City Council Work Session - April 7, 2026

The City Council Work Session of San Marcos on April 7, 2026, focused extensively on the potential transition of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to a standalone city-operated department. The council reviewed detailed presentations on the financial implications, workforce considerations, and operational planning for establishing EMS as a third municipal public safety service. Key procurement-related discussions included the hiring process for a new EMS chief, with a proposed timeline for recruitment and onboarding, and the exploration of labor protections and consultation policies for EMS employees transitioning to city employment. The council examined comparative cost analyses between maintaining the current EMS model and moving to a city-run service, highlighting concerns about funding shifts due to the withdrawal of Emergency Services District 9 from the partnership. The meeting also addressed the continuity of care, clinical oversight, and integration with existing city services. Council members debated the urgency of the transition timeline, the need for a contingency plan, and the importance of legislative advocacy for employee protections. The council committed to including union representation in the EMS chief hiring process and agreed to continue evaluating the transition with a focus on financial clarity and workforce stability. No formal votes on procurement actions were recorded during this session, but clear direction was sought on proceeding with the EMS chief recruitment and further labor agreement analysis.