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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEstablishing a User Fee Ambulance/Medical services Fire DepartmentPassed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana October 23 Yq 78 IRENE K. GAMMON P Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana. October 24 �9 78 City Clerk of Common Council IRENE K. GAMMON Approved and signed by me e e _ R s Igo Clerk ORDINANCE NO. 6483 -78 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A USER FEE FOR THE USE OF AMBULANCE /MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, THROUGH ITS PARAMEDIC BRANCH OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT While the City of South Bend feels that providing Ambulance/ Paramedic services is of benefit to the overall population of the City, it also feels that it is both prudent and realistic to expect individuals who use this service to pay a fee which will partially offset the expense of said service. It is the intent of this ordinance to establish a fee. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend: SECTION I. There shall be established a user fee of $35.00 per occurrence for services rendered by the City of South Bend through its Ambulance /Paramedic service of the Fire Department when a person is actually transported. SECTION II. The Board of Public Safety shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry into effect the intent of this ordinance. SECTION III. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Common Council, approval by the Mayor, and the fulfillment of all statutory requirements. Passed,. as amended, October 23, 1978 Peter H. Mullen Director, Administration and Finance Members of South Bend County -City South Bend, CITY of SOUTH BEND PETER J. NEMETH, Mayor COUNTY -CITY BUILDING SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 46601 September 20, 1978 the Common Council Common Council Building; 4th floor IV 46601 Dear Council Members: 219/284 -9742 Attached is an ordinance establishing a cost for ambulance service provided by our Fire Department. As you are aware, from the inception of this service the City has never charged for this service even though the cost of operation has increased. Most communities,not only in this area but state wide, charge a fee for service. Because our service is provided without a charge, it is estimated that at least 1/3 of the ambulance runs are either for a taxi service or of a non - emergency nature. These calls, we feel, will be virtually eliminated; thus, freeing the paramedics to handle only those calls that are a valid emergency. Further, it is anticipated that the calls that come into the 911 number will be reduced, as will any back up police assistance. Therefore, we are requesting a fee of $35.00 be set for all ambulance runs. This fee will be inclusive; that is, there will be no additional charges for mileage, treatment, or drugs. The maximum for any ambulance run will, therefore, be $35.00. Consistent with the administrations' policy on Senior Citizens, it is our decision to set a rate of $20.00 for all city residents over the age'-of 65. It is our feeling that with these established rates we could receive, with a maximum collection effort, over $100,000.00, and that the majority of this can be collected from insurance companies. Your approval of this is appreciated. Si rely, Peter H. Mullen City Controller agd -1977 Ambulance Runs = 5500 -2/3 for 1979 = 3666 - 50%/50% = ratio of Senior Citizens and Non- Senior Citizens - 1833 1833 x $35 x $20 $64,155 $36,660 -TOTAL $100,815.00 (To Or Tontum f11oundt of #4r (City of Ooid4 vrud: Your Committee OF THE WHOLE to whom was referred A BILL ESTABLSIHING A USER FEE FOR THE USE OF AMBULANCE/ MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, THROUGH ITS PARAMEDIC BRANCH OF THE FIRE DEPART- MENT. Respectfully report that they have examined the matter and that in their opinion THIS BILL SHOULD BE RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL FAVORABLE, AS AMENDED: In Section I, after Department, add "when a person is actually transported. Delete Section II, Section III becomes Section II, and Section IV becomes Section III. FRANK HORVATH Chairman FREE PRESS PUBLISHING CO.