TO: | Honorable Glenn Lewis, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs |
FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
IN RE: | SB1021 by Madla (Relating to emergency services districts and the conversion of all rural fire prevention districts to emergency services districts.), As Engrossed |
The provisions of the bill would convert all rural fire prevention districts to emergency services districts. The bill would take effect September 1, 2003.
Consolidation of the rural fire prevention districts and emergency services districts would alleviate duplication of effort and standardize services provided. Additionally, the allowable ad valorem tax rate for an emergency services district is higher than that of a rural fire prevention district, which would result in better funding of services.
According to the State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts, the fiscal impact to the districts would be insignificant, although the association estimates a cost of about $5,000 per district if the district opts to hold an election to adopt a new tax cap.
Source Agencies: | 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts
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LBB Staff: | JK, DLBa
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