Brazos County ESD 2 residents voting on whether to raise the tax rate for a new fire station

BRAZOS COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) – Early voting has begun for the May 4 Special Election. Brazos County Emergency Services District (ESD) 2 has a proposition on the ballot, allowing residents to vote on whether to raise the property tax rate.

If passed, the money would be used to finance a new fire station in the district.

ESD 2 provides fire, rescue and first responder medical services in northeast Brazos County. They serve about 4,500 residents.

According to Fire Chief Harold Watkins, a growing population has led to increased nighttime and weekend calls. They’re looking to increase staffing and improve the response time with the new location.

The district currently has two stations: one in Kurten and one in Edge. The proposed station would be at a more central location in the Tabor community.

“It’s not to replace either fire station, it’s to increase our level of service and decrease our response times,” explained Chief Watkins.

The new station would address increased first responder calls and provide the resources needed for 24-hour staff.

“The two facilities that we have are not able to be upgraded as far as adding any square footage to those,” said Chief Watkins. “We do not have cooking facilities, we don’t have appropriate restroom facilities nor do we have a sleeping facilities to where we could accommodate having staff 24 hours, whether it’s paid staff or volunteer staff working on a scheduled basis, so there is a need.”

The project is set to cost about $3 million.

The proposed tax rate increase would not exceed $0.08 per $100. The current maximum rate, established in 2003, is $0.03 per $100. At the polls, residents can either vote for or against the proposition.

Early voting times:

Saturday, April 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Monday, April 29 through Tuesday, April 30 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early voting locations:

Brazos County Election Administrator Office (McLeod Training Rm) –300 East Wm. J. Bryan Pkwy, Suite 100, Bryan,Arena Hall – 2906 Tabor Rd (Tabor Road & N. Earl Rudder Freeway) BryanGalilee Baptist Church – 804 N. Logan, BryanCollege Station Utilities Meeting & Training Facility – 1603 Graham Road, College StationMemorial Student Center (MSC) –Texas A&M University (MSC Bldg. Room L526), College Station

Election is Saturday, May 4.

Where to vote:

Brazos County Election Administrator Office (McLeod Training Rm) –300 East Wm. J. Bryan Pkwy, Suite 100, Bryan,Arena Hall – 2906 Tabor Rd (Tabor Road & N. Earl Rudder Freeway) BryanCollege Station ISD Administration Building – 1812 Welsh, College StationCollege Station Utilities Meeting & Training Facility – 1603 Graham Road, College StationWellborn Baptist Church – 14575 FM 2154 Rd, College StationChurch of the Nazarene – 2122 E. William J Bryan Pkwy, Bryan

A sample ballot is available here.

Learn more about the plans for the new fire station here.