Both Williamson County Emergency Services Districts No. 9 and No. 2 are asking voters to approve a local sales and use tax in the May 3 election.

What’s on the ballot?

If approved, the propositions would authorize ESD 9 and ESD 2 to receive up to 2% in local sales and use tax in all areas not already at the state maximum of 8.25%.

Listed as Proposition A on the ballot for both elections, the additional tax would be used to fund financial needs of the districts, according to their websites. The tax would apply to residents and visitors who purchase taxable goods and services in the districts.

Both ESDs work alongside the Sam Bass Fire Department, while ESD 9 also works with Round Rock and Leander fire departments, according to its website.
Registered voters living in the boundaries of ESD 9 or ESD 2 are eligible to vote on Proposition A for their respective district in the May 3 election.


The impact

According to ESD 9’s website, the additional tax revenue would be used to:
  • Meet the rising demand for emergency services
  • Enhance wildland, and search and rescue resources
  • Mitigate risks in wildland and greenbelt areas
ESD 2 officials state the district would use funds to:
  • Recruit, retain and maintain adequate staff
  • Fund more training and continuing education for firefighters
  • Obtain up-to-date apparatuses and life saving equipment for citizens
  • Ensure response times remain low
In November 2023, voters in ESD 2 passed a sales and use tax proposition which was later nullified by the Texas Comptroller's Office due to incorrect ballot language, according to a news release.

At the polls

Early voting began April 22 and goes through April 29, according to Williamson County’s website. Election day is May 3.




Click here for a list of Election Day polling locations, which will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Early voting times are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. through April 26, and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. April 28-29.

Residents can vote at any voting station in the county in which they are registered to vote. Voters should bring one of seven forms of identification to the polls, and a list of valid IDs can be found here.