Hunt County approves dispatch agreement with American Medical Response; contract effective Oct. 1

Hunt County Commissioners on July 29 approved a dispatch service agreement with American Medical Response Ambulance Service Inc. (AMR), with county staff saying AMR accepted the county’s requested contract changes and the agreement will become effective Oct. 1.

County staff member Daniel explained the changes discussed at a prior meeting were incorporated and appear in the copy distributed to the court; the edits were shown in blue and AMR approved them, Daniel said. Staff also told the court that a statutory change taking effect Sept. 1 raises the purchasing-exception threshold for public-safety contracts to $100,000 (from the prior $50,000), meaning a separate order approving an exception to the purchasing act is no longer necessary for this contract as drafted.

Daniel described key contract terms: the initial term is three years with automatic continuation as an "evergreen" contract unless terminated; termination notice periods vary by circumstance — a 30-day termination right for breach, a 180-day notice in other breach scenarios, and a six-month notice for no-cause termination was described. Daniel added that if a hospital partner withdraws its contract with AMR, the county would have the option to terminate.

An AMR representative (David, present at the meeting) did not add further detail during the court’s discussion. The court moved, seconded and approved the agreement; the judge announced the motion carried.

County staff said the contract would be signed and become effective after the Sept. 1 law change and that AMR representatives were available to answer follow-up questions if the court requests them.