PRESENTER: Presenter
Sandy Paulos, Director of Finance
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of the second and final reading of an ordinance amending Section 138-93 entitled Fees for Service, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Braunfels, to adjust fees for services provided by the New Braunfels Fire Department Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division.
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DEPARTMENT: Fire
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: all
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
New Braunfels Fire Department EMS rates have not been amended since 2003. They also currently use itemized billing for supplies and treatments in addition to the base rates. Using this billing model, the average collection rate for the City is only 4% of the itemized charges and only 19% of total charges.
Using a flat rate billing model where the cost of related supplies and treatments are rolled into the various base rates, while also increasing the rates to more accurately reflect current costs, would allow the average collection rates to improve significantly and would bring the City’s rates more in line with benchmark and regional cities.
Changes in the EMS rates would not financially affect City residents. This is due to our longstanding practice to not balance bill residents. Therefore, insurance companies and non-residents are who will be impacted by the increased rates, again, which have not been increased since 2003.
The proposed rates below are in line with the average rates of local cities within Comal County. These entities also carry whole blood, as does the City, and transport to the same hospitals and trauma centers, making them good comparator cities.
ISSUE:
Adjusting EMS fees for Services to increase average collection rates and attempt to recover more related costs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Increasing fees and thereby improving average collection rates will ultimately bring more revenue into the General Fund, which will help to offset the increased cost of providing service across the City of New Braunfels.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends increasing EMS Fees for Services as shown in the table, effective 4th Quarter - FY 2022. City Council unanimously approved this ordinance change at the May 9, 2022 meeting.