Following a comprehensive community education initiative led by Tripepi Smith, the voters of Ellis County Emergency Services District (ESD) 9 have officially approved Proposition A. The measure, which appeared on the November 2025 ballot, authorizes a sales tax adjustment from 6.25% to 8.25% for areas outside the Palmer city limits, bringing much-needed diversified revenue to the district.
The successful passage of the measure marks a turning point for the Palmer area. Previously reliant solely on property taxes—which were capped and insufficient to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population—ESD 9 now has a sustainable funding stream to modernize its operations.
To ensure voters were informed before heading to the polls, Tripepi Smith executed a robust outreach strategy:
- Direct Mail Education: An informational mailer, printed in both English and Spanish, broke down the complexities of ESD funding, explaining how the property tax revenue was no longer enough to sustain the volunteer-based model.
- ISO Rating Awareness: A key component of the campaign was educating homeowners on how increased funding could lower the district’s ISO rating from its current 8, which can lead to reduced home insurance premiums.
- Addressing Growth: Content focused on the “why now,” highlighting that sales tax revenue would capture funds from visitors and commuters to help build a future fire station and transition toward professional staffing.
“The approval of Proposition A is a testament to the community’s commitment to safety,” said Sienna Boyd, Senior Business Analyst for Tripepi Smith. “We were honored to help ESD 9 bridge the information gap, providing the clear, data-driven transparency residents needed to make an informed decision for their future.”
With the measure passed, ESD 9 is now moving forward with long-term planning to increase firefighter staffing and replace outdated equipment, ensuring the district can keep pace with Ellis County’s unprecedented growth.
