Important Changes to New Hope’s Emergency Services

Tuesday, November 4, 2025, New Hope residents will vote on a proposition to create Emergency Services District No. 1 (ESD No. 1) which will determine if emergency services to New Hope residents continue as is or not. 

The proposition will appear on the ballot for qualified voters who live in the unincorporated areas of the county and in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of certain cities. 

What the Proposition Would Do

If approved, the new district would

  • Fund emergency services: It would create a dedicated funding mechanism for fire protection and emergency medical services (EMS) for residents in the district's boundaries.

  • Establish a property tax: The district would be funded through a voter-approved property tax, not to exceed $0.10 per $100 of property valuation.

  • Appoint a board: A five-member board, appointed by the Collin County Commissioners Court, would manage the district and set its annual budget and tax rate. 

If the ESD does not pass then

  • Cities that currently respond to 911 calls in unincorporated areas(including New Hope) may choose to stop providing coverage without additional funding.

  • Rural residents may face slower response times or reduced coverage.

  • Insurance premiums for homeowners in unincorporated areas could rise if fire protection is limited.

  • County leaders have said they would try to maintain coverage in the short term, but long-term funding challenges would remain.

Why the proposition is on the ballot

  • The push for an ESD was prompted by several cities announcing they would terminate their fire service contracts with the county. Without an ESD, fire and EMS coverage could be jeopardized for thousands of residents in the unincorporated parts of the county. 

Who is affected

  • Voters in the proposed territory which includes New Hope residents. Only qualified voters residing in the proposed boundaries can vote on the proposition.

  • Unincorporated areas: Residents in all unincorporated areas of Collin County are automatically included in the proposed ESD.

  • City ETJs: The inclusion of a city's ETJ in the district depends on whether that city's council consented. If a city consented and the ESD is approved, a majority of voters in that city's ETJ must also vote in favor for it to be included in the district. Some cities, like Anna, have opted out, so their ETJ residents will continue to be served by the city and will not be included in the ESD.

  • New Hope residents: The city of New Hope is listed among the municipalities whose officials opted into the district. 

How to get more information

Link to media coverage: