Item # 6 - EMS Billing

1. CITY OF ALAMO HEIGHTS
FIRE DEPARTMENT
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Michael Gdovin, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: An interlocal agreement between the City of Alamo Heights and the City of Schertz
for the purpose of EMS billing
DATE: August 8, 2022
SUMMARY
The resolution authorizes the City Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement between the cities
of Alamo Heights and Schertz for the purpose of EMS billing. This agreement would become
effective once the City of Alamo Heights adopts the agreement and be effective October 1, 2022
for a period of one (1) year with the option of renewal each year through September 30, 2023. The
City of Schertz adopted the agreement effective July 12, 2022.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
There are many advantages of continued outsourcing for EMS billing with the City of Schertz
EMS. They have a billing staff of three personnel (3) plus the EMS Director, we share the same
philosophy towards our customers including those having financial hardships.
POLICY ANALYSIS
The collection of revenue for EMS services is essential to offset annual costs and reduce the burden
to the taxpayers. The staff of Schertz EMS attends all classes on EMS billing including Medicare
changes as well as private insurers. City Attorney has reviewed and approved the proposed renewal
agreement as similar to last renewal, no changes were made
FISCAL IMPACT
A written proposal received from the City of Schertz requests a 0% increase in billing rates of 9%
of the collected amount. This new rate will be locked through September 2023. Historical data
from the last three years tell us that the anticipated cost for this service would be between $18,000
and $21,000 per year. Since 2013, collection rates have averaged in the 60%+ range annually after
mandated contractual allowances.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Interlocal agreement
Attachment B – Resolution
Attachment C – City of Schertz Resolution 22-R-72
______________________
Michael Gdovin, Fire Chief
Alamo Heights Fire/EMS Department
_____________________
Buddy Kuhn
City Manager

2. Attachment A

3. Attachment A

4. Attachment A

5. Attachment A

6. Attachment A

7. Attachment A

8. Attachment A

9. Attachment B
RESOLUTION NO. 2022R - 152
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A RENEWAL OF THE INTERLOCAL
AGREEMENT FOR EMS BILLING WITH THE CITY OF SCHERTZ,
TEXAS AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT FOR SUCH SERVICES.
WHEREAS, Chapter 791 of the Texas Government Code authorizes municipalities to enter
into interlocal agreements for the performance of governmental functions and services, and it is the
desire of the City of Alamo Heights to enter into such agreement with the City of Schertz; and
WHEREAS, the city desires to renew the contract with the City of Schertz for EMS billing
services because of the advantages of outsourcing EMS billing in that Schertz has a staff of three (3)
personnel plus the EMS Director, and the cities share the same philosophy towards working with
customers including those having financial hardships; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Chief has negotiated an interlocal agreement for such services; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to
contract with Schertz pursuant to the Interlocal Agreement for EMS Billing Services attached hereto
as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”).
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ALAMO HEIGHTS, TEXAS that the proposed renewal of the Interlocal Agreement for EMS
Billing services commencing October 1, 2022 for a period of one (1) year with the option of renewal
each year until September 20, 2025 unless terminated sooner by either City. The attached agreement
was negotiated by the Fire Chief is hereby approved and the City Manager is authorized to execute
such agreement providing for payment of 9% of collected fees as compensation for such services.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 8th
day of AUGUST, 2022.
_____________________________________
MAYOR BOBBY ROSENTHAL
ATTEST:
____________________________________
ELSA T. ROBLES, CITY SECRETARY
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________________
FRANCISCO J. GARZA, CITY ATTORNEY

10. Attachment C

11. Attachment C