Sheldon Community Fire and Rescue Station Under Construction

By David Taylor / Managing Editor

The new station will be operational before the arrival of $15 million worth of new fire trucks. Sheldon Community Fire and Rescue, which employs 45 full-time and 40 part-time firefighters, is the largest employer of firefighters on the east side of Harris County.

Sheldon Community Fire and Rescue is set to enhance its emergency response capabilities with the construction of a new Station No. 5. The facility, located at 11159 W Lake Houston Parkway within Generation Park, is expected to be completed by 2027.

The new, single story fire station will span 15,000 square feet and feature three bays that will be double-stacked and capable of accommodating six trucks. It will also include a commercial kitchen designed to serve a staff of eight firefighters, a data room, an exercise room, and offices for the district chief and captain. Additionally, the station will have eight bedrooms, a day room and a small conference room for debriefing and critiquing calls.

The project, which costs approximately $10,996,000 million, is being built on four acres of land donated by McCord Development. Sheldon Fire Chief Sidney Webb expressed gratitude for the additional land, noting that the original allocation of one acre was insufficient for the station’s needs.

The station is designed by Joiner Architects and the general contractor is Gamma Construction.

The new station will be operational before the arrival of $15 million worth of new fire trucks. Sheldon Community Fire and Rescue, which employs 45 full-time and 40 part-time firefighters, is the largest employer of firefighters on the east side of Harris County. The department is committed to providing top-notch service and maintaining its reputation as a desirable place to work.

The department now functions as a near 100-percent paid department with only a handful of volunteers.

“Our firefighters train every day,” Webb said. “They want to be the best in the county.”

The construction of this new facility marks a significant milestone for Sheldon Community Fire and Rescue, ensuring that the community is well-equipped to handle emergencies and protect its residents.

Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate: August 25, 2025

Harris County Emergency Services District No. 60 has proposed a tax increase for the 2025 fiscal year, with a public hearing scheduled for August 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM at 7601 Uvalde Road, Houston, Texas 77049. The proposed tax rate of $0.1000 per $100 valuation represents an increase over last year’s rate. If adopted, the measure will require voter approval in an election on November 5, 2025.

For full details, including tax rate comparisons, voting information, and calculations, please refer to the attached notice.

Key Contacts:

Understanding Harris County Emergency Service District No. 60’s 2025 Tax Rates

Curious about how your property taxes are calculated?

Harris County Emergency Service District No. 60 has released its 2025 tax rate details, including the no-new-revenue rate and voter-approval rate. These rates ensure transparency and accountability in how your tax dollars are used.

For a deeper dive into the calculations, check out the Tax Rate Calculation Worksheet (PDF) and the Notice of Tax Rates (PDF).

Visit www.hctax.net for more information or to see how these rates impact your property. 

Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Rate – August 22, 2024

Harris County Emergency Services District No. 60 has proposed a new tax rate of $0.0759 per $100 valuation for the 2024 tax year, reflecting an increase from the previous year.

This proposed rate is higher than both the no-new-revenue tax rate and the voter-approval tax rate but remains within the de minimis rate limit.

A public hearing is scheduled for August 22, 2024, to discuss this increase and its implications for local taxpayers. The hearing will provide an opportunity for residents to express their opinions and learn more about how the changes could impact their property taxes. For more detailed information, please refer to the official notice.

Understanding 2024 Tax Rates: A Guide for Harris County Residents

Harris County residents should be aware of the 2024 property tax rates set by the Harris County Emergency Service District No. 60. The notice outlines two critical tax rates: the no-new-revenue tax rate and the voter-approval tax rate. The no-new-revenue tax rate is set at $0.0689 per $100 of property value, which aims to collect the same amount of taxes as the previous year from properties taxed in both years. In contrast, the voter-approval tax rate is $0.0723 per $100 of property value, which is the maximum rate that can be adopted without requiring an election. These rates are crucial for taxpayers to understand as they evaluate how the changes might impact their financial planning for the year.

Additionally, the following documents provide a detailed breakdown of the calculations and adjustments that contribute to these rates, including factors like the unused increment rate, de minimis rate, and adjustments for pollution control and emergency revenue​.

For those interested in the exact calculations and more detailed information, including the impact of these rates on specific funds and debt services, please refer to the full documents provided by the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector. You can access these documents and learn more about your property taxes by visiting Harris County Tax Office​.

Hurricane Beryl – Do Not Panic, Prepare

  • Have an evacuation plan ~ find alternate routes at DriveTexas.org
  • Emergency Alerts ~ ensure your device is enabled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs)
  • Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit ~ learn how to build on at www.ready.gov/build-a-kit
  • Review your home insurance policy ~ have documents handy
  • Register with State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) at https://STEAR.tdem.texas.gov ~ if you live in an evacuation zone, have a disability or medical needs and do not have a vehicle to use in an evacuation OR have a disability or medical needs and do not have family/friends to help in evacuation
  • Have medications filled now if needed
  • Fuel vehicle(s)
  • Keep devices charged in event of power loss, including power banks
  • Water ~ 1 gallon/person per day
  • Plan for pet safety