AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2026-138R, approving an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Schertz for Allocation of Emergency Medical Services and for Mutual Aid to the unincorporated areas of Guadalupe County; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the Interlocal Agreement on behalf of the city; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: August 18, 2026
Department: Emergency Medical Services Department, Chief Jill Rosales
Amount & Source of Funding
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Fiscal Note:
In consideration of San Marcos provision of the Emergency Medical Services during the Initial Term, Schertz agrees to pay San Marcos $148,719.12 annually, payable in twelve (12) equal monthly installments within fifteen (15) days of each month for each year of the Initial Term.
From a financial perspective, the agreement provides a positive return.
• Estimated annual cost to provide service: Approximately $96,000 (about 1% of total operating expenses)
• Estimated patient transport revenue: Approximately $142,500 (about 1.5% of total EMS revenue)
• Annual contract funding from the City of Schertz: $148,719 (about 1.5% of total EMS revenue)
• Total annual revenue generated: Approximately $291,000 (about 3% of total EMS revenue)
• Estimated net positive financial contribution: Approximately 2% of the EMS operating budget while utilizing only 1% of available system capacity
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Quality of Life & Sense of Place
Public Safety, Core Services & Fiscal Excellence
Economic Vitality
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Background Information:
The dissolution of San Marcos Hays County EMS (SMHCEMS) has created a service gap in the EMS coverage area previously served by that organization. Guadalupe County has requested that the City of San Marcos consider entering into a contract to provide Emergency Medical Services for this area. A map of the affected coverage zone has been provided for reference.
This action would ensure continuity of emergency medical response for residents and visitors who were formerly dependent on SMHCEMS services. Establishing this EMS allocation also supports regional interoperability, strengthens multi-jurisdictional coordination, and aligns with existing Mutual Aid practices. While Automatic Aid agreements focus on predetermined, immediate response based on dispatch criteria, Mutual Aid agreements allow jurisdictions to request assistance as needed-an important tool when covering expanded service areas or responding to high-demand incidents.
Based on historical call data applied to our current model, Guadalupe County responses account for approximately 0.06 Unit Hour Utilization (UHU), or roughly 525 unit hours annually. When distributed across the EMS system, these responses utilize approximately 1% of total available unit capacity, demonstrating a minimal operational impact on current service delivery.
Operationally, Guadalupe County responses do require occasional cross-coverage and unit movement; however, the overall impact on system performance remains limited due to the relatively small percentage of capacity utilized. There are also a small number of responses into adjacent jurisdictions that are not directly reimbursed. The volume of these calls is minimal and does not materially affect the overall financial performance of the agreement. While future intergovernmental discussions regarding cost-sharing may be considered, they are not necessary to support continuation of this agreement at this time.
Based on this analysis, staff recommends continuing the Guadalupe County EMS Allocation Agreement, as it provides a measurable financial benefit to the City's EMS system while having only a limited operational impact and supporting regional emergency response capabilities.
By considering this agreement, the City of San Marcos would help maintain reliable EMS service levels for the affected region, support neighboring jurisdictions during the transition, and reinforce the broader emergency response network within Hays and Guadalupe Counties.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of this resolution.