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'Sticker shock' | Pflugerville, Travis County ESD No. 2 negotiations hit another road block

The ESD had previously decided to withdraw ambulance services without additional funding from the City of Pflugerville.

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — The Pflugerville City Council on May 10 voted to authorize the city manager to enter into contract negotiations for emergency medical services with Travis County ESD No. 2 following the recent termination of the City's contract with Acadian Ambulance Services.

However, on May 23, the Travis County ESD No. 2 Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a statement in regard to those negotiations:

“Travis County ESD No. 2 has proposed providing ambulance and advanced life support services within the City of Pflugerville based upon the same method that was used to calculate costs for both Travis County and Travis County Emergency Services District No. 17. Both Travis County and ESD No. 17 have approved contracts based on those calculations. Our offer to the City of Pflugerville remains consistent with the calculations that have been provided to the City over the past year.

"Despite this consistency, the City Manager has expressed 'sticker shock' and advised us that the City will not accept any contract that requires the payment of more than $300,000 per year.

"We have presented two options to the City to reduce the impact of these costs on the City’s budget. First, the City could bill and collect higher fees from City of Pflugerville residents who call 911 for advanced life support and ambulance services. Second, the City could designate ESD No. 2 as the only entity authorized to transfer patients for non-emergency calls within the City.

"Despite these options being presented, the City Manager has indicated that additional negotiations with ESD No. 2 would be fruitless, and the matter is once again on the City Council agenda for consideration.

"Travis County ESD No. 2 stands ready to continue negotiating with the City of Pflugerville to provide the best ambulance and advanced life support services to the citizens of the City of Pflugerville.”

Prior to the May 23 update, officials said the new contract, including service expectations, prices and when the transition will occur, would all come before the council at a future date.

As of May 31, ESD No. 2 says it would cost the City another $2 million per year to use it for ambulance services, and that would require a tax increase.

The contract termination with Acadian was announced in March. The council's Public Safety Subcommittee and city staff then interviewed six public and private ambulance providers. However, the council was then recommended to contract with Travis County ESD No. 2, with the commitment to pursuing a long-term relationship for EMS.

“The best way for us to proceed that is not only in the best interests of our constituents – our taxpayers – but this organization, is to enter an agreement with Travis County ESD No. 2 while jointly pursuing a way to combine our resources and commit to providing quality and fiscally-responsible service to our residents as a united long-term public service provider,” said Councilmember Ceasar Ruiz, a member of the Public Safety Subcommittee.

Reasons for their recommendation to contract with ESD No. 2 included its quality of service, track record of patient care and "seamless" integration of systems. Councilmembers also discussed the need to continue to address ESD No. 2's funding and Pflugerville voters' opposition of an additional tax to fund EMS last November.

“Our only option for ambulance services without additional costs to Pflugerville residents is to use a private provider, but ultimately Travis County ESD No. 2 has established infrastructure, stellar staff and interagency relationships giving them a local advantage,” said Councilmember Kimberly Holiday, a member of the Public Safety Subcommittee. “I am proud of this council for addressing EMS care and making tough decisions for our residents.”

Moving forward with contract negotiations, City leadership has noted that effective communication structure and billing practices will be important topics to discuss.

The City has been discussing the provision EMS for about 1.5 years, following No. 2's decision to withdraw ambulance services without additional funding from the City of Pflugerville. For more information, click here.

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