PRESENTER: Presenter
Karrie Cook, Budget Manager
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of the second and final reading of an ordinance to amend New Braunfels Code of Ordinances Article IV- Sec. 138-93 and Appendix D by adopting new fees for EMS Rates, restructuring of the Licensed Hospital Inspection Fee, and moving fees to Appendix D.
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DEPARTMENT: Fire Department
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The New Braunfels Fire Department serves to provide high-quality Fire and EMS Services to the New Braunfels Community. The fees charged for ambulance services were last raised in the summer of 2023. The quality of service provided by the City of New Braunfels Fire Department ranks among the highest in the state, let alone the region. This level of service has increased costs for equipment and personnel. Staff, in consultation with City Council, are proposing a series of revisions to the code of ordinances that will adjust fees and implement policy adjustments. Adjusting these rates as proposed would place the City’s fees in line with the average of other upper-tier services in our region. These fee adjustments were also developed in collaboration with our third-party billing/collection agency, who confirmed they are aligned with industry standards. As a reminder, these fees do not impact residents the insurance is the entity who is billed for service. Residents are not balance billed for any fees not recovered by the insurance company.
Additionally, staff also recommends adjusting the licensed hospital inspection fee with a minimum and maximum charge. The update to this fee will help cover the organization's costs incurred as a result of the inspection.
The proposed fee modifications are as follows:
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APPENDIX D FEE SCHEDULE
Sec. A. Schedule of Fees.
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ISSUE:
Update of fees for the City of New Braunfels Fire Department
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
Strategic Priority: Organizational Excellence
Objective: Considering statutory and market-based factors, continue to diversify revenue streams to support the long-term fiscal sustainability of the organization.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Any projected revenue because of the fee modifications will be incorporated into future budgets.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance change.