Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 3 moved closer to its transition from Acadian Ambulance after Bastrop City Council approved rezoning for a planned EMS station on Jasper Street.

The details: Council voted on second reading to rezone about 2.55 acres at 1811 Jasper St. from P3 Neighborhood to P5 Core during an April 14 meeting. The tract is part of roughly 4 acres now owned by ESD 3.

The district plans to build an administrative office at 1808 Jasper St. and a regional EMS station on the 1811 Jasper St. property.

Zooming in: Allen Johnson, Bastrop County ESD 3 executive director, said in an email to Community Impact that the regional EMS station would accommodate two ambulances and an EMS supervisor, while the administrative building would house:

• ESD 3 District office

• EMS Operations and Clinical Administration

• Training sessions

• EMS supply and equipment storage

Looking ahead: Johnson said that in a few years, he hopes to add a fleet maintenance facility on the property.

“For now, we are outsourcing that,” he said.

Keep Smithville Beautiful will celebrate Earth Day on April 26 with family-friendly fun and learning.

In a nutshell: The team behind the nonprofit will offer activities for all ages, including:

• Creating paintings using a sensory-friendly art technique called smush painting, where paint is applied to an object and pressed onto the canvas to blend colors and create shapes

• Making suncatchers

• Joining a themed scavenger hunt

Attendees can also take native seed packets provided by KSB officials.

Learn more: Dedicated to the beautification and environmental sustainability of Smithville, the nonprofit was founded in 1985. It is managed by the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce and run by a board of local volunteers.

• April 26, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Free (admission)

• Smithville Farmers Market, 100 NW First Street, Smithville

📚️ Bastrop library fundraiser pairs books with blooms April 24-25

Two local groups will combine efforts to host their annual book and plant sale at the Bastrop Public Library. Attendees can browse books inside and peruse plants in the parking lot. Book options will range from children's to adults, historic to self-help and more. Plant options will range from Texas-native perennials to bulbs, succulents, roses, vines and vegetables.

• April 24 (members-only preview), 4-6 p.m.; April 25 (everyone), 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., (book and plant sale)

• Free (admission)

• Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St., Bastrop

⛳️ Bastrop County Rotary tees up April 27 golf fundraiser

The Bastrop County Rotary Club will offer a 7,200-yard, par-72 course at the Lost Pines Golf Club for their inaugural fundraiser, Tee Off for Community. Registration includes green fees, carts, range time and lunch, as well as drink tickets, swag bags and commemorative T-shirts.

• April 27, 9 a.m. (tee time)

• $225 (individuals); $900 (team of four)

• Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Road, Bastrop

The overview: Texans are expected to save millions in sales taxes on emergency supplies—everything from tarps to generators—during an annual tax holiday April 25-27.

How it works: The sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. April 24 and lasts until midnight April 27.

Texans are expected to save about $2.4 million in state and local taxes, according to the comptroller’s office. Last year, Texans saved about $2.3 million, agency spokesperson Kevin Lyons said.

According to the comptroller’s office, items qualify for the tax exemption if they are priced at:

• Less than $75 for items including household batteries, fuel containers, flashlights, smoke detectors, tarps and first aid kits
• Less than $300 for hurricane shutters and emergency ladders
• Less than $3,000 for portable generators