Title:
Consider and take action on a resolution authorizing an amendment to the Interlocal Mutual Aid Agreement with the City of Dickinson for Emergency Medical Services (Fire Chief)
Background:
If approved this item would amend the Interlocal Mutual Aid Agreement with the City of Dickinson for Emergency Medical Services. League City entered into an Interlocal Mutual Aid Agreement with the City of Dickinson for Emergency Medical Services in October 2020 (Resolution No. 2020-138).
Under the agreement, when League City EMS units respond to calls in Dickinson, two separate charges may apply:
1. Patient Services Billing: The patient (or the patient’s insurance, Medicare, or other payor) is billed for medical services provided. Any remaining balance may be billed to the patient, as permitted by law.
2. Readiness (Standby) Fee: Independently, Dickinson reimburses League City for the use and deployment of League City EMS resources. This fee reflects the cost of maintaining readiness for League City residents when units are diverted to serve calls in Dickinson.
Since October 2025, League City has experienced a substantial increase in EMS mutual aid requests from Dickinson that is disproportionate to the number of requests League City makes to Dickinson.
Total Mutual Aid Requests Since 2024:
Dickinson to League City League City to Dickinson
2024 4 6
2025 4 3
2026 (October - March) 2 94
10 103
A review of the agreement determined that the readiness (standby) fees set forth in Exhibit A have not been updated since 2020 and no longer reflect the City’s actual cost of maintaining EMS availability.
The proposed amendment updates only the readiness fees charged to the City of Dickinson, as follows:
• Non-Transport Calls: Increase from $150 to $375 per call
• Transport Calls: Increase from $1,000 to $1,700 per transport
These readiness fees are separate from, and in addition to, patient service charges. While the updated readiness fees align with League City’s current EMS service rates, they are intended to recover the City’s cost of maintaining operational readiness when resources are deployed outside its jurisdiction. All other terms of the agreement remain unchanged. This adjustment is intended to better account for personnel, equipment, and operational impacts associated with the increased volume of mutual aid responses and to ensure equitable cost recovery.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Exhibit A - First Amendment
3. Original Interlocal with Dickinson (RES 2020-138)
FUNDING
{X} Fees will post to revenue account #0100-43640 (EMS Service Fees)
STRATEGIC PLANNING
{X} Addresses Strategic Planning Critical Success Factor # 2 Financially Sustainable