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A public hearing next week will precede a critical decision by City Council regarding the future of Elgin’s Emergency Medical Services.
A council committee met with petitioners earlier this month for the new Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 3. The proposed ESD is looking to get in front of voters this November, but council members stated they remain uncertain if this is the best option for the city to opt in to.
“This is potentially a very impactful decision for the city, so it’ll be important that the people know what we’re contemplating doing before we do it,” said City Manager Tom Mattis. “We still didn’t get the satisfactory answer, I think, the jurisdictional issue that we’re faced up here with Travis County, Bastrop County, property homes in the [extraterritorial jurisdiction], but not city limits. Who’s going to cover those areas?”
According to proponents, the new district would improve emergency response times, bring additional ambulances and increase medical capabilities for Bastrop County residents.
“This is potentially a very big issue for the city, and an issue that could have a lot of impact and certainly costs. ” — City Manager Tom Mattis This remains “a very unique issue in Elgin” though, as the city’s jurisdictional boundaries can create confusion amongst residents and ESDs alike, according to Mattis.
Council members also noted that this is potentially a permanent decision set before the council, as “you can’t undo ESDs when they get established, essentially,” and they don’t want to move too fast on it.
Bastrop and Smithville’s councils have already voted to opt in to the proposal. Mattis claimed that they are better situated for it, though.
“In my opinion, we have sub-standard service now all over, and it’s definitely something that needs to grow and be better managed and increase the level of services,” Mattis said. “This is potentially a very big issue for the city, and an issue that could have a lot of impact and certainly costs.”
The district stated it would immediately go to the maximum tax rate allowable for an ESD, according to Mattis. This would impact taxes for every property owner in the county.
Further complicating the decision, because of the way the ESD is proposing to be set up county-wide, county commissioners would appoint all of its managing board members.
“They certainly have a plan, eventually to have 11 stations positioned all over the county, but there’s no promise that we’d get a station out here, which I think is problematic,” Mattis said. “It’s a very complicated issue.”
The resolution will be addressed during the regularly scheduled Aug. 6 meeting, which is also the deadline for a decision.
“Folks are welcome to share their views with city officials at that hearing or anytime leading up to it,” Public Information Officer Amy Miller said.
