Focus at Four: Local fire chief discusses community safety after proposition fails on election day
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – May 4th was election day in Texas, and a proposition to raise property taxes to fund a new fire station for Brazos County Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 2 did not pass.
In total, 63% were against, and 37% were for.
The district currently has two fire stations, one in Kurten, and one in Edge.
Just before the election on April 26th, Fire Chief Harold Watkins joined News Three at Six to discuss the importance of the proposition and why the funding was needed.
Watkins said then that the funding would also help with amenities and facilities for those who work for the department.
Now, Watkins said that volunteers are paying the price.
“Volunteerism is at an all-time low across the nation, not just in Brazos County. So we continue to struggle to find volunteers and to keep those volunteers. The two stations we currently have are just limited with what services they can provide,” he said.
Watkins said Tuesday that one of the hardest pills to swallow in the situation is the voter turnout for the proposition.
“The biggest disappointment is not that it was a two to one, you know against the ballot, against the prop. But the low voter turnout, we had less than 10% people vote and that’s just something we would like to see a better turn-out, in any election, especially one for public safety,” he said.
Watkins mentioned that in his eyes, the change in tax rate would have been worth it.
“Unfortunately, the voters decided that on the $300,000 valuation home, the difference monthly would have been $10 a month for fire rescue and first responder services. Personally, I don’t feel like that is something unreachable, but the voters have spoken,” he said.
Watkins ultimately said that he is unsure if or when it will go back on the ballot.
“We would love to have the support of the community, to better serve the community. I’m not saying that it won’t go back on the ballot. I don’t know when it when it would.”
