Published: November 04, 2009 06:54 am      

ESD 4 voters say no to increase in sales tax rate

With a resounding voice, voters which reside in Orange County Emergency Services District 4 said no to a sales tax rate increase on Tuesday.

By a vote of 228 to 106, the proposition to increase the sales tax rate by 2 percent for Orange County Emergency Service District 4 failed and has left officials wondering what can be done to address the district’s needs.

“I understand people don’t want to pay more taxes, but we still need to buy trucks for the service district,” Williams said. “So now we need input. Whether people think we need to shut (the ESD 4) down or do something else, we need suggestions from the community because this area is growing.”

Despite calling for an increase in sales tax rates, Williams said neither he nor many other members of the board will ever ask for a property tax to offset costs with the emergency service district.

“This district provides service to a big area,” Williams added. “And we have to figure something out. If anyone has any suggestions, I’ll be happy to hear them.”

The next meeting of Orange County ESD board will be at 9 a.m., Monday. Ted Williams can be reached at 409-745-3095 or 409-745-1656.

Although most voters did not want to go on record whether they voted for or against the proposition, one voter, Teresa Melancon, had no such qualms.

“We already pay a lot of taxes,” Melancon explained. “I just couldn’t vote for it. I don’t want to pay any more taxes than I already do.”

According to Williams, 152 ballots were submitted during the early voting process. Of those submitted, 102 were against the tax rate increase while 50 were in favor of the increase.



Tommy Mann Jr. is a reporter for The Orange Leader. He can be reached at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2619 or tmann@orangeleader.com

Teresa Melancon walks back to her vehicle after voting in Tuesday’s sole local election in Orange County. Emergency Services District 4 was seeking voter approval for a 2 percent increase in sales tax, but the proposition failed, 228-106.