PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — The city of Pflugerville is again partnering with a private ambulance company to provide emergency services to its citizens.
During a city council meeting Tuesday, members voted 4-3 to approve renewing a contract with Allegiance Mobile Health.
The previous agreement was originally set to expire June 30, but the company will now continue to work with the city.
Before coming to a consensus, council members considered two options: continuing to work with Allegiance Mobile Health or starting a new contract with Travis County Emergency Services District (ESD) 2/ Pflugerville Fire Department Station 5.
If Pflugerville decided to work with Travis County ESD 2, the cost over a six-year period would be approximately $12 million. Meanwhile, continuing to use Allegiance would cost roughly $7 million.
From an economic standpoint, the city will save more than $4 million by extending its partnership with Allegiance. It will now pay $1.3 million annually to cover the cost of four ambulance vehicles. In turn, monthly call information must be reported to the city.
The continued partnership between Pflugerville and Allegiance comes after long-lasting discussions and disagreements between city residents and EMS systems.
Previously, citizens voted against an initiative that, if passed, would have increased taxes to help fund medical services.
This lack of funding has become a cause for concern among first responders in recent years. Early last year, EMS District 2 members expressed concerns after a petition was created to remove tax funding and eliminate some positions.
This year, some firefighters again conveyed the need for better pay.
"The more people you have in a community, the more services you need," Pflugerville Fire Chief Nick Perkins said a few months back.
With this new contract in place, it is not yet clear whether compensation will be impacted.