Texas County Takes No Action on Ambulance Contract

Jan. 06--Lots of talk, but no decision yet on an ambulance provider for Navarro County residents after Jan. 31.

That's the date the county's contract with the city of Corsicana to provide ambulance service to county residents is set to expire.

On Dec. 29, commissioners voted their intent to utilize Allegiance Ambulance out of Georgetown to provide service outside the Corsicana city limits, should contract details be worked out.

Tuesday, commissioners had more changes for Allegiance, and a call from one county commissioner for the city of Corsicana to negotiate -- something the city said it had done.

Allegiance is proposing to supply two full-time ambulances to provide service to county residents at a cost to the county of $300,000 per year and offered a three year contract.

Rich Powell, president of Allegiance, answered questions from commissioners Tuesday on a wide range of concerns still up in the air, including establishing "mutual aid" agreements with other agencies including the city of Corsicana.

Powell said they had reached out to some surrounding counties, but had not yet talked with city officials. He said he felt certain the mutual aid agreements -- deals that would bring in additional ambulance coverage if needed -- could be forged, as they've done in many of the markets they operate in.

"Before we can do anything, we need to know for sure," said Pct. 4 Commissioner James Olsen.

Olsen said the county is looking at much more than dollars in regards to the agreement.

"We're not looking for the 'lowest bidder' but we have public safety in mind," Olsen said.

Powell said the company should have agreements in place in "a week or so."

Sheriff Elmer Tanner, speaking he said as a citizen and not as sheriff, told commissioners that there would be some logistical concerns the county would face using a different ambulance service.

"The welfare and safety of Navarro County citizens is my concern," Tanner said, adding he'd like to see the city of Corsicana and the county work out an agreement.

"Let's set aside our differences and work through this," Tanner added.

Asked if the Allegiance crews could handle multiple calls during busy times, Powell said "we manage those scenarios" by prioritizing calls, and getting ambulances back in service quickly after a run.

He acknowledged that in cases of multiple calls for serious medical situations, such as heart attacks or serious injuries, company dispatchers would get another ambulance rolling toward the county to assist, either through mutual aid or from its own fleet.

Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason Grant the decision to seek a replacement for the city-provided service was "the hardest decision" he's had to make since taking office. He said he'd prefer to stay with the cityEMS but felt the city needed to "put a fair and reasonable offer" on the table. He was also critical of the city calling on county SWAT officers for tactical responses, and the housing of city prisoners in the county jail (the subject of a long-disputed agreement between the two agencies)

Grant said that meetings set up with the city using hospital CEO Michael Stewart as a moderator "didn't go anywhere" -- a statement that Corsicana Mayor Chuck McClanahan disputed Tuesday afternoon.

McClanahan said the city's offer to continue service came down $20,000 as a result of those talks, offering to continue service for $370,000 annually, and offered to allow the county to move part of the payment to the next budget year. The city's proposal also included what it calls a "true-up" at the end of the year, an accounting of the exact costs for the county to pay, and either a credit or additional cost to settle up the county's share. McClanahan said the city was also open to a two-year agreement for the service -- something city leaders had previously ruled out.

McClanahan pointed out that the city has up to six ambulances immediately available in the county should the need arise.

Police Chief Randy Bratton said the city police department now has its own tactical unit operating again, and hasn't called on the county for help in six months. But both Bratton and Tanner agree the door is open to provide inter-agency help should it be requested.

Pct. 2 Commissioner Dick Martin asked further consideration of an ambulance provider be tabled until the court's next meeting on Jan. 12 to give Allegiance time to complete contract changes and present more information about mutual aid to county leaders.

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Bob Belcher may be reached by email at bbelcher@corsicanadailysun.com

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