Dublin City Council officially voted to have Erath County take over the operations of Dublin EMS (effective Oct.1, 2025) during the regular meeting Monday, Sept. 8.
The vote followed a closed executive session and a corresponding vote by the Erath County Commissioners Court earlier in the day whereby the city of Dublin and Erath County entered into an interlocal agreement. (The vote passed with Commissioner Albert Ray abstaining due to conflict of interest.)
Interim Dublin City Manager Camron Ray reported the vote was the culmination of several weeks of discussion and will help to alleviate an already stressed budget for the city.
In a prepared statement, Ray said: “The decision comes after years of rapidly rising costs associated with providing EMS services.”
It was reported the cost to operate the department increased nearly 3,000 % between 2010 and 2025 while revenue only increased 125% in the same period. An example of rising costs was given in the cost of a new ambulance which has risen from around $175,000 in 2020 to as much as $350,000 today.
“It is important to note that this decision was not driven by any malfeasance of funds or mismanagement,” Ray read. “Rather it reflects the simple reality that the cost of doing business has gone up substantially, and continuing under the same model would have become unsustainable.”
Under the new cooperation, Dublin will continue to be served by the same ambulances, station and staff (although the uniform will change to reflect Erath County.)
The county will assume full operational responsibility with the city locking in a fixed annual contract for 15 years. It was projected that the difference in expenses will save the city nearly $11 million in that period. The county is set to purchase the city’s new EMS station at a cost of $850,000 to be deducted from the total EMS contract, along with all EMS equipment. Ray said the total asset transfer would be roughly $1.4 million and yearly payments prorated for 15 years, with no payment years one and two. Payments would then be roughly $204,000 a year compared to the $900,000 a year it is currently costing the city to run the EMS department.
“This partnership has been discussed for the last 10+ years and it ensures that our citizens will continue to receive the same high level of emergency medical care they have always relied on,” said Dublin mayor David Leatherwood.
Ray also thanked Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee and Dublin EMS Director John Tadlock for their “invaluable leadership, guidance and partnership throughout this process.”
Ray also assured that the switch doesn’t signal a loss of local control to Dublin with tax paying residents already paying into county taxes and having the ability to vote in county elections for leaders who will be involved with EMS oversight.
“Pooling resources and sharing responsibility ensures our residents receive reliable, professional care without overextending the city’s limited budget,” said Ray. “In the long run, this agreement strengthens both Dublin and Erath County and ensures our community remains protected both physically and financially.”
City leaders emphasized the decision ensures ‘Dublin families can continue to count on timely, professional EMS care for years to come while also protecting the long-term sustainability of city services.’