Laredo Audit & Accountability Committee Meeting, 09/29/2026

The City of Laredo Audit & Accountability Committee meeting on September 29, 2026, focused on an audit of ambulance billing and collections. The audit identified software problems affecting automated billing and payment posting, manual processes, and limited staffing. The city bills about $10 million annually, collects approximately $4.7 million, and reported gross ambulance receivables of $65.3 million as of September 30, 2025; officials cited a current collection rate of about 6.7%. Advanced Claims software costs approximately $7,000 per month, but staff said it is not functioning as intended. Members discussed evaluating the software, existing arrangements, and possible third-party billing or collections support, but made no vendor selection or contract award. No procurement spending action was approved.

The committee discussed the need to revisit the city’s ambulance debt write-off policy, which officials said had been repealed, and to review related ordinance provisions, service rates, payment timelines, and credit-card fees. Staff were asked to develop recommendations and bring a timely item forward for council consideration; the committee planned to meet again the following month. The committee also discussed staffing for the audit function, including an unfunded auditor position, but did not approve a budget change. The minutes were approved; no other procurement-related vote was identified.