Harris County Emergency Services District No. 16 2015 Sales and - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

1 Harris County Emergency Services District No.16 16810 Squyres Road, Klein, Texas 77379-7489 2015 Sales and Use Tax Election Harris County Emergency Services District No. 16 2015 Sales and Use Tax Election www.hcesd16.org www.kleinfiredept.com

2 Harris County Emergency Services District No.16 16810 Squyres Road, Klein, Texas 77379-7489 2015 Sales and Use Tax Election District Boundaries

3 Harris County Emergency Services District No.16 16810 Squyres Road, Klein, Texas 77379-7489 2015 Sales and Use Tax Election The District Today  The community has grown dramatically since the District was formed in 1984  High population density, high concentration of significant target hazards, aging population with rapidly increasing EMS call volume  139,413 residents in a 50 mi 2 area, with millions of vehicles traveled on Cypress Creek Pkwy, State Highway 249, FM 2920, and soon Grand Parkway; each year

4 Harris County Emergency Services District No.16 16810 Squyres Road, Klein, Texas 77379-7489 2015 Sales and Use Tax Election What is an Emergency Services District?  Created under the Texas Health and Safety Code  Chapter 775. Emergency Services Districts  Elected Board of 5 Commissioners  Political subdivision charged to support fire prevention and control services, other emergency services.  May either contract services or be the service provider

5 Harris County Emergency Services District No.16 16810 Squyres Road, Klein, Texas 77379-7489 2015 Sales and Use Tax Election Klein Volunteer Fire Department  Contracted as the Service Provider by the District  Currently has an ISO Class 3 Department Rating  Combination Department  Volunteer Staffing  Duty Crew Staffing  Provides all-hazard emergency services  Fire Suppression & Prevention  Rescue  Motor Vehicle Incidents  Service Needs

6 Harris County Emergency Services District No.16 16810 Squyres Road, Klein, Texas 77379-7489 2015 Sales and Use Tax Election ESD Funding  ESD’s are allowed to raise revenue via ad valorem property tax as approved by voters to a statewide cap of $.10 per $100 of property valuation  Currently ESD #16 has been approved by voters to levy a maximum property tax rate of $.05 per $100 of valuation  Service funding burden falls on property owners within the district  Faced with increasing service expectations, many ESD’s across Texas are challenged by the state cap on ad valorem rates

7 Harris County Emergency Services District No.16 16810 Squyres Road, Klein, Texas 77379-7489 2015 Sales and Use Tax Election ESD Funding  ESD’s are also permitted to collect a sales tax of up to 2% with voter approval  Sales taxes allow non-resident citizens, who are also users of emergency services, to help fund services  Since Harris county is within the Metro Transit Authority, Harris County ESD’s can collect a maximum of 1%  City of Houston

8 Harris County Emergency Services District No.16 16810 Squyres Road, Klein, Texas 77379-7489 2015 Sales and Use Tax Election City of Houston and MUDs  City of Houston has entered into “Limited Purpose Annexation” agreements with local Municipal Utility Districts  City levies a 1% sales tax in retail areas of the MUD and share in the revenue with the MUDs  In exchange for the tax, the city agrees not to fully annex the MUD territory for a specified period of time

9 Harris County Emergency Services District No.16 16810 Squyres Road, Klein, Texas 77379-7489 2015 Sales and Use Tax Election City of Houston LPA Blue = HC ESD 16 Boundaries Red = City of Houston LPA

10 Harris County Emergency Services District No.16 16810 Squyres Road, Klein, Texas 77379-7489 2015 Sales and Use Tax Election Areas for which Funding is Needed  Building a Fire Station in Gleannloch Farms  Rebuilding an aging Fire Station in Memorial Creek  Remodel existing stations to allow for 24 hour staffing  Adding and replacing fire safety equipment  Adding and replacing fire apparatus  Reducing response times thru enhanced staffing

11 Harris County Emergency Services District No.16 16810 Squyres Road, Klein, Texas 77379-7489 2015 Sales and Use Tax Election Cost Factors Capital Expenses Operational Expenses  Apparatus:  Handheld Radio: $1,174  Engine: $650,000  Self-Contained Breathing  Ladder: $1,200,000 Apparatus: $8,250  Tower/Ladder: $1,300,000  Structural Firefighting PPE:  Rescue: $660,000 $3,100  Apparatus Equipment:  Thermal Imaging Camera: $35,000 $12,000  Hydraulic Rescue Tools: $28,000

12 Harris County Emergency Services District No.16 16810 Squyres Road, Klein, Texas 77379-7489 2015 Sales and Use Tax Election Summary  The proposed ESD #16 sales tax would equalize the tax rate within the district to 8.25% (6.25% state, 1% Metro, 1% to either Houston/MUD or ESD)  New revenues tied to local public safety services rather than for the City of Houston  Revenues will be directed towards servicing improving infrastructure and service delivery  ESD #16 would receive 1% of total taxable sales from any new parcels that are not already tied to an existing LPA  Retail areas that are already under current MUD/City of Houston agreements would not see a tax increase

13 Harris County Emergency Services District No.16 16810 Squyres Road, Klein, Texas 77379-7489 2015 Sales and Use Tax Election Questions?