On Tuesday, November 7, 2023 residents of Emergency Services Department #2 (Brushy Creek, Cat Hollow, etc see map…) will be asked to vote for a Local Sales and Use Tax which will benefit your local/neighborhood fire department (Sam Bass Fire Department). If this proposition passes your property tax rates will not increase, rather there will be a 2% sales tax on certain items sold in the ESD #2 area that are not currently at the maximum of 8.25%. Members of the Sam Bass Fire Department (SBFD) would be humbled and grateful for you to vote in favor of this proposition. 

Before you cast your vote, we want to ensure you have the information necessary to make an informed decision. We encourage you to visit our website for more information and submit questions online at (Union Website). Below is information and answers to common questions about this proposition and why we ask for you to vote in favor of it. 

What Is Sales and Use Tax?

Every time you purchase a taxable item a sales tax is collected. Taxable items include all retail sales such as clothes, shoes, household goods; leases and rentals of most goods; as well as services such as lawn care, cleaning services and pest control. Items which are not taxable include most grocery items, prescription drugs, and medical services.

In Texas, the maximum sales tax that can be collected is $0.0825 per $1 (8.25%). Of the 8.25% the State captures $0.0625 (6.25%) and allows any public entity that completes a voter approved process to collect the remaining (2%). Currently most cities including Round Rock, Austin, Liberty Hill and Hutto collect this 2% to help with City and Emergency Services operations. By approving this proposition, you the citizen, dedicate this sales tax to the Sam Bass Fire Department which will go towards the protection of you and your family.

Is This A Property Tax? Will Your Property Taxes Go Up?

No. This is a sales and use tax, which will be applied to all taxable goods and services purchased within the District boundaries. This would apply to local residents and anyone traveling to or through the District who purchases taxable goods and services.

Why Sales Tax?

By having a sales and use tax, WCESD2 would be shifting a portion of the funding for emergency services from property owners to anyone buying taxable goods and services in the District. The District has chosen to seek additional funding through a sales tax so some of the funding or emergency services will be borne by those traveling through the County who also use the District’s emergency services (currently non-residents get the benefit of the District emergency services which are paid for entirely by residents property taxes).

Why Should Sam Bass Fire Department Get This?

The Sam Bass Fire Department covers a rapidly expanding area. Our population along with surrounding populations has increased, traffic, etc. Since 2017 our call volume has increased by 60%, with substantial more development (including Pearson Ranch) expected in the next two years alone. In order to meet the current and future demands while keeping the same quality of care citizens of this community have come to expect, we need additional revenue to offset the rising costs incurred by the rapid population and commercial growth in the area. 

What will Sam Bass Fire Department Do With The Funds?

By helping to increase the Sam Bass Fire Department’s revenue we can better serve and protect you. We will ensure that citizens are serviced by up-to-date apparatuses and equipment. We will use the additional funds for recruitment, benefits, and retention of current and new firefighters—this will help to always ensure sufficient staffing. We will enhance these firefighters by funding more training and continuing education. We will work to make certain that regardless of growth and development, response times remain low.

When Can I Vote?

How Do I Find It On The Ballot?

The ballot will read as follows: 

“The adoption of a local sales and use tax in Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 2 at a rate not to exceed 2% in any location in the district.”

This political ad was paid for by the Sam Bass Professional Fire Fighters Association #5430