Fort Bend County ESD No. 2 supplies fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the Cinco Ranch community and surrounding areas with 24-hour coverage, including 16 firefighters daily. The ESD was founded in 2002 and is solely funded by property taxes and donations, according to its website.
On the ballot
The ballot will feature only one proposition looking to adopt a local sales and use tax in the district at a rate no more than 2% to help with increased demands associated with the growing community, according to the ESD website.
If the proposition passes, the additional funds for the ESD will be collected via the 8.25% sales tax that is collected on goods and services. It will not surpass the 8.25% limit, but instead more of the funds will stay local rather than going to the state, according to the ESD.
If approved, the department will use funds for:
- Additional staffing ($1.5 million)
- Reducing cancer-causing chemicals, including installing decontamination showers, washers and dryers, and a second set of bunker gear for firefighters ($500,000-$550,000 initial cost with $30,000-$40,000 recurring maintenance cost)
- Adding emergency medical technicians-advanced and paramedic response capabilities and equipment ($275,000 initial equipment cost, plus $170,000 in yearly salaries)
What residents need to know
Early voting for the Fort Bend County ESD No. 2 election will be held at Willowfork Fire Department Station 3 at 2700 Green Blvd., Katy, on:
- April 22-26: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- April 27-28: voting centers closed
- April 29-30: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Registered voters in precincts 1004, 1014, 1038, 1122, 1130, 1133, 1142, 1143, 1144, 1145, 1146, 1148, 1156 and 1159 are eligible to weigh in on the proposed proposition.
Click here to find your precincts by address. To learn more about the May 4 election, click here.
