[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6274750,"mediaKeyId","2985956-6391e580a0d4d3de2dac8f0bde182ac4","parentId",2985956,"title","El Campo approves $224,237 purchase of five powered EMS stretchers","audioSeconds",282,"startMs",2550000,"endMs",2832000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985956-6391e580a0d4d3de2dac8f0bde182ac4&start=2550&end=2832","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985956-6391e580a0d4d3de2dac8f0bde182ac4/thumbnail_2550000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6274750/El-Campo/Wharton-County/Texas/El-Campo-approves-224237-purchase-of-five-powered-EMS-stretchers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274750-3463917234a6ed311f65a9af058fc888/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185294&Signature=YF1HrUskJIoVl~xEybeYs0Ukm-372pbbJdqzQkMv4zAtcc4WjObVu8t-35TjNyrYHOe1ukMGfvL1N49eszRGq-4coKX7Zegn7MY4ZSxcmM8wS99Ie09cs3bCc7xz-CPsrZlI-~IKQP-FRvVTbvt3SDqjfdyU~y1gDICOvdtLw0JDiqLZ2-~yFKzkqYFHz5kqoWtBTxFCAioVNnjYeqo9LbDmLVAtb3ZEmTsldYSypNaVbD8Ax06JoWDFo1INcsx7yFHxqs18JKKtA0YjEmT8UOybjBzLVfqZB2EueB9FrpYpbmY1YFVU0tnCJ-HOY02CSwVpPGPtv8SoZpggWhTr9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of El Campo, TX","date","2025-04-15T00:38:00.797Z","article","The El Campo City Council approved the purchase of five powered Stryker EMS stretchers, extra batteries and chargers and a five‑year extended service plan at a total cost of $224,237.17.

Staff said the city began replacing manual stretchers with powered models in 2010 and that the existing powered stretchers are now eight to 14 years old, exceeding the manufacturer’s recommended seven‑year service life. The manufacturer discontinued the older model in March 2025 and will phase out servicing, which accelerated the need for replacements.

An EMS selection committee evaluated two major brands and recommended Stryker because it allowed the city to retain existing ambulance power bases; staff said choosing an alternate brand would have required replacing power bases and raised the total cost by approximately $353,000.

Staff reported the city has exceeded its mid‑year EMS billing revenue projections and plans to fund the purchase from that revenue; quotes for trade‑in or resale of the old stretchers are expected to recover about $20,000–$24,000.

A council member moved and the council approved the purchase. The motion passed and the vendor reported an estimated delivery of three to four weeks.

Staff will complete purchase arrangements and arrange trade‑in or disposal of the older stretchers per city policy.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of El Campo City Council Regular Meeting - April 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved purchasing five Stryker powered EMS stretchers with batteries, chargers and a five‑year extended service plan for a total of $224,237.17; funding will come from EMS billing revenue and trade‑in of old stretchers is expected to recover $20,000–$24,000.","taxTitle","El Campo, Wharton County, Texas","taxId",69629,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274754,"El Campo awards Town and Country street reconstruction to Matagorda Construction for up to $3.19 million",604,2013000,2617000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985956-6391e580a0d4d3de2dac8f0bde182ac4&start=2013&end=2617","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985956-6391e580a0d4d3de2dac8f0bde182ac4/thumbnail_2013000.jpg","/articles/6274754/El-Campo/Wharton-County/Texas/El-Campo-awards-Town-and-Country-street-reconstruction-to-Matagorda-Construction-for-up-to-319-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274754-7b414da857f605dbcfccb15bde5b92c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185294&Signature=Jl0rfHz85TV09p6ZMbvxg69HM-jShNYRbNP1t5Rhxq0~V47tR9x2M05~17DZMVuQHETxajAdZcZHuGwCgUn89-e4VW0daR8QXvuyVDz33hUlls5lCJvOT2CBzM~GKyF4KAeTqAY6eal3Ovhkm8WQ9qfWDGoc1CsmMRRmtiZDNo05Y~-RPwNdDUZDwb4t9zg7gYoBIA3pXkA12YiKgsq4pJ-Cq7NZUBtxbgi0vX5CFlIlww-Y52s61A4XEt7rNPPMl61cwTrM-KBN2e2cyZ6IY6Jcu0-qU09H-h3OFIqISr8VQlHYX9xSTaAGcjPzAYy7KB8QhkN58pNsLO27QibFIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Campo City Council on its April 2025 meeting awarded the Town and Country Neighborhood Street Reconstruction Phase 1 contract to Matagorda Construction and Materials in an amount not to exceed $3,191,537, authorizing the city manager or designee to execute related documents.

