ESD #2 funded new ambulance in Ovilla

OVILLA – The City of Ovilla will soon be seeing a variety of benefits from the recent passing of an Ellis County ESD #2 sales tax proposition.

One of those benefits will be the funding of a much-needed ambulance service in that city. 

Tom Manning, district manager, Ellis County ESD #2 said, “The ESD #2 Board of Emergency Commissioners began to consider a May/2024 sales tax election after City of Midlothian City Council Workshops in October of 2024. 

“The decision to fund was based on the current number of EMS calls in the Ovilla FD primary response area that includes almost 40% of the ESD #2 calls for service.”

Ovilla City Manager David Henley said the City of Ovilla is most certainly blessed to work with the Commissioners and District Manager of Ellis County Emergency Service District 2.

“They often have a thankless job but are doing great things for the citizens in the ESD, Midlothian, and Ovilla,” Henley said.

Manning also explained the initial projected cost to ESD #2 is a $600,000 annual cost that will be funded with sales tax revenues and increased ad valorum taxes from the 10% annual growth in ESD #2. 

ESD #2 and the Ovilla FD have been partners since 1988, and ESD #2 constructed the Ovilla FD fire annex that houses the 24/7 firefighter paramedics. 

The ESD #2 has ordered the new ambulance that should be delivered in 2024. The projected date for the new ambulance to be in service is April 1, 2025.