On April 11, an information meeting was held to present the case for supporting the approval of Galveston County Emergency Services District (GCESD) No. 2. Sid Bouse and George Strong are the sponsors of the petition to get the issue on the May 11 ballot. “We want to make sure you understand the issues at hand”, said Bouse.

What is Galveston County Emergency Services District (GCESD) No. 2?

GCESD No. 2 would be an Emergency Services District (ESD), if approved, which will provide fire protection services and other emergency services. The geographical area would consist of the entire Bolivar Peninsula (HIVFD, CBVFD, PBVFD and PEMS service areas). GCESD No. 2 would be managed by five appointed Commissioners.

How would GCESD No. 2 be funded?

On May 11, 2013, you will be asked to vote “for” a property tax not to exceed $.10 per hundred. The property tax is administered by Galveston County Appraisal District and Galveston County Tax Assessor & Collector, not the District. The District cannot affect your agricultural values. $.10 per hundred would generate approximately $800,000.00 in tax revenue for GCESD No. 2. Tax revenue can only be used to provide fire protection/prevention and other emergency services (i.e., EMS) within District’s boundaries.

Who would be in charge of GCESD No. 2?

Five ESD Commissioners appointed by Galveston County Commissioners’ Court.
Commissioners must own property within the District.
ESD Commissioners control tax rate, which cannot exceed $.10 per hundred.
ESD Commissioners control revenue and spending, NOT VFDs or PEMS.
Commissioners set all property tax exemptions (subject to state mandated exemptions).
Commissioners CANNOT raise or lower agricultural land values.

How could GCESD No. 2 Property Tax be used?

Fund operational costs and expenses related to fire protection, fire prevention, and emergency medical services.
Acquire needed equipment.
Replace inadequate equipment.
Enhance fire fighter and EMT training and safety.
Provide fire prevention programs.
Provide other emergency service programs.

Potential Insurance Savings

Lower Insurance Ratings (i.e., ISO Ratings) could result in reduction of your homeowner and business insurance rates.

What makes ISO Ratings go down (noninclusive list)?
Better equipment;
Better training; and
Better Service.

OVERVIEW

We ARE asking to create an Emergency Services District that covers Bolivar Peninsula (HIVFD, CBVFD, PBVFD and PEMS service areas).
We ARE NOT combining the VFDs or PEMS.
We ARE asking permission for the ESD to assess up to a $.10 per hundred property tax.
We ARE creating a single source of stable revenue to be utilized by the VFDs and PEMS, but the revenue is controlled by the appointed ESD Commissioners.
ESD Commissioners must own property in the District.
ESD Commissioners control tax revenue and spending of same.

Galveston County Emergency Services District No. 2 is supported by: High Island, Crystal Beach and Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Departments and Peninsula Emergency Medical Services.

Bouse further stated, “if we do not put an ESD in place, you will not have an ambulance ready to take you to the hospital. Period.”

State law requires an ESD to initially establish an ad valorem tax, but, once established, the ESD can sponsor another election to implement a sales tax. Sales tax revenues could reduce the ad valorem tax rate.