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TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT

In 2017, the 85th Legislature passed a transparency bill requiring certain special purpose districts (e.g., Emergency Services Districts) to annually provide records and other information concerning finances and tax rates to the Comptroller of Public Accounts (See Senate Bill 625 [SB 625]. SB 625 also required the Comptroller of Public Accounts to create the Special Purpose District Public Information Database, where information submitted by the districts will be assembled, updated, and made available to the public free of charge.

Sound financial policies establish a foundation for the fiscal strength and stability of Williamson County Emergency Services District #3. These financial procedures guide the Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 Board of Commissioners and Executive Staff as they make fiscal decisions regarding resource allocations and annual appropriations. These financial policies assure sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars as they guide Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 in the planning of expenditures and revenues for public services and ensure budget flexibility and structural stability to weather economic cycles. The financial health of Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 must be maintained at the highest level to assure resources are available to meet the community’s ever-changing needs.

In The Perryman Group 2022 Report The Economic Benefits of Cost Savings Associated with Emergency Services Districts: An Analysis Including Specific Regions Across Texas, Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 was identified as the most cost-effective emergency services organization in Williamson County. Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 continues to maintain our process of following a conservative approach to fiscal management that enabled this designation. Budgets for Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 are always balanced – revenues and expenditures are equal – as required by the laws of the State of Texas.

The growth of Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 involves the ongoing implementation of the 2019 Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 Community Risk Assessment-Standards of Cover, the Hutto Fire Rescue/Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 Community Driven Strategic Plan 2020-2023, and the Hutto Fire Rescue/Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 Master Plan/Capital Improvement Plan: FY18-19 – FY27-28. The budget for Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 always maintains a careful balance – focusing on both managing through today’s volatile economy while continuing to maintain a long-term planning perspective and meeting the demands of the citizens. Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 is mindful that this pursuit and investment in these plans during this period of economic turmoil is challenging. Also, the continued implementation of the ISO-PPC report resulted in a Class 1 insurance rating in the City of Hutto and the rural area of Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 – an insurance savings for everyone.

Through the support of the Hutto Community and the dedicated personnel delivering emergency services protection, Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 will continue to improve the quality of fire and emergency service provided. But Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 must not lose sight that this is the “taxpayers’ money”. It must be managed daily. Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 must continue to remain fiscally responsible even though it is a challenge due to Texas legislative financial constraints. Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 will continue to provide the level of service that has come to be expected from taxpayers. In turn, Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 will continue to bring a higher quality of life to the residents of the Hutto community.

Financial Policies

Financial Summary

Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 Population Growth (Average per Fiscal Year = 12.88%)

WCSD #3 Population Growth by Fiscal Year

Williamson County Emergency Services District # 3 Revenues and Expenditures

Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 revenue per capita has risen over the past few years due to an increase in population, construction of new residential and retail establishments, along with a significant increase in Williamson County property values.

Sales tax revenue has increased because of this growth as well. Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 expenditures per capita continues to rise as Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 adds new emergency response staff positions, purchases equipment, and builds additional fire stations needed to respond to increasing call volumes.

Williamson County Emergency Services District # 3 Revenues and Expenditures
Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 revenue per capita
Williamson County Emergency Services District # 3 expenditures per capita

Property Tax Rates

The maximum Property Tax rate that Williamson County Emergency Services District #3
can levy is $0.10/$100 of property valuation. This 10₵ Property Tax cap is established by
the State of Texas Constitution. All purchases (people, equipment, apparatus, facilities)
must be made at or below this 10₵ Property Tax cap based on the adopted budget. These
purchases are known as Maintenance and Operations (M&O) and Debt (Interest &
Sinking [I&S]) funds. A complete property tax history in Williamson County Emergency
Services District #3 can be found here.

Maintenance and Operations (M&O)

Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 has included detailed maintenance and operations information on this page for transparency purposes. Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 maintenance and operations is supported by a portion of the Total Property Tax levied per year. Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 Board of Commissioners approved financial policies guide all revenues and expenditures that are considered M&O and is reviewed annually during the fiscal year Budget development process.

Debt (Interest & Sinking (I&S))

Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 has included detailed debt information on this page for transparency purposes. Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 debt is supported by a portion of the Total Property Tax levied per year. Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 acquires debt directly from financial institutions through a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process to ensure the lowest rate opportunity. Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 Board of Commissioners approved financial policies guide the level of debt acquired by Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 and is reviewed each time new debt is considered and annually during the fiscal year Budget development process. Current debt obligations include:

 

Sales and Use Tax (Outside the Hutto City Limits Only)

The State of Texas imposes a 6.25 percent sales tax across the state. Local jurisdictions can levy a total of two percent; under Texas law, then, the maximum sales tax that can be collected is 8.25 percent. In 2016 the residents of Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 living outside of the Hutto city limits voted for a 2.0₵ Sales and Use Tax (SUT) to be used for the construction of fire stations, the purchasing of fire apparatus, and the hiring of firefighters.

Sales and Use Tax (Outside the Hutto City Limits Only)

Current Financial Information

The Texas Constitution requires local taxing units, such as Williamson County Emergency Services District # 3, to make taxpayers aware of tax rate proposals and to afford taxpayers the opportunity to roll back or limit tax increases.

As a property owner you are encouraged to use the Williamson County Tax Assessor/Collector’s property taxes website to find information concerning your estimated taxes, the taxing units to which your taxes are distributed, the dates and locations of any public hearings where your locally elected officials determine your tax rates, and other important property tax information. Questions concerning Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 taxes can be addressed to taxes@huttofirerescue.org.

Your 2023 property values were available in early August and tax rates were available shortly after. To estimate taxes, please visit the Tax-estimator website.

 

Contact Information

Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 Board of Commissioners contact information can be found here.

Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 contact information:

HUTTO FIRE RESCUE
210 US Hwy 79, Suite 103
Hutto, TX 78634
Phone: 512-759-2616
Email: info@huttofirerescue.org

Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes can be found here.

Williamson County Emergency Services District #3 details for Public Information Requests can be found here.

Historical Financial Information

Fiscal Year 2022-2023 (October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023)

Fiscal Year 2021-2022 (October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022)

Fiscal Year 2020-2021 (October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021)

Fiscal Year 2019-2020 (October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020)

Fiscal Year 2018-2019 (October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019)

Fiscal Year 2017-2018 (October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018)

Fiscal Year 2016-2017 (October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017)

Fiscal Year 2015-2016 (October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016)

Fiscal Year 2014-2015 (October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015)

Fiscal Year 2013-2014 (October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014)