Question 1

I LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE NORTH HAYS COUNTY 911 AREA AND NEED AN AMBULANCE SENT TO A NORTH HAYS COUNTY ADDRESS. HOW DO I MAKE THAT HAPPEN?

Accepted Answer

Please call the Hays County Sheriff Dispatch Center at (512) 393-7876.

Question 2

MY FAMILY MEMBER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BUT I DON’T KNOW WHICH HOSPITAL. HOW DO I FIND OUT?

Accepted Answer

Please call the on-duty Battalion Chief at 512-426-7808.

Question 3

IF I NEED INFORMATION REGARDING A TRANSPORT BILL WHO SHOULD I CONTACT?

Accepted Answer

Please contact our billing company, Emergicon at 972-602-2060 or by email at info@emergicon.com.

Question 4

HOW DO I SCHEDULE A STATION VISIT TO SEE AN AMBULANCE AND MEET THE PARAMEDICS?

Accepted Answer

Please call the Office at (512) 829-4356.

Question 5

WHERE DO I DIRECT A REQUEST FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION?

Accepted Answer

Requests for public information may be directed to info@northhaysems.org or please visit our Contact page.

Question 6

HOW DO I APPLY TO RIDE ALONG IN AN AMBULANCE?

Accepted Answer

You must be 18 years or older to ride along in one of our in-service ambulances. Email your name, request for and reason to ride along to info@northhaysems.org

Question 7

WHY IS THE DISTRICT ASKING FOR A TAX INCREASE?

Accepted Answer

The District’s call volume has grown due to ongoing population growth in North Hays County. More calls mean more demand for medics, ambulances, and staffing.
Currently, our crews operate on three shifts, which requires overtime to maintain coverage. Medics are working a minimum of 834 overtime hours per year. For comparison, the average household works about 280 overtime hours per year.
This level of overtime is not sustainable and can contribute to fatigue, burnout, and slower emergency response times.
The proposed tax increase will allow the District to hire enough additional personnel to create a fourth shift, reducing overtime to approximately 312 hours per year per medic while maintaining current service levels.

Question 8

HOW DOES NHESD NO.1'S TAX RATE COMPARE TO OTHER DISTRICTS?

Accepted Answer

NHESD No. 1 currently has the lowest Emergency Services District tax rate in Hays County by 2 cents, with the average ESD tax rate in Hays County for 2024 being $0.08 per $100 valuation.

By comparison:
·       In 2024, all ESDs in Blanco and Caldwell counties had a tax rate of $0.10 per $100 valuation.
·       In 2024, adjacent ESDs in Travis County had a tax rate ranging between $0.075 and $0.10 per $100 valuation.

Even with the proposed increase to $0.05, NHESD No. 1 would still remain below the county average and well under the rates charged by neighboring counties.

Question 9

WHAT WILL THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE FUND?

Accepted Answer

If approved, the increased tax rate will provide funding to:
·       Hire additional medics to staff a fourth shift and reduce overtime
·       Maintain 24/7 ambulance coverage in all service areas
·       Ensure crews are rested and ready to respond
·       Keep response times in line with national standards
·       Maintain critical equipment and ambulances

Question 10

HOW WILL THIS IMPACT MY TAXES?

Accepted Answer

The proposed rate change is from $0.03 to $0.05 per $100 valuation.

Example:
·       A home with a taxable value of $500,000 would see an annual increase of about $100 (or $8.33 per month).

Question 11

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PROPOSITION FAILS?

Accepted Answer

If voters do not approve the proposition on the November 4, 2025, ballot, the Board of Commissioners will be unable to implement the proposed property tax rate increase needed to hire additional personnel and create a fourth shift. Without this increase, medic overtime will remain at an average of 834 hours per year, above the 312 hours target, and the District will face challenges in maintaining response times and service levels. This could require dipping into existing capital reserves and potentially operating at a deficit, even without achieving the staffing and service improvements outlined above.

Question 12

WHAT WILL THE BALLOT SAY?

Accepted Answer

The proposition will appear in English and Spanish on the November 4, 2025, ballot. The English translation will read as follows:

“THIS IS A TAX INCREASE.

Approving the ad valorem tax rate of $0.05 per $100 valuation in North Hays County Emergency Services District No. 1 for the current year, a rate that is $0.015565 higher per $100 valuation than the voter-approval tax rate of North Hays County Emergency Services District No. 1, for the purpose of maintenance, operation, and funding of District projects. Last year, the ad valorem tax rate in North Hays County Emergency Services District No. 1 was $0.031070 per $100 valuation.”

Question 13

WHERE AND HOW CAN I VOTE?

Accepted Answer

Voting schedules and locations can be found at the Hays County Elections Office website: https://www.hayscountytx.gov/elections

To register to vote, visit: https://www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/index.html
For mail-in ballot information: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/reqabbm.shtml

If you have more questions, please contact us through the “Contact Us” form on our District’s website.

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS