Tomball - Magnolia Edition | May 2026

Government

BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN

Magnolia FD begins planning after voters pass sales tax measure

What this means

MFD already has two new engines on order, with delivery expected in early 2027, Perry said. MCESD No. 10 is also discussing a replacement for Station 186, which is currently located along FM 2978, Magnolia. The new station would be built at 310 Honea Egypt, Magnolia. Officials said future station decisions will lean on call volume and other response data.

Magnolia leaders are moving from campaign mode to planning mode after voters approved Proposition A, a sales tax measure expected to help Montgomery County Emergency Services District No. 10 add firefighters, improve stations and plan future coverage. The measure, which passed May 2, allowed MCESD No. 10 to adopt an increased sales and use tax in areas that have not reached taxing limits, according to prior Community Impact reporting. Over the next few months, the district will work with an Insurance Services Office consultant to build a detailed capital improvement plan, department officials said. The goal is to use data to decide where to add staffing, place future stations and purchase apparatus, rather than make those calls by “guesswork,” Magnolia Fire Captain Bryan Perry said. The additional sales tax will begin being collected Oct. 1, with the first revenue expected around December because of a two-month lag between collection and receipt, according to the department. In Year 1, Perry said the focus will be staffing and bringing existing stations up to the standards of a career department. “We expect this to make a real difference,” Perry said. “As we increase the minimum staffing on each truck, we’ll get more firefighters on scene, which will allow for the emergency to be mitigated more quickly.” The department expects to post firefighter openings sometime after Oct. 1.

How Prop A becomes fire coverage

2026

May 2 Voters approve Prop A, a sales tax measure for MCESD No. 10

Proposed new location

HONEA EGYPT RD.

Oct. 1 Sales tax collection begins

1488

2978

RESEARCH FOREST DR.

Station 186

N

2027

December First sales tax revenue arrives around December due to collection lag

Before you go

Early 2027 Two new engines to be delivered

Residents will be able to track sales tax spending through the district’s normal budgeting process, Perry said. Budgets, amendments and financial information are posted on the department’s website, and spending requires board approval. The department also plans to share updates on social media as projects move forward. Officials said more firefighters on each truck should help crews manage emergencies faster, while additional stations would be the quickest way to reduce response times in growing areas.

Ongoing goals include:

Building a spending plan, ISO consultant helping shape 5- and 10-year capital plans

More firefighters + upgrades to existing stations

Station 186 replacement discussions

Better coverage in fast-growing areas

SOURCE: MONTGOMERY COUNTY ESD 10/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Fast COMPASSIONATE CARE Close to HOME Voted Best ER and Best Urgent Care

AmericasER.com

32784 FM 2978, Magnolia, TX 77354 | 13902 Spring Cypress Rd, Cypress, TX 77429

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TOMBALL - MAGNOLIA EDITION

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