The board approved the proposed 2026 budget in a 3-2 vote during its regular Sept. 25 meeting following a public budget workshop with Cy-Fair Fire Department command staff. Commissioners Rob Paiva and Jaime Martinez were the opposing votes.
The overview
The 2026 budget includes approximately $107 million in total revenue and $102 million in operational expenses, with a surplus of about $5 million. According to a summary of the budget, expenses include:
- $37.92 million for firefighting services
- $29.33 million for emergency medical services
- $6.09 million for quartermaster
- $4.2 million for fleet/vehicles
- $3.79 million for dispatch
- $8.4 million for Station 16
- $6 million for Station 18
- $4.2 million for Station 15
- $4.2 million for Station 17
What they’re saying
Martinez expressed concern with the proposed tax rate, suggesting the district lower the rate and use savings from the general fund balance to cover expenses for capital improvements.
“It seems like we are increasing taxes for the average homeowner, and I’m totally opposed to increased taxes,” Martinez said.
However, commissioners Cameron Dickey and Bevin Gordon said the fund balance will be depleted within the next five years if the tax rate does not account for district growth.
“The objective should always be to have prudent use of taxpayer dollars, [but] there’s a yin and a yang here,” Dickey said. “We can’t seek to provide fast, effective, well-trained [and] well-equipped firefighting and emergency services personnel and then short the amount of money that is necessary to achieve that mission.”
Also of note
The board approved a motion to issue a request for qualifications for district legal counsel in a 3-2 vote, with Paiva and Martinez opposed.
At the last board meeting Aug. 28, Gordon and board President Naressa MacKinnon said the board failed to publicly interview candidates before selecting its current counsel, Mills Shirley, which has been standard practice in previous hirings for professional services.
Paiva objected to the motion, saying it could interfere with ongoing lawsuits involving the fire department. Six lawsuits have been filed against the department as of Sept. 25 relating to “wrongdoings” in the workplace, according to the plaintiffs’ attorney.
“Items relating to the termination or replacement of district counsel present grave risks,” Paiva said. “Midstream removal of Mills Shirley would disrupt pending investigations, compromise attorney-client privilege and endanger insurance coverage.”
The board discussed the lawsuits in closed session and did not take any action. Details are not public as of press time.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. in the Cy-Fair Fire Department administration building, located at 10710 Telge Road, Houston.
