Memo Resolution Approval of Interlocal Agreement and Appointment of Health AuthorityCITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM/RESOLUTION
City Council Meeting: October 28, 2008
Department:
EMS
Agenda No. 2
Subject: Approval of Interlocal Agreement and Appointment
of Health Authority
BACKGROUND:
After the attacks of 9/11 and the subsequent usage of the Anthrax virus as a weapon in multiple locations
across the United States, many jurisdictions realized that they had a potential need for an Emergency
Health Authority. The City of San Antonio and Bexar County realized that not only was there a need to
increase their own preparations, but that there was also a need to insure that the surrounding jurisdictions
were also better prepared for man-made and natural disasters. In an effort to reach out to surrounding
jurisdictions, the Metropolitan Health District has attempted to bring all neighboring jurisdictions in and
around Bexar County underneath its umbrella, naming the District's Director, Dr. Fernando Guerra,
Health Authority so that during times of emergency, Dr. Guerra would have the ability and the authority
to act uniformly across the region to assist with public health emergencies. The City of Schertz has
signed this two year interlocal agreement in 2004 and 2006, and in 2008 we are being requested to re -sign
this interlocal agreement and to approve Dr. Guerra as the City's Health Authority.
FISCAL IMPACT
This interlocal agreement has no fiscal'impact unless the services of Dr. Fernando Guerra are utilized
during times of emergency or non - emergency. If the services are utilized, as with all other mutual aid
services used in times of local or regional disaster, the City will be required to reimburse the Metropolitan
Health District at its standard rates for the services rendered as funds are available to do so.
To clarify, if we need services for a local problem that is not an emergency (such as a local outbreak of
TB at the Schertz Housing Authority) then the City would be billed for the services provided by Dr.
Guerra. These services would probably be of a minimal cost and could be paid out of budgeted or reserve
funds.
If the City is involved in a large scale bio- terrorist attack resulting in the illness of hundreds if not
thousands of our residents, Dr. Guerra would be pressed into action here and most likely across the
region. The costs of these services could be extensive and, if they exceeded the ability of the City to
compensate for them, the City would most likely be eligible for emergency funding from the State or the
Federal Government to help compensate for all of the costs of such a catastrophic emergency. In this
instance, payment would be delayed until the City receives available funds.
If services are not used at anytime (which they have not been through the last 4 years of this interlocal
agreement) then there is no cost to the City.
Memo- Resolotion.doc
City Council Memorandum
Page 2
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the interlocal agreement and appoint Dr. Fernando Guerra as the
City's Health Authority.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ:
That the above stated staff recommendations are hereby approved and authorized.
PASSED AND APPROVED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas this
28th day of October, 2008, at which meeting a quorum was present, held in accordance with the
provisions of the Texas Government Code, §551.001 et seq., as amended.
ATTEST:
Brenda Dennis, City Secretary
Memo- Resolution.doc