Ellis County Emergency Services District (ESD) 1 Maypearl Fiscal Overview
Summary of ESD 1 Maypearl and the Services Provided
Ellis County Emergency Services District 1 Maypearl (ESD 1), also known as Maypearl Fire Rescue, is a local government entity originally established by a public vote to provide fire protection and emergency services to specific unincorporated areas of Ellis County.
ESD 1 Maypearl currently operates one fire station, with two credentialed personnel on duty per shift, providing 24/7 emergency coverage for the community. ESD 1 Maypearl employs certified firefighters from other cities to work extra shifts on a part-time basis.
ESD 1 Maypearl is one of about 300 emergency services districts in Texas, including 12 in Ellis County.
ESD 1 Maypearl Serves a Growing Community
ESD 1 Maypearl’s population is rapidly growing and expected to quadruple in the next 5-10 years. This growth has doubled call volumes over the last five years, increasing the need to build additional facilities to provide better emergency response coverage. Across ESD 1 Maypearl’s 89 square mile radius, the average response time is currently 7.5-8 minutes, depending on the distance to the station. While the team is en route within 1 minute, the travel distance across the large service area affects how quickly resources can reach residents. ESD 1 Maypearl’s primary emergency call activity is concentrated in the North and Northeast portion of its service area, but the lack of physical stations in those areas creates a response time gap between available resources and the residents.
Additionally, the current budget is not enough to keep up with the rising equipment and personnel costs, as it costs ESD 1 Maypearl approximately $4,500 to hire a single new employee. The increased demand for service, combined with the rising costs of necessary fire equipment, establishes a funding limit for Maypearl Fire Rescue.
Overview of the Proposed Sales Tax Adjustment
On May 2, 2026, Ellis County residents living within the ESD 1 Maypearl boundaries will vote on a proposed 2-cent sales tax adjustment. The current sales tax rate in Ellis County ESD 1 Maypearl is 6.25%. The proposed 2-cent sales tax adjustment would bring the sales tax rate to 8.25%, consistent with the sales tax rate within the city limits of Maypearl.
If approved, the sales tax would provide ESD 1 Maypearl with the additional funding needed to hire additional staff and modernize equipment, with the goal of reducing emergency response times and maintaining and strengthening public safety services.
Additional revenue may also improve ESD 1 Maypearl’s ISO rating, which will be 4 as of July 1, 2026. The Insurance Services Office (ISO) rates fire protection on a scale of 10-1, where a lower score can lead to reduced insurance premiums for homeowners. By investing in more staff and updated equipment, ESD 1 Maypearl could lower the rating further and decrease insurance costs for the community.
If the measure is not approved, ESD 1 Maypearl will continue to serve its residents using available funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the current sales tax rate?
The current sales tax rate in Ellis County ESD 1 is 6.25% and the maximum sales tax in Ellis County is 8.25%.
2. How would additional funding assist ESD 1 Maypearl?
Additional funding would help increase staffing levels, which would help improve emergency response times and potentially help to lower the ISO rating. The funding would also allow ESD 1 to build more stations in other areas of ESD 1, as well as invest in updated equipment.
3. What is the current average response time?
The current average response time ranges from 7.5 to 8 minutes. As the population increases and emergency call volume increases, ESD 1 Maypearl’s current staffing levels and resources may not be able to maintain the current response time.
4. Why Now?
ESD 1 Maypearl’s staffing levels and resources are unable to keep pace with the rapidly growing population, which is expected to quadruple in the next 5-10 years. Rising costs for fire equipment and gear are also exceeding ESD 1 Maypearl’s current budget. With new hires costing approximately $4,500 each, the current budget is unable to sustain the increased staffing and equipment costs required for expansion.
5. What will happen if this measure does not pass?
If the measure is not approved, ESD 1 Maypearl will continue to serve based on current and available resources.
6. I live in Maypearl, how will this Impact me?
The City of Maypearl’s sales tax rate is currently 8.25%. For residents who live or shop inside City limits, the proposed sales tax adjustment will not affect the sales tax rate or the price that they pay. The proposed sales tax adjustment would only apply to purchases and sales outside the City of Maypearl within the ESD 1 Maypearl boundaries. However, voters inside city limits can still vote on the proposed sales tax adjustment, even if their tax rate will not change.
7. Is this a sales tax?
Proposition A is a sales tax.
8. What and who does a sales tax apply to?
The proposed sales tax applies to everyday items such as clothing, books and beauty products. Essential groceries like milk, bread and eggs (along with prescriptions and over-the-counter medications) are not taxed.
A sales tax expands beyond just local property owners to visitors and travelers passing through the district — who also rely on emergency services when needed — and would help share in supporting these critical resources.
9. What is the estimated revenue with a proposed sales tax increase?
According to a report from 2022, the proposed sales tax revenue is estimated to generate approximately $51,000 per year for ESD 1 Maypearl.
While a 2022 report projected approximately $51,000 annually, sales tax is driven by consumers and shoppers. Due to continued local growth, current revenue estimates could be higher than earlier projections. Revenue generated from this measure would be designated to fund emergency services infrastructure, including personnel and equipment.
10. How is the proposed sales tax different from my existing property tax?
Property tax is based on a home's value and is paid solely by local property owners. The sales tax is based on local shopping activity and would expand the funding base beyond just local property owners to anyone making purchases within the district boundaries outside of the City limits.
11. How will the sales tax impact property owners?
The sales tax would be a new revenue stream. It offers another way to fund the necessary increases in staff and modern equipment.
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