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CITY OF SOUTH BEND OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> Mr. Skwarcan replied, Well, you can look at last years rates versus this year's rates. Most of them <br /> are modest increases. So, not really anything too major there. I would point out that our two (2) <br /> most used codes are the Advanced Life Support Emergency ALS1, so that's code A0427. And <br /> then there's also Basic Life Support Emergency Code A0429. Those are, I would say ninety <br /> percent(90%) of our billings. Then the only other thing that I would point out new for this year is <br /> our Paramedic Intercept code. So,that code AZL432 so that's why you'll see non applicable in the <br /> previous ordinance. So,this kind of coincides with the ambulance chase cars that we're doing now <br /> for ambulance staffing. So, we're staffing our ambulances with advanced EMT's, and we have <br /> Paramedics. We have one (1) chase car that's funded by the County, and then two (2) paramedic <br /> cars that the City funds. So,those will go out in the event that paramedic level services are needed <br /> where they are not on most of our calls. So, it's a little more efficient staffing model,but then this <br /> billing code will allow us to use that also. <br /> Committemember John Voorde asked, Will you still have to come back every year? <br /> Mr. Skwarcan replied,So,we will report and inform Council of the rate changes,and then basically <br /> you will affirm those after the Chief makes a recommendation, but we'll still provide the annual <br /> report. We wouldn't come back. The increases would be self-effectuating as long as you didn't <br /> stop them. <br /> Councilmember Tim Scott stated, I appreciate you guys staying on top of this. I remember when <br /> you guys started coming on a regular basis so thank you. <br /> Committee Chair White then opened the floor to members of the public wishing to speak in favor <br /> of or in opposition to this legislation. <br /> Murray Miller, 23698 Western Ave., South Bend, IN stated, I always wondered what are the user <br /> fees used for?There was a recent story elsewhere(not here in South Bend), and it was determined <br /> that if the person in the ambulance could not pay the fees, they could not be transported in the <br /> ambulance which led to a death. <br /> Mr. Skwarcan replied, No, we don't ask any billing questions when our medics are on call. They <br /> don't raise any of those questions when they are on call,but for the first(1St)part of your question <br /> you asked what are the user fees for? So, they go directly to support the operations of the Fire <br /> Department. So, right now those revenues are captured and turned back into the operations of the <br /> department. <br /> Committemember John Voorde asked, Don't these fees now go to the General Fund? <br /> Dan Parker, City Controller for the City of South Bend with offices on the 12th floor of the County- <br /> City Building, stated, A portion of them do. <br /> Committemember John Voorde stated, Last week in your presentation I thought there was a <br /> change. There was a blending of funds. <br /> Mr. Skwarcan replied to Councilmember Voorde, Just to answer your question last Monday is <br /> more closely in line with what we have done in years past. Even with adding with Finance to kind <br /> EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building 227W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov <br /> 2 <br />