Marble Falls council to explore EMS contract Monday

City leaders spent about nine weeks working with EMS representatives to update the contract, which hasn’t been adjusted in several years.

The council will consider the contract during a regular meeting 6:30 p.m. Monday in council chambers, 800 Third St.

Council members discussed the contract at their Oct. 27 meeting, but chose not to approve the document after it was learned the agreement would have charged hefty fines for the EMS company if it didn’t abide by certain standards.

“They have been working with us for years providing a high level of service,” Councilman Jim Weber said. “Why do we need to start levying fines on them now?”

Assistant City Manager Ralph Hendricks said the proposed fines — which only come into play when EMS workers fail to respond to calls within a certain time limit — were agreed upon during the joint meetings between city and EMS officials.

“This was something we all agreed on,” he said.

The council first considered the new contract Oct. 13, but tabled it to give  members more time to examine the document. If approved, the contract will be valid for about a year before it’s up for renegotiation, official said.

In other action, the council will meet behind closed doors to discuss the annual evaluation for City Manager Judy Miller and Municipal Judge Gayle Price. The council will also discuss contract amendments related to this year’s comprehensive plan update, and vote on a number of rezoning requests.

chris@thepicayune.com