City staff and the project engineer said the project’s original low bid had been $5,441,118; staff and the council then rejected initial bids and re-scoped the contract, removing a utility component and adjusting storm-sewer specifications to allow more competitive bidding. The re-scope reduced the project cost and brought it within the city’s available funding.

Engineer Brian Greer of Quiddity (in the audience) and staff explained that the revised scope included drainage and road reconstruction for Phase 1 and that Phase 2 would cover additional streets (for example Myatt and Wallace). Greer said the main technical change was in storm-sewer design and that bid alternates included options such as concrete versus plastic pipe; staff said some drainage segments are out of the travel way and can use different pipe standards.

Council members praised the approach that cut costs. One council member said the shift saved taxpayers nearly $2.5 million compared with the earlier low bid. Council members also asked staff to present the utility improvements and full project accounting at an upcoming meeting so the council could see how the overall program fits the adopted budget.

A motion to award the contract to Matagorda Construction was moved and seconded; the motion carried. The transcript records the motion passed but does not record a roll-call tally.

Staff noted Matagorda Construction was unable to attend the meeting due to a family emergency but was vetted by the city engineer. The contract is to proceed under the revised Phase 1 scope; staff will return with additional budget details, including utility improvements and prior pre-paid engineering charges, for council review.","The council approved Resolution R2025-23 awarding the Town and Country Neighborhood reconstruction Phase 1 to Matagorda Construction and Materials for an amount not to exceed $3,191,537 after rebidding and scope adjustments that removed a utility component and lowered costs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274759,"El Campo council rejects temporary waiver of special‑use permit fee for private car sales",704,1260000,1964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985956-6391e580a0d4d3de2dac8f0bde182ac4&start=1260&end=1964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985956-6391e580a0d4d3de2dac8f0bde182ac4/thumbnail_1260000.jpg","/articles/6274759/El-Campo/Wharton-County/Texas/El-Campo-council-rejects-temporary-waiver-of-specialuse-permit-fee-for-private-car-sales","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274759-054c574a9fabc3068fe78f10e32068c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185295&Signature=ewPXxZew4TLJk73esas94C094UlnIY58sU6QT~ddrYon8Rwtl33Hj7J1YCuobdB-9T4h4LRm6HSznLrRjnUWIwNLr2JnpwuZ-nS6SOJSpfPHxY-hneVsz-VHH4-8Qfj2ou9p9Vi9TPGyTMwmcqyTsxKfzt4JBqPtYYdhQqq4ZKaYUpu3xM-AgTjJplfsWA617JfSWJWAkBRzq7YBu1Mo57PBm5ZuspD0k8ESVoCogKhl05yJ1yvN4hIDLj7e~Hkw-qKW~gzXdgDlpxy9dyHJPlOy5eHRPOgER71sW1W1M7WVs8TpFEIewNnF~2B3MV4gw8zgsEPlqWlKNIwTK0cihA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Campo City Council debated and ultimately did not approve Resolution R2025-22, which would have waived the $250 special‑use permit (SUP) application fee for 90 days from the March 24 adoption date for businesses or property owners now allowing private vehicles for sale on their property.

Staff told the council the SUP is a zoning process regulated by state law that requires public notice and Planning & Zoning review. A planning staff member explained the fee covers publication notices and the typical timeline: \"The SUP process is zoning related, so it's regulated by state law. So we would process it like we do any SUP where it gets publicly noticed. It goes to PNC and it comes to you all,\" the planning staff member said. Staff proposed a 90‑day waiver of the $250 fee to allow current property owners to apply without paying while the city contacts affected properties.

