Eagle Pass raises ambulance rates and authorizes manager to negotiate interim EMS deal with Maverick County

The Eagle Pass City Council on Feb. 11 adopted an ordinance updating ambulance service fees and later, after executive session, authorized the city manager to negotiate and expedite a contract or extension with Maverick County to continue fire and EMS services to county residents.

The fee ordinance (first reading action recorded at the meeting) updates the city’s EMS billing categories and signals staff intent to pursue higher private-insurance reimbursement where allowable. Fire Department staff told council that a change in billing vendor or billing approach could yield roughly a 30% boost in recoverable revenue, which staff estimated at about $600,000 in additional reimbursements relative to recent collections. The Fire Chief said the proposed commission to a billing vendor would remain near the current level (9.5%), and that overall EMS revenue for…