County discusses ambulance billing

By Tony Farkas
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COLDSPRING — A request by the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office for an additional ambulance service for the jail was sidestepped after the SO worked out the issues with Allegiance Medical Service.

SO Chief Deputy Tim Kean told the County Commissioners Court on Wednesday there was a discrepancy with the billing, and the costs for transporting inmates went from $367 to $2,800 per trip, which would wipe out the budget.

However, Kean said they have worked out the issue, which stemmed from a recent software update that  reset all rates to Allegiance’s non-contract rate.

Representatives with Allegiance told the commission that the service only bills the jail the Texas Medicaid minimum charge, which is an 80 percent discount. They did say that three bills were paid at the non-contract rate; however, they also said the jail has unpaid bills, so there are discussions as to how to come to a solution.

In other business, the county:

•opened bids for demolition of properties bought out under a grant for hurricane recovery, but did not issue approval and instead referred the bids to the grant administrator to be qualified;

•approved a $25,306.52 bid by Bellview Acquisitions for the purchase of 4.7 acres of county property in Hill Creek addition;

•tabled a donation of grant-funded tasers and body cameras to find better costs;

•consented to a road use agreement that was in place as parties involved have changed;

•approved an interlocal agreement with the city of Shepherd for the construction of a concession stand and restrooms at the city’s ballpark;

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•approved an agreement with Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences for autopsy work;

•cast 863 votes for Mike Corvell and 864 for Sky Spivey for membership on the SJC Appraisal District board;

•approved the $24,478 purchase of four 30 cubic yard open-top containers, to be paid for from the funds set aside for an unfilled position;

•approved selling the former Extension Office building in Shepherd and using the funds to finish offices under construction in Coldspring;

•approved preliminary plats for Live Water Farms and Cranford Estates;

•approved an easement for PBSC to run a water line across county-owned land;

•approved naming a private road Salem Pine Road;

•approved setting Jan. 24, 2024, as a date for a workshop on subdivision rules and regulations;

•denied the creation of a subdivision off of Lee Turner Road for Jose Alariaz;

•approved an entrance for Peach Creek to its proposed landfill, pending TCEQ approval; and

•approved staining some of the concrete in the new Innovation Center building.