Public comment opposed the rule change and fee. Dustin, a Wharton County resident, told the council he opposed the proposed restrictions and complained that permitting would make business harder: \"I don't believe y'all should be making these ordinances. Y'all just making it harder for people,\" he said, adding concerns that the city was favoring established dealerships and imposing unnecessary costs on property owners.

Council debate focused on distinguishing isolated owner-permitted sales from commercial used-car lots and on enforcement. One council member suggested an alternative: allow a property owner to permit one or two private sales without the $250 fee if the owner provides written permission to validate activity; others raised concerns about enforcement and how code officers would distinguish temporary private sales from de facto used‑car lots.

A motion to approve Resolution R2025-22 as presented was made and seconded, but the motion failed. The transcript records that the motion failed; no roll-call tally is recorded in the audio transcript.

Council members asked staff to revisit the ordinance and bring back alternate language that could allow a property owner to permit a small number of private sales with proof of permission, and to publicize any future changes so property owners and affected businesses can comment before the item returns to the council.","The council debated waiving the $250 special‑use permit (SUP) application fee for property owners who allow private vehicles for sale on their lots and ultimately rejected Resolution R2025-22; discussion centered on property rights, enforcement and distinguishing one-off private sales from commercial used‑car lots.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274765,"El Campo council postpones museum funding resolution pending details about operations and costs",390,394000,784000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985956-6391e580a0d4d3de2dac8f0bde182ac4&start=394&end=784","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985956-6391e580a0d4d3de2dac8f0bde182ac4/thumbnail_394000.jpg","/articles/6274765/El-Campo/Wharton-County/Texas/El-Campo-council-postpones-museum-funding-resolution-pending-details-about-operations-and-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274765-e499284c8036e4ea1511aa58ee9f5f2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185295&Signature=M6Fl4eMm6Gfj0bj6Sp5qFucBUHYTpD88wBgWGdZQIYNSGj6RO0fLsyfRyWqgbRNATBsRVpqOF4epK9zdG2ZMo8bNCN8YmxVKXhY69MSjv9cm8ZVCvfYwnZhDXE-mBYaa4zGQSMmzi4SzGW349GRNDW~6l5UZk4YoaFz6X9sMGzm7wc~IOzuj4MOPCl0nEkjkeryzWpsf38uDDeZ~JQ6dTCDztvZMsiqq3ST3QinBxs2MoTKJ~S3HEWseg4fvcC-Jgw1c-XMLY2-49HelNF2UbNUkegvRQM3Vg~jH8n7PFli7f6Sgj-PR7YysPifhpAfI2N55LFWe~Nd49tdbopNSVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Campo City Council on its April 2025 meeting voted to postpone action on Resolution R2025-21 so staff can supply more information about the museum’s operations and the terms of a funding agreement.

Several council members said they support continued funding in principle but do not have enough detail about how the city’s budgeted funds would be used or whether written agreements are in place to define the museum’s mission, hours and reporting. One council member said, \"As a council person, before we vote to spend money on it, I'd like to know where that money is going and what they're doing,\" and specifically asked for mission, hours and visitor counts.

City staff said funds for the museum were included in the budget but acknowledged the city does not yet have signed agreements with every agency that receives support. Staff said they are making a coordinated effort to secure formal agreements and offered to amend the resolution to include parameters such as mission and hours. City staff also said the city leases the building space to the museum rent-free, and provides utilities and building maintenance, though detailed insurance costs and other in-kind expenses were not immediately available.

Councilman Hodges and other members discussed the historical context: the city had previously accepted donated animals and provided space and insurance for them, which helped spur city involvement with the museum. Council members asked that staff provide a written funding agreement showing deliverables, hours of operation and cost breakdown before the council acts on funding.

A motion was made to amend the pending approval and postpone consideration until the next meeting; the amendment carried and the resulting motion to postpone passed. The transcript does not include a formal roll-call tally.

