Live Oak City Council voted to change its interlocal agreement with Schertz EMS on Aug. 12.
Schertz EMS provides emergency care to the Northeast San Antonio area. Live Oak’s contributions will increase by 20% in fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, then by another 5% in FY 2027-28.
The city’s contribution to Schertz EMS in the current fiscal year is $290,411.52, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.
How we got here
Schertz EMS has been meeting with partner cities this summer to amend interlocal agreements. EMS Director Jason Mabbitt said increased staff pay and rising equipment costs are among the main reasons for the funding ask.
The service currently covers Live Oak as well as the cities of Schertz, Cibolo, Live Oak, Universal City and Selma. The average response time for a service call in Live Oak is 6.6 minutes, according to previous reporting.
Mabbitt said he gave partner cities the option of a 20%, 20% and 5% increase over the next three fiscal years, as well as the option of a 35% increase for FY 2025-26 followed by two fiscal years of 5% increases.
Universal City approved the 20%, 20% and 5% agreement amendment June 3, which allocates an additional $182,553 in funding for the next three fiscal years. Cibolo approved the same amendment on July 8, increasing its annual funding by $338,958.46 through the end of its contract.
Latest update
Interim Fire Chief Keith Drewry said the city will pay Schertz EMS in four quarterly installments, and said approval of the agreement “will maintain stable and reliable EMS coverage for the city of Live Oak.”
