Travis County Approves Comprehensive Study of Emergency Services

Austin, Texas

In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Travis County Commissioners Court approved the earmarking of up to $400,000 toward enhancing emergency medical services in county areas outside of Austin. The motion came in response to rapid growth and increased costs in the county’s emergency services sector.

The Emergency Services Situation

In his presentation, Chuck Brotherton, Travis County’s executive for emergency services, shed light on the challenges faced by the county. “The rapid growth, ongoing cost increases in interlocal agreements with Austin, Pflugerville, Round Rock, and Hutto, alongside changes in both demand and service area, are challenging the county’s ability to consistently deliver high-quality emergency medical services across all parts of Travis County.”

Although Brotherton acknowledged that the existing quality of emergency medical service (EMS) response is excellent, he also noted that costs are increasing at around 3 percent per year. Furthermore, he highlighted that the sustainability of the EMS response has been put into question due to a recent election, in which several neighborhoods voted to disannex from Austin. This move was in response to a 2021 law enacted by the Texas Legislature, which initiates such elections in areas absorbed by cities with populations of over 500,000 people between 2015 and 2017.

Implications of Disannexation

Neighborhoods such as Lost Creek in West Austin chose to leave the city in an attempt to evade property taxes and to change their municipal services, which they considered as lacking. Now, instead of Austin’s police and fire departments, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office will be attending to 911 calls in Lost Creek. At the same time, they will receive fire response from the Travis County Emergency Services District No. 9, located in West Lake Hills. These changes not only extend the county’s service area but also increase the difficulty of funding these services, necessitating a comprehensive reevaluation of the respective departments.

Recommendations

This week, the city’s Public Safety Commission has proposed that the City Council prioritize emergency services in the upcoming summer budget. The midyear request from the county allocates up to $400,000 in the Fiscal 2023-24 budget, giving Brotherton the authority to begin drafting a request for an outside consultant who would guide the county in its decision-making concerning emergency services.

Depending on how long the search for this consultant takes, the funding may be postponed to the 2024-25 fiscal year. However, Commissioner Ann Howard underlined that starting this process sooner rather than later is imperative owing to the upcoming legislative session. “We might need to argue for changes,” she stated.

Previous Comprehensive Studies

Brotherton noted that the last thorough study of the county’s emergency services occurred in 2011. Even though the city of Austin authorized another study in 2020, the recommendations from this were never implemented, pointing to the need for another comprehensive study. This study should include a public engagement component to address the concerns of smaller, remote cities in western Travis County, which are especially concerned about the future of emergency services, according to Howard.

Moving Forward

The final approval for this comprehensive study marks an essential step forward in reforming emergency services within Travis County’s jurisdiction. As the county braces itself for potential legislative debates and begins the search for a suitable consultant, the Travis County community hopes for a comprehensive, objective, and actionable report that will enhance the delivery of emergency services across all its regions.