Recently there have been a number of questions, speculations, and rumors regarding the 2010 tax increase, salary structure, and funding from the ESD. Below are the facts to help set the record straight. If anyone has any questions regarding any ESD operations, feel free to contact us at 817-556-2212. We will be glad to answer any and all questions. ESD Tax Rate increase In 2010 the ESD proposed a plan to the voters to increase the tax rate from $0.03 to $0.06. The plan specified what the additional income would be used for. The pre-election information sent out by the ESD specified that the funds would be used to: • Enhance the Dispatch Center to consolidate Fire dispatch for the county • Provide paid daytime staffing to supplement Volunteer staffing Monday -Friday • Fund a weekend staffing program for volunteer Fire Depts. • Increase volunteer recruitment efforts through billboards and advertising • Conduct an ISO review of all departments • Require certifications for providers and provide that training to the departments, including CEs • Increase funding to the departments through incentives : o Training incentives (bonuses paid on training attended) o Personal protective equipment cost reimbursement o Wildland gear reimbursement program o Service incentives (bonuses paid based on calls answered) o Emergency repair fund All of these programs have been put in pace and are currently operating. In FY 2009-2010 total funding to the departments totaled $ 1,317,843 After the tax increase was approved, funding to the departments rose to $ 2,190,848 In 2012-2013, tax revenues throughout the county took a steep decline. Total revenue to the ESD dropped by $963,408, a 26% decline. Funding to the departments was reduced to $ 2,036,072, a 7% decline. The majority of the loss in revenue was made up for by reducing spending in other areas that did not affect the Fire Department’s funding. Revenues have continued to decrease each year before leveling off in 2014, In FY 2014-2015, total funding to the departments (including incentives) is $ 1,856,265. These values represent direct payments to the Departments. Indirect costs such as those associated training costs, CE classes, FireHouse licensing, dispatch services, use of training facilities, etc. are not reflected here. ESD salary increases The ESD has a policy that the salaries of each of the three areas of ESD personnel (Administration, Dispatch, and Fire Suppression) would be reviewed on a rotating annual basis (one area each year). This past year a salary survey was conducted for the Suppression personnel. The ESD Board voted to bring their salaries up to the mid-point of the market survey salary. Station 83 In 2008 the ESD hired a consultant to review the ESD operations specifically for compliance with ISO recommendations. The completed report was delivered in March 2009. In the report it states that “the cost benefit analysis does not justify the expense involved in erecting additional stations,,,,.” The report goes on to say “If additional funding was made available to Johnson County ESD #1 the possibility exists that erecting additional fire stations could become feasible.” This analysis and report were done prior to the tax increase and prior to the opening of the Chisholm Trail Parkway. Station 83 was built in direct response to these developments and was done in accordance with the ISO report recommendations. The cost to build Station 83 was $ 563,482.94 EMS The County Commissioner’s hold sole authority to award the contract for EMS services for Johnson County. They may review, revoke, award, or modify contracts as they see fit. Careflite has been the provider for the County for the past 10 years. All ESD departments with the exception of Keene and Cleburne operate as EMS first responders. Keene and Cleburne operate transport ambulances. Careflite does provide specific training classes to the fire departments on request but there is no set, regular training program for our providers through Careflite. The ESD provides EMS continuing education classes on a monthly basis at each department. We will also begin providing Fire CEs this year. These classes are at no charge to the departments. In addition we provide ECA classes at no charge to the providers, and offer EMT classes at a greatly reduced cost. CPR courses are offered as needed for $5 (cost to us for the card). We hope you find this information helpful.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 14:58:30 +0000
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