Firefighting
Emergencies
Medical care
The facts about the Kaufman County Emergency Services District #6 sales tax election.
“As the unincorporated areas surrounding the City of Forney, within the boundaries of Forney ISD and KCESD #6, continue to experience unprecedented growth of new homes and businesses, the KCESD #6 Board of Commissioners worked with residents and the Forney Fire Department to develop a plan to maintain a high level of emergency response services.
After much research, your Commissioners decided to hold a May election to increase our sales tax rate by two cents, from .0625 to .0825. Voters approved a property tax rate increase last year. However, since a little-known state law restricts when and how KCESD #6 can utilize these funds, the new ballot measure will provide additional funding through this different revenue source.
Should the sales tax rate be approved, no increase will occur in your property tax rate despite voter approval last May. Please take a moment to review the facts about the May 6 election.”
Fire Chief Derek Briggs
Continue providing emergency services with professional first responders.
Approval of sale tax election will allow the KCESD #6 to maintain our current level of emergency services provided by the Forney Fire Department and decrease response time, including emergency response during fires, medical crisis, automotive crashes, and critical incidents on ranches and other emergencies.
Fund future fire stations as our community grows.
The sale tax election will allow KCESD #6 to purchase land and build new stations in the future, as Kaufman County continues to be one of the fastest growing communities in Texas.
No property tax increase for KCESD #6 homeowners.
With voter approval, the May 6 ballot measure will provide additional funding through a sales tax revenue source that will be paid by local families and visitors to our community shopping and dining in our stores and restaurants. Your property taxes will NOT go up even though an increase was approved by voters last year.
Early voting is April 24 - May 2.
Election Day is Saturday, May 6.
Frequently asked questions about the Kaufman County
Emergency Services District #6 sales tax election.
How was the election for fire & emergency services developed?
The KCESD #6 Board of Commissioners spent months working with residents and the Forney Fire Department to research and develop a long-term plan to maintain a high-level of emergency response services.
How fast has our population grown in recent years?
Kaufman County has grown more than 40% in the last 10 years, making it one of the fastest growing counties in Texas. More than 30,000 people live in unincorporated areas of Kaufman County, just outside the boundaries of Forney — that’s about 4,000 more residents than live within the Forney city limits. As a result, our average emergency response times have increased.
Why do we need an Emergency Services District?
KCESD #6 is a local governmental entity authorized by the Texas constitution, managed by a five-member Board of Commissioners appointed by County Commissioners. KCESD #6 contracts with the Forney Fire Department and its 911 system to handle fire and medical response services, as well as critical response for automotive accidents, critical incidents on ranches and other emergencies. Prior to the formation of KCESD #6, families living in the rural areas of Kaufman County were served by a small, volunteer fire department.
Didn’t we increase property taxes in 2022 to fund improvements to KCESD #6?
Voters approved a property tax rate increase to fund improved services, technology and equipment used by first responders. However, since a little-known state law restricts when and how KCESD #6 can utilize these funds, the ballot measure will provide additional funding through a different sales tax revenue source that will be paid by local families and visitors to our community shopping and dining in our stores and restaurants. Please note your property taxes will NOT go up even though an increase was approved by voters last year.