City to consider STEC contract Tuesday

By JOE BOCANEGRA
Special to the NEWS

San Benito City Commissioners will consider the approval of a contract with South Texas Emergency Care (STEC) for ambulance service during a regular meeting on Tuesday.

Commissioners tabled a previous offer made by STEC during a Dec. 18 meeting. Assistant City Manager Art Rodriguez said at that time, “We gave an opportunity for other EMS services to apply to work for the City of San Benito.”

There are currently two bids that have been reviewed by the city: STEC and Cameron EMS.

Back in January, Medcare, the previous EMS provider, chose not to renew their contract with the city, invoking a clause in the original contract.

“It is an extension clause,” City Manager Manuel Lara said. “When the contract expired, we asked them to give us a month-by-month coverage until we had a new provider.” Lara said that if the contract is not approved with STEC then the coverage will continue.

The contract up for review is a six-month probationary agreement. According to Lara, if, at the end of the period, the city is not pleased with the service, then bids will again be sought.

According to Rodriguez, contract negotiations have been ongoing. “I have been in negotiations with STEC with the pending contract,” Rodriguez said. “At the moment, the commission is looking it over, and they will voice any concerns they have with it during the Tuesday meeting.”

Mayor Joe H. Hernandez said, “The commission made the decision to do business with STEC (in December), and it was up to the administration for the discussion of terms for the city. At this point if the administration is recommending approving the contract, then the commission will probably agree to it.”

Representatives from STEC will make their case in front of the commissioners during the upcoming meeting.

Read this story in the March 17 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.