Report Prepared by: Derek Parker, Fire Chief, Fire Department
Title
SUBJECT: Public Hearing - Merced Fire Department Emergency Medical Services Fee Schedule
REPORT IN BRIEF
Public Hearing to hear comments and adopt a resolution for the Merced Fire Department's Emergency Medical Services Fee Schedule.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt Resolution 2023-85, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Adopting the Fire Department's Master Fee Schedule - Emergency Medical Services and to Adjust Existing Fees for Inflation.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
4. Continue item to a Future Council meeting; or,
5. Deny the request.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 412. Adoption of ordinances and resolutions.
California Government Code Sections 66014, 66016
California Health and Safety Code Section 19132-19132.3
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public Safety, as provided for in the 2023/24 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
History
The California Constitution grants cities the authority to establish fees to recover the cost of providing services. Previous City Council's (1998) direction was to ensure that existing fees were calibrated to the cost of providing services. Since that time, the Fire Department's Master fees have been periodically adjusted to reflect the cost of doing business.
On September 6, 2022, City Council approved the First Responder Fee Feasibility Study written by the third-party consultant, AP Triton; provided general support for MFD to return with a proposed resolution for the first responder fee; and to provide direction to establish a policy to defer billing all Medi-Cal and Medicare recipients and Private Party Merced City residents and provide direction to establish a Compassion Waiver Policy.
Following council direction, an Emergency Medical Services Fee Schedule for ...
Click here for full text