Public hearing to target EMS needs

A public hearing next week will precede a critical decision by City Council regarding the future of Elgin’s Emergency Medical Services.

A council committee met with petitioners earlier this month for the new Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 3. The proposed ESD is looking to get in front of voters this November, but council members stated they remain uncertain if this is the best option for the city to opt in to.

“This is potentially a very impactful decision for the city, so it’ll be important that the people know what we’re contemplating doing before we do it,” said City Manager Tom Mattis. “We still didn’t get the satisfactory answer, I think, the jurisdictional issue that we’re faced up here with Travis County, Bastrop County, property homes in the [extraterritorial jurisdiction], but not city limits. Who’s going to cover those areas?”