Kingsville approves EMS training ride‑along, ambulance billing contract and accepts police training funds

The Kingsville City Commission approved multiple public‑safety items: a training ride‑along agreement with Del Mar College for emergency medical services students, a professional ambulance‑billing services agreement with a billing vendor, and acceptance of Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (LEOSE) training funds from the Texas Comptroller.

The fire department requested authorization for Del Mar College EMS students to perform clinical ride‑along experiences with Kingsville Fire Department personnel; staff said Del Mar will provide and maintain required liability insurance, there is no financial impact to the city, and supervision and sign‑off will be provided by department personnel. The commission approved the agreement by motion and roll call.

City staff introduced a recommendation to enter an intergovernmental/business associate agreement with a Texas‑based ambulance billing company after a year‑long vendor search. Presenters including James Sykes said the recommended vendor serves more than 200 Texas agencies and would charge a fee similar to the current contract: about 9% of collections plus approximately 2% for credit‑card fees. Courtney (staff) confirmed the city negotiated revisions to the draft agreement. Commissioners approved the resolution authorizing the interim city manager to enter the billing agreement; the vendor name appears with varied spellings in the transcript and agenda packet (transcript references include “Emergency Medical Billing,” “Emergency Con,” and “Emmercon LLC”); the city packet identifies a Texas‑based vendor.

Finally, the commission voted to accept $8,395.42 in law‑enforcement training funds deposited Feb. 20, 2025, from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to be placed in the city’s training fund; staff said there is no negative financial impact.