Georgetown City Council approved the second reading of two ambulance franchise agreements Sept. 22 with Acadian Ambulance Service of Texas LLC and American Medical Response of Texas Inc. to provide nonemergency medical transfer services. The council unanimously approved the first reading of the two agreements at its Aug. 11 meeting. The council had also voted 403 to approve an agreement with Serenity EMS LLC, which does business as Ameristat Ambulance, on the condition the company could comply with city standards before the second reading. However, the company withdrew its application at the council’s Sept. 8 meeting. Acadian and American Medical Response will provide nonemergency transfer services beginning Oct. 1 when the city begins its fire-based EMS program and backup EMS response when all Georgetown transitional response vehicles are being used at the same time. The agreements are expected to help generate revenue for the city. Each company will pay $1,400 per year per ambulance, which includes permitting, radio license and technology fees, as well as a $2,000 application fee to operate in Georgetown. The agreement is for two years, after which each company will have to reapply for a three-year term. Franchisees will also be required to report to the fire department monthly, and penalties will be imposed for underperformance, Sullivan said.