Georgetown EMS is Not Paying for Itself!

Contrary to past claims that the EMS would not cost the taxpayers of Georgetown for the city to takeover the emergency response and transport service from Williamson County, the city finally admits that through the year 2021, the EMS cost is still negative.

The following chart was presented in the FY-17 budget workshop.

It is observed that revenue increases from $1.8M in FY-16 to $2.8M in FY-21, an increase of $800,000.  At the same time personnel costs increase from $1.2M in FY-16 to $1.9M in FY-21, an increase of $700,000.

The ambulances begin to wear out in FY-18 and FY-20 and need to be replaced.  Bonds will be issued for the replacement ambulances and by FY-21 the annual debt service is almost $200,000.

It is clear that not all the costs for assuming responsibility of EMS are included in the above budget.  For example, an additional diesel mechanic was hired to maintain the ambulances.

The bottom line is that in FY-21 the EMS budget is still negative by $500,000+ and is not likely to be positive for a very long time, if ever.

One of the council persons, who shall remain nameless unless you want to go view the video, admitted the taking over of the EMS was not about improved service or reduced cost, but, it was about taking CONTROL of this vital service within the city limits of Georgetown.

And Oh, by-the way, Williamson County did not reduce the tax bill for Georgetown taxpayers as a result of no longer proving EMS within the city and ETJ limits.