Commissioners Sign Resolution Supporting State EMS Funding

Texas Senator Charles Perry of Lubbock filed a bill this legislative session to provide some substantial funding to rural EMS services. The Fayette County Commissioners Court signed a resolution last week urging lawmakers to pass the bill into law.

Perry’s Bill, SB 1377, along with a companion bill filed in the House by Rep. Ken King of Canadian, would provide rural counties with up to $500,000 to fund emergency medical services. Counties with a population under 10,000 could receive the full $500,000. Counties with a population between 10,000 and 68,750 would be eligible for up to $350,000. Fayette County would qualify for the lesser amount.

At the Commissioners Court meeting last Thursday, Fayette County EMS Director Josh Vandever said $350,000 would cover the cost of purchasing a new ambulance.

“I ask that you adopt a resolution in support of this for lawmakers to know rural Texas needs this money,” Vandever said.

In an interview with the Record Friday morning, Vandever said the skyrocketing cost of ambulances in recent years is one of the biggest problems facing rural EMS providers. In 2022, he said, EMS ordered two new ambulances at a cost of $239,000 a piece. Just a few weeks ago his department ordered two more ambulances at a cost of $345,000 a piece.

Pct. 4 Commissioner Drew Brossmann said he recently attended a conference where these bills were a big topic of discussion.

“It looks like it’s going to get pushed through,” Brossmann said. “It’s almost all positive support.”

“I think this is fantastic news,” said County Judge Dan Mueller.

The Court unanimously passed the resolution supporting Sen. Perry and Rep. King’s legislation. State Rep. Stan Kitzman, who represents Fayette County, is a co-author of King’s bill.