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Texas district may take over city’s fire, EMS services

The cash-strapped city of Edna may hand over services to the district, EMS could also be placed on the local hospital

By Johnathan Silver
Victoria Advocate

EDNA, Texas — A cash-strapped city of Edna could spell a financial crisis for the Jackson County Emergency Services District No. 3 if city leaders decide Thursday to hand over responsibility for the area’s emergency medical and fire services to the district.

District commissioners told the public in a special meeting Wednesday that city leaders offered one option to handle future costs in excess of $1 million: Ease the district over four years into being financially responsible for Edna’s fire and emergency medical services. Currently, the city and the district share the costs.

Under the verbal proposal discussed by district representatives and Edna city leaders, the city would turn over all equipment, personnel responsibilities and everything required to run Edna’s fire and emergency medical services with $200,000 from the city in the first year; $150,000 in the second, $100,000 in the third and $50,000 in the fourth year.

After that, funding those services would become the district’s responsibility. The area’s fire and emergency medical services cost a little more than $1 million a year.

The problem with the only solution is the district - which brings in about $600,000 from property taxes - can’t afford it. Neither can the city, which is looking to prioritize maintenance issues across Edna, including new electronic meters and a sewage system.

The commissioners on Wednesday also adopted a preliminary $545,000 budget, which would change if they become responsible for the area’s emergency medical and fire services.

It’s in the city’s hands, the district’s chairman, Jake Srp, said at the meeting.

“We really don’t have much say,” he added.

For the district to take full responsibility, it would have to make cuts. Eliminating the paid fire department is not an option commissioners said they would consider. But whether the emergency medical services financial responsibility would be placed on the local hospital remains an open question.

Kurt Janica, Edna’s assistant fire chief, said it’s best if the two entities continue to work together to fund the services.

“I’m hoping the council makes the best decision for the community,” he said.

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©2015 Victoria Advocate (Victoria, Texas)

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