It was a discussion item only and the consensus turned out to be that the Early City Council needed more time to research and discuss ambulance service within the city of Early.

At Tuesday evening’s regular meeting, the council discussed approving an ordinance with Guardian EMS which would eliminate the ability of Heart of Texas Ambulance Service to operate in the city.

Ross Bradley, chief operating officer of Guardian EMS told the council that it wasn’t a good idea for the city to allow two ambulance services to operate.

“Typically competition fosters good business but that’s not necessarily the case with public service,” Bradley said.

Bradley also told the council that there had been rumors of his company being in noncompliance and those accusations are unfounded.

David Furry of Heart of Texas Ambulance Service told the council that his company wouldn’t affect the 911 calls. They would solely do transport.

He said it has worked well in other counties because they found that by allowing Heart of Texas to do the transports, it frees up the other service to handle the 911 calls.

“I personally don’t see any benefit to an ordinance,” Furry said.

Furry added that if passed the ordinance, as it read six months ago, “will cause us to have to leave the city of Early.”

The council formed a committee made up of B.J. McCullough and Bennie Allcorn to further research the ordinance and bring their ideas back to the council at a later date.

The City of Brownwood recently went through a similar process which ultimately prohibited Heart of Texas Ambulance Service from operating in Brownwood.

In other business, the council approved an advance funding agreement between the city of Early and the Texas Department of Transportation for the Highway 84/183 S. project which will widen the highway to five lanes from Turtle Creek to Delaware Creek and address drainage issues along the way including a portion of Buffalo Trail.

Through TxDOT, the city’s portion of the $4.5 million project will be $70,400, not including easements.

At 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 16, City Administrator Ken Thomas said they will draw for a place on the ballot for all three council incumbents: B.J. McCullough, Benny Allcorn and Charles Matlock, as well as two new candidates: Paul Smithson and Bobby Brinson.