Do Kendall County residents feel fire services are important enough to support a tax increase — that’s what County Commissioner Richard Chapman wants to know.
The county has launched an online survey to gauge resident opinion on how to fund possible expansion of the county’s fire and EMS service.
The survey posts facts about the increase in calls of its first responders over the last two years — numbers that show no sign of slowing down as new developments bring more and more homes into the county.
“Kendall County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas and we need to strategically plan to continue to provide these vital services for the safety of our citizens,” said Precinct 2 County Commissioner Andra Wisian. “I am seeking citizen awareness regarding our EMS and firefighting services, the services they provide and how they are funded.”
Chapman and Wisian were appointed by the Kendall County Commissioners Court to champion the online survey, to gauge replies on how county residents perceive the service they receive, and if they are willing to pay more as the service need increases.
One screen breaks down the number of calls — 4,712 — the Kendall County EMS made last year.
“While a county is not required to provide fire services, Kendall County has always seen the importance of working with all involved parties to ensure coverage for our residents,” Chapman said. “We applaud the volunteers and are trying to provide the tools to ensure their success.”
The commissioners worked with OnPointe-Insights to develop a survey regarding fire departments and firefighting services in Kendall County.
“We expanded the survey to foster awareness about county funding for emergency medical services and funding to our county-wide volunteer fire departments,” Wisian said. “We gathered data and talked with fire department volunteers and staff as well as citizens.”
An increase in service calls will eventually lead to a need to increase the county’s ability to respond. How to pay for that response is the end goal of the survey.
Currently, the county- supported volunteer fire departments are funded by a combination of county taxes, donations, grants and fundraisers.
“To invest in additional staffing, expansion of facilities/new stations, fire apparatus ... we may need a small increase in property tax,” the survey states.
“Do people feel fire services are important enough to support a tax increase?” Chapman asked. “If yes, is the interest in a sales tax — which distributes that increase amongst more people to include visitors and those just passing through — or is the interest in a direct tax on property?”
Other questions on the survey — which will remain open for another three weeks — include: — How would you rate the county-supported volunteer fire departments on the services you know about?
— How likely are you to support a small increase in property taxes for fire department funding?
— Optionally, do you have anything more you would like to tell the Kendall County Commissioners Court about fire or EMS services?
Wisian said she would like to see at least 1,000 county residents respond to the largely anonymous survey that only requires a person’s zip code to enter. Other pertinent information is broken into income brackets, age brackets and leaves room for people to leave more information, if they want to take an active role in county action or to volunteer, “I want to gauge citizens’ desire for the county to continue to fund these services and how these services will be paid for,” Wisian said.
The survey can be found on the county's website and Facebook page, or by accessing the QR code below:
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