Pflugerville Fire Department wants funding request put to vote

Representatives of the Pflugerville Professional Firefighters Association are asking Pflugerville city leaders to allow a public vote that could increase department funding through additional taxes.

At its Jan. 8 meeting, Pflugerville City Council was presented a plan that would create an overlay district to Travis County Emergency District No. 2—also known as the Pflugerville Fire Department. The proposed new district would split the fire department and emergency medical services (EMS) into two separate funding districts.

"This is a chance for the voters to decide whether or not to increase their taxes to fund emergency response services," said John Carlton, an attorney representing the PPFA.

Carlton told council members that the department is being strained to fulfill its emergency response duties because of the area's expanding population and the state-mandated limits on its funding. The fire department currently receives the maximum allowed 10 cents per $100 of property valuation in tax funding and some additional funds from local sales taxes. The new district would allow EMS to draw up to 10 cents in additional property taxes.

"We are actually drawing money from the reserve funds to make the budget balance," Carlton said.

Before making a final decision on whether to endorse a vote, council members requested the department present some solid numbers on how the additional funding would be used.

"We need to make sure we are spending wisely, not just going out and getting more money," Councilman Brad Marshall said. "These are not insignificant dollars we are talking about."

The council requested a meeting with the TCESD No. 2 board to discuss the funding needs. The two are scheduled to meet Jan. 22, prior to the council's regular meeting.

On Feb. 12, the Travis County Commissioners Court will also consider allowing a public election for residents served by the department who reside outside of the city limits. If allowed, the county would have to call an election by March 1.