Residents in the Fulshear Simonton Fire Department will have an additional ballot proposition in the Nov. 4 election as the department seeks additional revenue sources to support the growing population in its service area.

The fire department, also known as Fort Bend County Emergency Service District No. 4, serves 106 square miles across north western Fort Bend County including Fulshear, Simonton and Weston Lakes, according to its website.

What residents need to know

The Nov. 4 ballot proposal seeks to allow the department to collect a 2% sales and use tax in addition to the state’s 6.25%, according to sample ballot documents.

However, sales tax may not exceed 8.25% in any area so the department would not be able to collect sales tax in some areas of the county including the city of Fulshear and where other assistance or emergency districts already have a tax imposed, a spokesperson for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts previously said.


District officials previously said the additional revenue could help reduce the district’s property tax rate, lower insurance prices and improve emergency medical services in the area.

The funding could also assist with operational costs including staff, salary increases and a potential $25 million training complex, officials previously said. The complex would feature an aquatic facility, store facility and a mechanical bay to address vehicle repairs.

By the numbers

The district, which is funded solely by property tax, collected $19.93 million, up 17.41% from 2023, according to financial audits.


The increased revenue comes from the growing number of homes in the area, although officials previously said they don’t believe property tax revenue can sustain future department growth.

Looking back

Last November, the district’s request to collect sales tax was denied by 53.77% of the 35,777 voters, Community Impact reported.

However, last May Cinco Ranch-area voters approved a similar sales tax proposition from the neighboring Willowfork Fire Department, also known as Fort Bend County ESD No. 2.


What else?

The proposal comes after the department broke ground in June on its sixth fire station to be located at 3102 Jordan Ranch Blvd., Brookshire. The new station is set to house multiple apparatus bays, a firefighter living quarters, training space and integrated communications technology.

The $6.8 million project, which is expected to completed in 2026 will allow the department to better serve its northern service area, including the city of Fulshear, officials said

What’s next?


The election will take place Nov. 4 with early voting running from Oct. 20-31, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website.