About Our Department
The Magnolia Fire Department has served this community since 1952 — starting with a donated engine and growing into a professional 9-station department across 164 square miles of Montgomery County. We operate today as a direct service provider with 168 employees under Montgomery County E.S.D. 10, holding an ISO Class 2/10 fire protection rating.
A Growing Community
Magnolia is one of the fastest-growing areas in the Houston region. That growth is exciting — but it places real, measurable demands on emergency services that must be planned for today.
30,000+ New Homes Planned
With 3,500+ homes added annually, plus multi-family and assisted living developments.
Click to view map →
14% Annual Call Volume Growth
Emergency call volume has increased approximately 14% per year — outpacing our current capacity.
Click to view chart →
Expanding Commercial Base
New businesses and commercial developments bring both economic opportunity and increased emergency service demands.
How MFD Is Funded
MFD currently operates on two revenue sources: a property tax and a local sales tax. The current ESD property tax rate is $0.0920 per $100 of assessed value. For a home valued at $380,000 (the Montgomery County average), that equals approximately $350/year ($29/month). Here's how the current split compares to what the proposed change would look like:
The Sales Tax Proposition
MFD is requesting voter approval of a 1% local sales tax increase in eligible portions of the district — bringing the total sales tax rate in those areas to the Texas state maximum of 8.25%.
Who would see a change? Only areas currently below the 8.25% state maximum. Areas where local sales tax is already at the maximum will see no change. The green areas on the district map represent where the 1% increase would apply.
District Sales Tax Map — Green areas are eligible for the 1% increase. Black areas are already at the 8.25% state maximum and will see no change.
Broader Revenue Base
Captures revenue from commuters, visitors, and commercial activity — not solely from property owners.
Reduced Property Tax Dependence
Shifts MFD away from a primarily property-tax driven model, spreading costs more equitably.
Growth-Aligned Funding
Revenue scales naturally with commercial development — funding grows as the community grows.
How the Revenue Would Be Used
Every dollar would be directed toward four priority areas critical to keeping Magnolia safe:
Staffing
Increase daily staffing minimums to meet national deployment standards for a more effective emergency response model.
Infrastructure Upgrades
Bring aging facilities up to acceptable operational and firefighter health standards (NFPA 1500).
New Stations
Build, equip, and staff new stations to close coverage gaps created by rapid population growth.
Apparatus & Equipment
Responsible, planned replacement of aging fire trucks, breathing apparatus, and protective gear.
Current Station Infrastructure
MFD serves a modern, rapidly growing community from facilities built for a different era. Here is the current status of each station:
| Station | Location | Built / Acquired | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Station 181 | Buddy Riley Blvd. | 2011 | New Roof Needed |
| Station 182 | Caraway Ln. | Renting single-family home | New station due May 2027 |
| Station 183 | Nichol's Sawmill Rd. | 2003, renovated 2024 | Recently Updated |
| Station 184 | FM 249 / Decker Prairie Rd. | 1994, addition 2004 | Aging Facility |
| Station 185 | FM 1488 / Royall Oaks | 1995, addition 2005 | Aging Facility |
| Station 186 | Research Forest Dr. | Mechanic shop converted 1996 | Crew relocated — mold issue |
| Station 187 | FM 1774 / Lone Star Ln. | 2017 | Expansion Needed for Full-Time Crews |
| Station 188 | FM 1486 / N. Hall Dr. | 2017 | Expansion Needed for Full-Time Crews |
| Station 189 | FM 149 / Magnolia Woods Dr. | 2017 | Expansion Needed for Full-Time Crews |
The Rising Cost of Fire Service
Emergency infrastructure costs have increased dramatically — far exceeding general inflation. Apparatus must now be ordered 3+ years in advance, and every month of delay costs more.
Apparatus delivery timelines have stretched from 8–12 months in 2020 to 30–36+ months today. Needs must be forecast and funded years in advance.
How to Vote
Early Voting
- April 20 – April 28
- Excluding Tues. April 21 & Sun. April 26
- 2 locations (see below)
Election Day
- May 2, 2025
- 17 poll locations across the district
Early Voting Locations
📅 Early voting runs April 20 – April 28 (excluding Tues. April 21 & Sun. April 26) · Election Day: May 2 with 17 locations district-wide