SHEPHERD — While the tax rate proposed by the San Jacinto County Emergency Services District shows no change, effectively the .10 rate approved Aug. 25 is a 10.33 percent increase in revenue for the organization.
The extra revenue comes in based on property tax valuations provided by the County Appraisal District, amounting to an expected $379,065.
The ESD board also approved its 2025-26 budget of $4.25 million, up from the previous budget of $3.662 million. The new budget does include funds for paid firefighters, which the board approved in a previous meeting.
During the public hearing, Ray McCoppin questioned the board on whether the ESD had passed a resolution freezing taxes on property owned by people 65 years of age or older.
Board Member Steven Miller said that his research showed no provision in law that the tax freeze applied to ESD.
