Jim Wells County approves revised agreement for grant-funded ambulance with Allegiance Ambulance Service

The Jim Wells County Commissioners Court on July 31 approved a revised right-to-use agreement with Allegiance Ambulance Service to authorize operational use of a county-owned, grant-funded ambulance, the County Judge announced. The court adopted the updated document, which includes mandatory language required by the state comptroller’s grant program.

Norma Salas, who identified herself as "Norma Salas, I'm the Jim Wells County Grama Ministry," told the court the county had received the grant funds and that the agreement needed revision to include state-mandated clauses before the ambulance vendor could sign. "...we've already received our funds," Salas said. A county staff member added that the comptroller sent about "four or five clauses" that had to be incorporated into the previously approved May 22 agreement.

The County Judge said the grant totaled $350,000 to purchase a new ambulance and described the revised agreement as ensuring compliance on insurance, inventory, indemnification and audit responsibilities. "We were able to attain it, 350,000 to purchase another, ambulance," the County Judge said. The court moved, seconded and approved the revised right-to-use agreement by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded. The agreement will be returned to the ambulance company for signature so the county can complete procurement and place the vehicle into service.