By Tim Fleischer
Editor-in-Chief

On Nov. 4, voters in the 115 sq. mile Bell County Emergency Services District #1 will decide whether BCESD#1 can levy a sales tax of up 1.5¢ within its boundaries which are roughly the same as Salado ISD and Salado Library District.

The local proposition is the last item on the ballot which includes 17 proposed amendments to the Texas constitution.
The supplemental sales tax will help the ESD continue its service to protect the $4.8 billion in real property within the district. Last year, Salado Fire and Rescue (SFR) responded to 1,450 incidents, according to Fire Chief Jim Franz.
The proposed local sales tax will not increase the total sales tax above the 8.25¢ rate. It will not affect the Salado Public Library District sales tax rate of 0.5¢ or the Village of Salado Sales rate of 1¢.
Instead, in areas where either one or both do not levy a sales tax, the ESD will be authorize to collect up to 1.5¢ in sales tax from businesses in that area.
If approved, it would affect future sales tax collections for the Village for future voluntary annexations of currently unincorporated area, but not the current boundaries that include the recent voluntary annexations of Salado Town Center to the north and Mustang Springs to the southwest. It would have no affect on property tax levies in future voluntary annexations.
The ESD has four administrative personnel and six firefighters on staff. Two firefighters man Station #2 on FM 2484 per shift for 24-hour coverage.
These are supplemented by the more than 20 volunteer responders.
According to a 2023 organizational evaluation of the ESD conducted by AP Triton, the ESD did not meet the minimum NFPA Standard 1720 once in the Urban, Suburban or Rural demand zones for effective response force.
The NFPA Standard 1720 is six fire personnel assembled and ready to accomplished critical tasks. “This includes two firefighters on the interior or attacking the fire, two firefighters as rapid intervention, one command, and one pump operator,” the evaluation stated in its recommendations.
The evaluation cites that Fire Station 1 “must be relocated because the owner wants to use the entire building, and it does not meet the needs of a modern fire department.”
The 2023 evaluation noted that there are 14 three story buildings in the District. Since then, the Waters Edge complex with about four story apartment buildings and multi-story townhomes were built. The ESD has no ladder truck. The closest ladder truck is in Belton or Jarrell.
It further states that “several pieces of critical apparatus were listed as fair or poor with advanced years of manufacture.” (p. 152)
The evaluation recommended a capital plan for equipment and buildings, as well as a long range plan developed with the community.
Since its formation, BCESD#1 has purchased the major:
2022 Fire Engine: $776,901.00.
2023 Fire Engine: $1,068,836.00
2023 Water Tanker: $437,907.00.
The ESD has the follow future capital investment needs:
Ladder Truck: $1,998,065.40 (Sept. 2026 delivery).
Administrative Vehicles: $100,000.
Brush Truck: $350,000
Tanker: $500,000.
Land for Future Stations.
The ESD has the follow future capital investment needs:
Ladder Truck: $1,998,065.40 (Sept. 2026).
Administrative Vehicles: $100,000.
Brush Truck: $350,000
Tanker: $500,000.
Land for Future Stations.
The ESD has $2.8 million in reserves.
The cost of equipping a firefighter has increased by 108% since 2019, when it cost $12,795.
The cost to fully equip a firefighter is $26,632, based on helmet, $404, Hood, $124, Flashlight, $73, Gloves, $133, Radio, $8,908, Coat, $2,680, Pants, $1,875, Boots, $450, breathing apparatus, $11,985.
The evaluation recommended pursuit of sales tax for additional revenue for equipment, facilities and personnel for the Salado Fire and Rescue.
“We in no way are wanting to ‘Keep up with the Jones’s,’ Chief Franz said. “We just need to make sure we have enough personnel to respond to emergencies in a way that is safe for both the responder and the citizen.”
“Pass or fail,” he stated, “the ESD will continue to serve the residents with pride and compassion.”