Public Services Committee

Contact Committee Chair: Brian Clifton

Emergency Services

The SRNA community is served by ESD #6, Lake Travis Fire and Rescue.

ESD #6 has concerns they will not be able to sustain same level of services over the long-term during residential & business growth expected to be at 6% when the ad valorem tax rate is capped at 10%. Details have surfaced that indicate this isn’t necessarily the case, in part due to what seems to be higher expenses over other ESDs. Many years ago, the original placement of existing fire stations was done more for economic reasons (where could they get cheaper land at the time vs placing stations in strategic areas to keep response times low and service levels high).

One of our concerns is the closing of the Comanche Trail station (because it is smaller and fairly close proximity to other stations – both within ESD 6 and neighboring districts). This will have a negative impact on our community, likely for several years.
Austin Fire Chief will look at costs of continuing service in the outlaying areas of Travis County, and what it will take to provide service within a 3mile area with a single station. That doesn’t bode well for the current plan.

“Based on that progress, Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr of the AFD and chief of staff Harry Evans met with LTFR commissioners in an August get-to-know-you session to begin discussions about a contract for services and outline their vision for how the agencies could merge.
LTFR covers 200 square miles with five stations. According to LTFR assistant chief Robert Abbott, the department has averaged 10 incidents per 24 hours with 18 personnel per shift this year. Austin Fire Department serves 300 square miles with 44 stations and one aircraft station with about 231 people on duty to respond to an average of 250 calls each day, Evans said.”

Recent announcement of budget approval

Water

The SRNA community is served by WCID #17. Read below about Austin Energy policy and how it impacts WCID #17 and its customers

Energy

The SRNA community is served by Austin Energy as its electric utility provider.
SRNA is supporting HURF in the fight for equitable energy policy. Click here learn why.
Article on Austin Energy Meeting in LakewayLearn even more and join the effort at aerateprotest.com

Annexation

The Steiner Ranch area is currently forecast for annexation sometime around 2030 (informal estimate), based on the fact that the water bonds will be paid around this time.

Our area – while not yet on the five year Austin annexation schedule – is in Austin’s ETJ and is a very likely candidate for eventually annexation. Annexation would involve paying city taxes in exchange for services to be provided by the city that we currently receive directly from other entities. We are forming a workgroup to assess the implications of annexation on this community and look at the annexation process so that we can plan accordingly. Planning for and being prepared for this process has proven important in other communities around Austin and other parts of Texas. Candidates for working in this group include anyone with an interest in this topic; also, anyone with any particular familiarity with this process or the laws and procedures that guide it. If you are interested in participating in this workgroup, or know an ideal participant, we are very interested in hearing from you. Please send an email to chair@steinerranchna.org.

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