Taxpayers who receive fire protection services through Wilson County Emergency Services District 1 (ESD 1) will pay a slightly higher tax rate in the upcoming tax year.

Board President Michael Trainer, Vice President Quinten Kiolbassa, Secretary Monica Salinas and Assistant Treasurer Gary Ullmann voted unanimously in a special meeting on Aug. 21 to approve a tax rate of 8.98 cents per $100 of taxable value, a slight increase from the current rate of 8.81 cents per $100 of value. Although the rate reflects an increase, the average tax bill could drop from $336.06 to $299.24.

The vote was preceded by a public hearing on the proposed tariff; according to Fire Chief Chris Thompson, no member of the public addressed the committee during the hearing.

ESD 1 provides fire protection and first responder services for all of eastern Wilson County, including the cities of La Vernia and Stockdale and the communities of Kicaster, Sutherland Springs and Kosciusko. The district began serving the Stockdale area last November after voters approved incorporating the former Stockdale Volunteer Fire Department service area into ESD 1. Taxpayers there will begin paying property taxes to support the service once tax assessments arrive in the fall.