Klein to get boost in fire, emergency services

Harris County Emergency Services District 16 voters approve tax for fire department improvements

A recently approved 1 percent sales tax in the Harris County Emergency Services District No. 16 is expected to generate between $1.5 million and $2 million each year for fire protection and emergency services in the district. The tax, which was passed May 9, earned 694 votes, or 50.92 percent, in favor of the proposition.

A recently approved 1 percent sales tax in the Harris County Emergency Services District No. 16 is expected to generate between $1.5 million and $2 million each year for fire protection and emergency services in the district.

Poll results

The tax, which was passed May 9, earned 694 votes, or 50.92 percent, in favor of the proposition.

However, there still was opposition from a large portion of the community, with 669 votes, or 49.08 percent, against the proposed tax.

The district previously had tried to get a sales tax approved, but it did not pass, said ESD No. 16 Commissioner Steve Falkner.

Educating voters

This time the district made a significant effort to educate voters about why the money was needed and how it would be used, he said.

All of the funding generated from the tax will be used within the district, and a generous portion of it will be used for the Klein Volunteer Fire Department.

Falkner said the additional income could be used to have more people available on staff at the stations, both at night and during the day.

William Gleason, first vice president of the Klein Volunteer Fire Department, said the department contracts with ESD No. 16 to provide emergency services for the Klein community.

The department is grateful for the approval of the funding, he said.

“Because the Klein community is growing in size and needs and the public is very concerned about how their money is spent, we are working very diligently with the district commissioners to ensure that the community’s needs are met now and in the future,” Gleason said.

Growing area

Falkner said the district is looking to address the population increases in the community.

The existing stations likely will be remodeled to accommodate volunteers who will staff the stations overnight, adding 24-hour coverage.

This could be a positive step in reducing the department’s response time, he said.

Constructing a new station in Gleannloch Farms also will be important, Falker said, because it will help reduce the response time in that area and other communities that are growing around the Grand Parkway.

The district also plans to use the funding to purchase new equipment for fire and rescue response.

“After we know for certain how much money we will receive from the tax, we will decide how to maximize its use for improving service to the community,” Falkner said.

Falkner previously said the sales tax would be received in addition to a 4.912 cent property tax the district already collects.

The property tax is expected to generate approximately $5.5 million this year, he said.

The sales tax will go into effect Oct. 1, and the district does not expect to receive any funding from the tax until sometime in late November or early December this year, he said.

Until then, district officials will be deciding how to use the additional money.