Election
BY AUBREY VOGEL
Voter Guide
2025
Dates to know
Where to vote
Oct. 20: First day of early voting Oct. 24: Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) Oct. 31: Last day of early voting Nov. 4: Election Day and the last day to receive ballot by mail (or Nov. 5 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election on Election Day)
Fort Bend County and Lamar CISD residents can vote at any polling location during early voting or on Election Day. Visit www.fortbendcountytx.gov for polling locations. Harris County voters can visit www.harriscountytx.gov for polling locations.
Only candidates in contested elections are included. Go to county election websites for information on uncontested races.
Fulshear Simonton Fire Department seeks sales tax funding
Residents in the Fulshear Simonton Fire Depart- ment service area will have an additional ballot proposition in the Nov. 4 election as the depart- ment seeks new revenue sources to support the growing population. The fire department, also known as Fort Bend County Emergency Service District No. 4, serves 106 square miles across northwestern Fort Bend County including Fulshear, Simonton and Weston
ESD No. 4 annual revenues
$25M
$19,931,960
$20M
$15M
$10M
$7,136,739
Lakes, according to its website. What residents need to know
$5M
The Nov. 4 ballot proposal seeks to allow the department to collect a 2% sales and use tax in addition to the state’s 6.25%, according to sample ballot documents. However, sales tax may not exceed 8.25% in any area so the department would not be able to collect sales tax in some areas of the county including the city of Fulshear and where other assistance or emergency districts already have a tax imposed, a spokesperson for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts said. District officials previously said the additional revenue could help reduce the district’s property tax rate, lower insurance prices and improve emergency medical services in the area. The funding could also assist with operational costs including staff, salary increases and a $25 million training complex, officials previously said. The complex would feature an aquatic facility, storage facility and a mechanical bay to address vehicle repairs. By the numbers The district, which is funded primarily by property taxes, collected $19.93 million in 2024, up 17.41% from 2023, according to financial audits.
0
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
2017
2019
2021
2023
SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY ESD NO. 4 FINANCIAL AUDITS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
The increased revenue comes from the growing number of homes in the area, expected to add 14,695 new housing units between 2025-30, Community Impact reported. Officials previously said they don’t believe property tax revenue can sustain future department growth. Looking back Last November, the district’s request to collect sales tax was denied by 53.77% of the 35,777 voters, Community Impact reported. However, last May Cinco Ranch-area voters approved a similar sales tax proposition from the neighboring Willowfork Fire Department. What else? The proposal comes after the department broke ground in June on its sixth fire station to be located at 3102 Jordan Ranch Blvd., Brookshire. The new station is set to house multiple apparatus bays, firefighter living quarters, training space and
ESD No. 4 Service area
99 TOLL
359
1093
Fulshear
359
N
integrated communications technology. The $6.8 million project, which is expected to completed in 2026, will allow the department to better serve its northern service area, including the city of Fulshear, officials said. What’s next? The election will take place Nov. 4 with early voting running from Oct. 20-31.
23
KATY - FULSHEAR EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook