Klein-area residents were split in deciding whether the Klein Fire Department should increase its property tax rate cap in the May 3 election, according to election results from Harris County Emergency Services District No. 16.
As of 10:30 p.m. on May 3, the race could be too close to call, but unofficial results show 50.22% of voters were not in favor of the measure.
While the ballot proposition would not have guaranteed an immediate increase in the department's property tax rate, it would mean ESD commissioners could choose to raise the property tax rate above $0.05 per $100 valuation in the future if needed.
Officials with the fire department previously told Community Impact a property tax rate increase could be needed in the future to help support operations as the department’s call volume has nearly doubled in the last five years and continues to grow. However, ESD 16’s property tax rate is close to its max of $0.05 per $100 valuation.
Following the transition from mostly volunteer firefighters to mostly paid firefighters a few years ago, the department reported an 86% increase in expenses since 2020.
“Ten years ago, it took about 12 minutes on average to get to a scene. This past month was under six minutes,” Fire Chief Jason Catrambone said in a March interview. “From the incipient stage of a fire, it basically doubles in size every 30 seconds, so that’s why we talk times.”
In addition to facing higher costs for personnel and their benefits, officials are upgrading fire stations originally designed for volunteers to suit full-time staff better. Equipment expenses have also grown with inflation in recent years.
Also of note
All results are unofficial until canvassed. Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide/election-results to see results from all local elections in your community.
