AUSTIN, Texas — While there were no big candidates on the Nov. 2 ballot, there were some pretty important local propositions. In Pflugerville, voters weighed in on emergency services.
Proposition A would have allowed the newly-created Travis County Emergency Services District (ESD) 17 to provide ambulance services to ESD 2. That district covers parts of Pflugerville and its extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Proposition B would have added a tax, which is why some were against the proposal.
Both Proposition A and Proposition B failed to pass. Sixty-one percent of voters cast their votes against Prop A, and 64% voted against Prop B.
Michael Bessner, board president of ESD No. 2, released the following statement after the election:
“The voters have spoken and while we are disappointed with the result, we respect their decision and their right to self-governance. We are humbled by the trust that the community has placed in us over the years. We look forward to working with other parts of Travis County to continue to provide the most outstanding care to each patient who needs help across our growing community, and we remain as dedicated as ever to providing exceptional emergency fire response for residents.”
The city council has previously proposed entering a contract with Acadian, a for-profit ambulance provider, to meet the community’s needs for EMS services.
Those against the proposal have said it's a double tax because Pflugerville residents would be taxed for both ESD 2 and ESD 17.
"Maybe the first year, it won't be exactly double. But in our experience, taxes never go down. So, once you have another taxing authority, they never go away," said Melody Ryan, a Pflugerville resident who is against the proposal.
But those who were for the proposal said it's not actually a double tax.
"The ambulance service we provide has never been funded," said Josh Stubblefield, president of the Pflugerville Firefighters Association. "We have to pay for it out of a fire budget. So the double tax, it's completely false."
Emergency services in this area have become an important discussion because of Pflugerville's rapid growth. Pflugerville City Council members are also trying to figure out ways to make sure everyone has access, but they're against these propositions. Instead, they're looking into a private ambulance service.
For the latest election coverage, visit KVUE.com/VoteTexas. For results on Election Day, visit KVUE.com/Elections.
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