Magnolia Fire Department officials are asking voters to decide May 2 whether to approve Proposition A, a sales tax measure the department said would help it keep up with Magnolia-area growth, rising service demand and long-term emergency response needs.
The context
The measure appears on the ballot as a special election for Montgomery County Emergency Services District No. 10, also known as the Magnolia Fire Department.
According to the sample ballot, the measure would allow the district to adopt an increased local sales and use tax “at a rate not to exceed two percent” in any location within the district.
The big picture
Magnolia Fire Chief Terry Colburn said the election is aimed at closing the gap between Magnolia’s fast growth and a funding model built for a much smaller community.
Colburn said the department has seen call volume, service demands and infrastructure needs climb as residential, commercial and multifamily development has expanded.
“This funding is intended to help the department keep response times reliable as the community continues to grow,” Colburn said. “As new neighborhoods and commercial areas develop, additional stations, equipment and firefighters are needed to maintain coverage and keep response times from increasing.”
Colburn said the department now relies primarily on property taxes, and the proposed sales tax would broaden that model so commercial activity and visitors who also rely on emergency services help fund operations.
He said the goal is to create a more balanced funding stream while helping the department maintain dependable emergency response.
The specifics
If approved, Colburn said the added revenue would support new stations, station upgrades, staffing, fire trucks and equipment, as well as help the department meet national safety standards and keep pace with future growth.
An independent financial analysis, Colburn said, estimates the added tax could generate about $6 million annually, depending on economic activity. He said the department expects the funding mix to shift from roughly 57% property tax and 43% sales tax now to about 57% sales tax and 43% property tax if voters approve the measure.
Colburn also said not every part of the district would be affected. Areas already at the state maximum 8.25% sales tax rate would see no change, while areas that still have local sales tax capacity available would be the ones impacted if Proposition A passes.
“The goal is to stay ahead of growth rather than fall behind it, ensuring we can continue providing the level of emergency service our community expects,” Colburn said.
Looking ahead
If the measure fails, Colburn said the department would continue operating under its current funding structure, but some capital and infrastructure projects would likely have to be phased in over a longer timeline.
Voters can find more information about the election and Proposition A on the Magnolia Fire Department’s election website.
