TRAVIS COUNTY EMERGENCY
SERVICES DISTRICT 7
Travis County Emergency Services District No. 7 Annexation Election Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Board of Commissioners (the "Board") of Travis County Emergency Services District No. 7 (“TCESD 7”, or the "District") has called for an annexation proposition to be placed on the ballot for the May 1, 2021 Election. If approved by voters, this proposition would authorize the District to add all areas and boundaries of the Leander extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) which are currently included in Travis County Emergency Services District No. 1 (TCESD 1), but not included in TCESD 7, for emergency medical services (EMS).
To ensure that residents and other constituents of the District have accurate information regarding the proposed authorization and the Board’s goals for the District, answers to common questions are provided below. This page will be updated periodically to address additional questions and provide supplemental information prior to the election.
What is Travis County Emergency Services District No. 7?
An Emergency Services District (“ESD”) is a local government created by voters in an area to provide fire protection, emergency medical services, or both. More than 300 districts are operating in Texas, and more are added at almost every uniform election date.
TCESD No. 7 is the government entity that collects property taxes to provide funding for emergency medical services, or EMS, response to the residents within the District boundaries. TCESD 1 provides fire protection services, fire protection and EMS staff, and response apparatus and equipment in the same district areas, as well as the areas of the Leander ETJ previously excluded from TCESD 7.
What is an annexation election?
Under Texas statutes, TCESD 7 can expand its taxing district through annexation of territory that lies within the District’s designated service area.
Annexation most commonly occurs through "annexation by election." This is when residents of a service area community petition to join the emergency services district. The Board of Commissioners considered the petition residents filed and, by a majority vote of the Board early in 2021, called for an annexation election in the community so voters can decide to vote for or against the proposition.
When a community approves annexation, residents begin paying ad valorem taxes to the District in exchange for services. The annexed community also gains voting rights in all future TCESD 7 elections.
Why is the District asking for this annexation?
The Board of Commissioners of TCESD 7 has been providing EMS funding for services to the Leander ETJ since its formation, and this annexation would allow the department to continue to stand up the EMS already in place and servicing those areas.
Through analysis, the District has identified the gaps in territory creation that omitted the Leander ETJ area when it was initially created and wants to continue providing the services currently being subsidized by the rest of TCESD 7 by asking for voters to authorize this annexation and collect property tax revenue from the potentially annexed areas.
How will the additional funding be used?
The annexation and subsequent additional property tax revenue from those annexed would allow TCESD 7 additional funding for those services already being provided to the Leander ETJ, and would bring the two ESDs, TCESD 1 & 7, to have identical overlays for provided services.
What happens if the annexation proposition fails?
If voters do not approve the annexation proposition on the May 1, 2021 ballot, the Board will continue to provide the services to the Leander ETJ but may have to review and revise funding and response times to those areas that reside outside the current District boundaries.
What will the ballot look like?
The May 1, 2021 ballot will ask residents to vote for or against an annexation election authorization, for the entity Travis County Emergency Services District No. 7. It will read as follows:
Proposition A:
"Adding the areas within the City of Leander's extraterritorial jurisdiction ("ETJ") which are currently included in Travis County Emergency Services District No. 1 for fire protection, but which are not currently included in Travis County Emergency Services District No. 7 for Emergency Medical Services, which would include, but not be limited to, the Sandy Creek neighborhood which includes the Honeycomb Hollow and Palomino Ranch subdivisions.”
Voters will need to be looking for this language if they wish to cast their vote regarding the proposition for TCESD 7.
When, where, and how can I vote?
Qualified voters residing in Travis County Emergency Services District No. 7, and in the territory to be added, may vote in the appropriate polling place designated for the election.
Early voting begins Monday, April 19, 2021 and ends on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, for the following hours:
Monday – Saturday (7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
Sunday (Noon – 6 p.m.)
Join us for the Resident Information Webinar
The Board of Commissioners of Travis County Emergency Services District No. 7 cordially invites the residents of the District to our Resident Information Webinar to discuss the upcoming annexation proposition on the May 2021 ballot.
This event will feature exhibits showing the plans and goals for the District, and the Commissioners and District consultants will be present to answer questions. Residents can prepare for the event by reviewing posted information regarding the election.
When: Monday, April 19th 7:00pm
Please register for Travis Co. ESD 7 - Virtual Election Education Event on Apr 19, 2021 7:00 PM CDT at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2609932055531954960
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
You might also like
Latest News
Physical Address:
Fire Department Administration Office
18300 Park Drive
Jonestown, Texas 78645
(512) 267-0080