As Election Day results roll in, results show the majority of voters are in favor of two propositions allowing Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 9 and No. 2 to retain local sales and use tax revenue.
As of 10:37 p.m. May 3, the ESD 2 proposition has received 199 votes in favor of it, or 70.57% of the vote, and 83 votes against it.
The ESD 9 proposition received 176 votes in favor of it, or 63.77% of the vote, and 100 votes against it.
Posted 8:38 p.m., May 3
A proposition that would allow Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 9 and No. 2 to retain up to 2% of local sales tax revenue is supported by a majority of early voters.
What you need to know
According to unofficial early voting results from Williamson County, the ESD 2 proposition has so far received 88 votes in favor of it, or 65.67% of the vote, and 46 votes against it. Additionally, the ESD 9 proposition has received 97 votes in favor of it, or 64.24% of the vote, and 54 votes against it.
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% to help fund the districts’ financial needs, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Diving in deeper
The tax would apply to residents and visitors who purchase taxable goods and services in the districts. ESD 2 provides services for residents living near the Bushy Creek municipal utility district, while ESD 9 covers territories near Leander and Round Rock, according to county documents.
Both ESDs work alongside the Sam Bass Fire Department, while ESD 9 also works with Round Rock and Leander fire departments, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
How it works
According to ESD 9, the additional tax revenue would be used to:
- Expand equipment, apparatus maintenance and replacement programs
- Enhance wildland, and search and rescue resources
- Mitigate risks in wildland and greenbelt areas
- 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
What else?
In early voting, there were 8,955 ballots cast countywide, which represents 3.19% of Williamson County's 280,561 eligible voters in the May 3 election.
Totals from ballots cast May 3 have yet to be released. Polls closed at 7 p.m., although voters who were in line at 7 p.m. were still able to cast ballots.
Stay tuned
Community Impact will update this article as more election day vote totals are released. All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide/round-rock/ to see results from all local elections in your community.
