Selection process called into question
Questions over a selection process on a new contract for medical director services led Kendall County Commissioners Court to table a decision this week.
Archangel EMD LLC has emerged as the frontrunner among some commissioners, though a review committee ranked it as a third choice.
Boerne has already picked Archangel as a city provider, but some commissioners argue that should not have an impact on the county’s choice.
Ken Styskal, a physician and the county’s current emergency medical services director, cited disagreements with some commissioners and chose not to renew his contract.
County Judge Shane Stolarczyk raised concerns about the selection process.
“I know that one of the reasons why Archangel was selected was because the city of Boerne is doing it,” Stolarczyk said. “However, the city of Boerne is not contracting with the same doctor that we’re being provided, so we’re not doing it the same way as Boerne. I know legally there may be a way to salvage this, but I think this was handled improperly.”
After some heated debate, commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to table the matter pending further review.
Commissioners Chad Carpenter and Richard Chapman are convening a new committee and restarting the interview process.
“I know that one of the reasons why Archangel was selected was because the city of Boerne is doing it.”
— County Judge Shane Stolarczyk Kendall County Emergency Services Administrator Brian Webb praised Styskal’s record, noting the county had not faced any legal action during his tenure as medical director.
“He lived in this community,” Webb said. “He served his community. He still wants to serve his community. He’s never got into the politics side of it, and this has gotten ugly, and he’s discouraged by the negativity toward him personally over this situation.”
During the initial search for a new provider, the county had issued a request for qualifications, and a committee was formed to evaluate three candidates, including Archangel.
According to Chapman, committee members remained anonymous, even to one another, and ranked physician Mark Ogden as the top candidate.
Ogden previously served as Styskal’s backup physician.
Despite Archangel’s third ranking, commissioners Jennifer McCall, Andra Wisian and Carpenter selected the firm, departing from what several officials described as a 30-year practice of hiring an individual physician rather than a corporation.
During the Sept. 22 session, Sisterdale Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brian Reilly told commissioners the city of Boerne entered into a contract with Archangel earlier this year and spoke in favor of the county making a similar transition.
“The people in the county deserve the highest standard of care possible,” Reilly said. “It’s important to recognize that this started somewhere, and the people who put that together did a hell of a job doing that. But Kendall County has evolved since then.”
In a separate interview with the Star, Reilly said Archangel offers a more hands-on approach, including training, advocacy and protocol management.
“Dr. Styskal is a very good person and did the best he could for the county,” Reilly said. “EMS services have evolved since this system was first created, and expectations are different today.”
Meanwhile, Chapman expressed concerns about the potential cost of switching providers.
“We’re currently at $43,000 a year to what could be upwards of over $140,000, which ultimately the taxpayers are going to end up paying,” Chapman said. “I would listen to the medics, and their opinion should count here.”
Chapman also urged fellow commissioners to follow the county’s procurement process.
“We went with a purchasing department for a reason, and it doesn’t take you very long to look out across the state of Texas, even within some of our neighbors, and find commissioners and judges that are going to jail, and that is because they did not follow procurement procedures,” Chapman said.
Wisian argued the process lacked clarity.
“I will not be bound by not having information and being asked to make a decision,” Wisian said.
She also said the estimated cost Chapman stated might not be accurate.
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