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Brownwood council ratifies one-year Lifeguard Ambulance extension; city share set at $173,777
Summary
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution ratifying Brown County's one‑year extension with Lifeguard Ambulance Service, agreeing to a $173,777 pro‑rata subsidy share and new fleet and age/mileage requirements; the cost will be included in the 2026–27 budget.
Brownwood's City Council unanimously ratified a one‑year extension of the county ambulance contract on May 12, authorizing the city to reimburse Brown County $173,777 for its pro‑rata share of the $491,727 Lifeguard Ambulance subsidy.
Why it matters: The extension preserves the countywide ambulance arrangement for another year, adds fleet and equipment standards, and increases the annual subsidy by 3 percent — terms that affect municipal budgets and emergency medical coverage for Brownwood residents.
Fire Chief Eric Hicks told the council the Brown County Ambulance Committee recommended exercising the one‑year extension allowed under the original three‑year 2023 agreement rather than issuing a new request for proposals. The extension requires Lifeguard to maintain three ambulances within the contracted service area at all times (unless excused by the county judge or designee). Frontline ambulances may be no older than five years or 200,000 cumulative miles; backup units may be no older than seven years or 250,000 miles and must remain in good mechanical condition.
The amended contract raises the total annual subsidy from $477,405 to $491,727 (a 3% increase). Under the proposed allocation, Brown County's contribution is $276,892; the City of Brownwood's share is $173,777 (35.34%); the City of Early is $28,422; and the City of Bangs is $12,637. Brown County will invoice Brownwood monthly for ambulance services, at $14,481 per month, and the expense will be included as a line item in the city's 2026–27 budget.
Councilmember Draco A. Miller moved to approve a resolution ratifying the county's action; Councilmember Walker Willey seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The action is recorded as Resolution No. R‑26‑10.
What happens next: The city will record the monthly invoices in the upcoming fiscal year's budget and monitor Lifeguard's compliance with the fleet and equipment requirements during the extension year.