Staff were directed to compile the museum’s mission statement, hours of operation, visitor counts, a history of prior agreements and an accounting of insurance and other city costs so the council can review the full scope of city support before approving funding.","Council members postponed consideration of Resolution R2025-21, which would provide city funds to the local museum, and asked staff to return with written agreements and details about the museum’s mission, hours, visitor counts and insurance costs.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274770,"El Campo amends voting ordinance to match Wharton County early-voting changes",358,733000,1091000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985956-6391e580a0d4d3de2dac8f0bde182ac4&start=733&end=1091","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985956-6391e580a0d4d3de2dac8f0bde182ac4/thumbnail_733000.jpg","/articles/6274770/El-Campo/Wharton-County/Texas/El-Campo-amends-voting-ordinance-to-match-Wharton-County-early-voting-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274770-bccc82a41546a815dc4d0ccbd598023b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185295&Signature=dCgxri9NLKvaIkRNSZIUItu2xib-d0XCaexaFqRd-~rAKyx9d5CiQAU-Mp~LSxeajaWSNEra3QMiMutCaETi~bh-hOqYcoKVKX9JCE~him9utvWgMtPXugMN01Sa9JZj9mnF6FnHOhdhaUZB8kSNlaRo-PLYLDT~gnUC1BHrVlbnuf~aGRVS-QDt~fcKfEWBxckJPcJjvyhbB~EPZklQX5KGPPex~RtGuLOOXUPICT8B0e8Wmr2CIYu~h8KDThTHatVyTq06uzVSezAqzTQbgiLA3drNekPF~0joTPQOfut5oouT-2q8PDJWvFvPOVZjv38iSVuAr-AyC5mCcQRoqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Campo City Council on its April 2025 meeting approved Ordinance 2025-06 to amend Ordinance 2025-03 and revise days, hours and locations for early and election-day voting for the May 3, 2025 general election.

Council members said the change was needed after the Wharton County Elections Administrator notified the city of modified early-voting schedules and polling locations that differ from the city’s existing service contract with the county. The city secretary said the school district requested additional hours and agreed to pay the extra cost, prompting the change.

City Secretary Kaylee Hudella explained the practical reason the city moved to amend the ordinance: \"We contract with the county, which means we have joint polling locations. Anytime one of the other entities is open for their polling, we should be open for the same hours as well,\" Hudella said. She added that the new county elections administrator is handling her first election and there was a breakdown in communication about the changes.

Hudella told the council the adjustments include pulling some hours and that an East Bernard polling location included in the city’s agreement will not operate this year. She also described the petition and approval process the county and other entities follow to change voting hours and locations, and said the school district’s request to extend hours was processed through the county and that the district agreed to cover the cost.

Council discussion focused on why the city had to change a long-standing schedule and whether the change applies only to this election. Hudella said the change is for this cycle unless parties request otherwise in future elections and noted that the city’s contract defaults to minimum hours required by the Texas Secretary of State.

A council member moved to approve the ordinance and a second was recorded. The motion passed; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally.

The ordinance amends the city’s voting schedule for the May 3, 2025 general election to reflect the county’s updated polling locations and extended hours where another jurisdiction requested and agreed to pay the additional costs.

Council members asked staff to clarify communications procedures with the county for future elections so the city receives earlier notice of changes. The amendment applies to the current election cycle and will be revisited in future cycles if locations or hours change again.","The El Campo City Council on an April 2025 meeting approved Ordinance 2025-06 to revise early-voting days, hours and polling locations for the May 3, 2025 general election after Wharton County changed its schedule and locations; the school district agreed to pay for extended hours.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

El Campo approves $224,237 purchase of five powered EMS stretchers

El Campo awards Town and Country street reconstruction to Matagorda Construction for up to $3.19 million

El Campo council rejects temporary waiver of special‑use permit fee for private car sales

El Campo council postpones museum funding resolution pending details about operations and costs

El Campo amends voting ordinance to match Wharton County early-voting changes