives from other areas of the district to a half-cent tax.
The debate
The political action committee Pflugerville Residents for Responsible Taxation—self-described as a nonpartisan group of concerned citizens—and the Travis County ESD No.2—also known as the Pflugerville Fire Department—are in disagreement with one another. The PRRT, who filed the petition calling for the tax election, contends the district is overfunded for the services it provides and argues the half-cent tax imposed by the district should be used for ambulance services in Pflugerville.
Meanwhile, district officials say, should the measure pass, it will reduce the department’s budget by 40% and could result in 130 layoffs. Fire Chief Nick Perkins said at the time the tax was approved in 2000, there was no indication it would be used for ambulance services, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
The emergency services district provides fire suppression, prevention and first-response emergency medical care for 77 square miles across Pflugerville and outside of the city. The district also provides ambulance services to residents outside of the Pflugerville city limits.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
