Frio County votes 3-2 to terminate hospital district medical-transport agreement after complaints, unpaid invoices

Frio County Commissioners Court voted 3-2 on Feb. 14 to approve a termination agreement with the Frio County Hospital District that ends the district's provision of medical transport services to the county.

The termination followed weeks of citizen complaints and internal review that, according to Frio County Judge Rochelle Camacho, focused on delays in response times and the county's inability to secure promised financial support from the hospital district. Judge Camacho said the county sent invoices for transport services dating to June 2024 and that the county had prepared paperwork seeking about $135,000 in reimbursement; the county had budgeted roughly $200,000 for the service but said contract timing affected billable periods.

"We have tried. We tried. We tried," Judge Camacho said during the discussion describing efforts to resolve performance and funding issues. She also told the court the hospital district had agreed to the termination.

Commissioners who supported the measure said transports were consuming EMS units and shifting focus from 9-1-1 emergency response, and that the county had not received the contracted funding or consistent operational compliance from the contractor Allegiance, which the county had engaged to provide transport services under the district arrangement. Commissioner discussion referenced concerns that Allegiance units were reallocated to neighboring counties and that transfers were taking ambulances out of local service areas.

Commissioner Martinez moved to approve the termination agreement; Judge Rochelle Camacho seconded. The motion carried on a 3-2 vote. County staff said the hospital district had acknowledged the termination and that the county would proceed to implement the change while monitoring citizen impact.

The court did not adopt additional written terms in open session about an interim plan for transport coverage; officials said the hospital district previously proposed contingency agreements with municipalities and school districts but some of those agreements were not finalized or returned. The county also reported it had not received the expected reimbursements from the district to date.

The termination is effective following the court's vote; the transcript records the hospital district had agreed to the move. County officials said they would provide further operational details as they complete transition steps.

The vote and debate occurred during the meeting's new-business portion and followed public and internal complaints that had been discussed in open session and earlier meetings.

Ending: The county will publish any successor agreements or interim operational arrangements as they are finalized; officials urged residents with immediate transport concerns to direct them to county offices for updated guidance.