Title
Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Resolution Amending Master Fee Resolution No. 12191 to Revise Alameda Fire Department Transport Fees. (Fire 3200)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: David L. Rudat, Interim City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fire Department provides advanced life support ambulance transport services. Alameda County establishes user fees that providers can charge patients for these services. The County updated the transport fees schedule effective September 1, 2018 (Exhibit 1). Alameda Fire Department recommends adoption of the new fee schedule to reflect the revised County fee schedule, to be effective on January 3, 2019.
BACKGROUND
The Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulance and Paramedic Provider Agreement between the City of Alameda and Alameda County was approved by City Council on October 18, 2011, extended three times, and currently expires on June 30, 2023. The agreement ensures that the Fire Department provides first responder ALS and ambulance transport services within the City’s exclusive operating area (EOA).
DISCUSSION
The Advanced Life Support Ambulance and Paramedic Provider Agreement between the City of Alameda and Alameda County stipulates that the County establishes user fees the City can charge patients for emergency medical services. The agreement states that "the rates shall be frozen until the County's contract “Private Provider” rates exceed the rates described in the agreement”. On October 15, 2013, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors approved an increase in their Private Provider (Paramedics Plus) rates effective November 1, 2013. As a result, the City Council voted to increase fees on December 17, 2013. The County approved a scheduled increase for their Private Provider effective November 1, 2016; however, the City did not implement the increase at that time. On June 1, 2017, the County approved another fee increase, the City adopted the fee increase on November 7, 2017. The County approved an additional fee increase, listed in the chart below, effective September 1, 2018. At this time, to be consistent with the County, staff recommends adopting the increased fees with an effective date of January 3, 2019. This will be the 7th amendment to the Agreement with the County.
The fees approved by the County and proposed for adoption are as follows:
|
|
Former Rate (effective 11/01/13) |
Former Rate (effective 11/01/16, not previously adopted) |
Current Rate (effective 06/01/17) |
Revised Rate (effective 09/01/18) |
|
Base Rate |
$1,895.00 |
$2,054.50 |
$2,099.50 |
$2,181.38 |
|
Mileage (per mile) |
$45.00 |
$48.81 |
$48.81 |
$50.71 |
|
Oxygen |
$149.00 |
$161.61 |
$161.61 |
$167.91 |
|
Treat, Non-Transport Rate |
$400.00 |
$433.44 |
$433.44 |
$450.77 |
Compliance with Proposition 26
Proposition 26 was adopted by the voters in November 2010 and amended the State Constitution to provide a definition of "tax" for local government purposes. Tax is defined as any levy, charge or exaction of any kind that does not fall within certain enumerated exceptions. As to local governments, any fees and charges subject to Proposition 26 that are newly imposed or increased on or after November 3, 2010 require voter approval.
As with the 2013 fee increase, staff has reviewed the proposed changes to the fee schedule and concludes the fees fall within the exception to Proposition 26 for fees and charges imposed for a specific government service or product provided directly to the payor, that is not provided to those not charged and which does not exceed the reasonable costs of the local government of providing such service or product. Staff also determined that the fees above are reasonably related to the cost for providing the service and the amounts of the fees are no more than necessary to cover the cost of the governmental activity.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The revenue from emergency operations ambulance billing is accounted for in the General Fund within the Fire Department program revenues. If the recommended increase in listed fees is not approved by the City Council, the Department will be unable to recoup costs associated with providing the emergency ambulance services and the General Fund will have to cover those costs.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
There is no Municipal Code/policy document cross-reference.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Section 15378 because it consists of government fiscal activities which do not involve any commitment to a specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
RECOMMENDATION
Hold a public hearing to consider adoption of a resolution amending Master Fee Resolution No. 12191 to revise Fire Department fees.
Respectfully submitted,
Edmond A. Rodriguez, Fire Chief
By,
Ricci Zombeck, Deputy Fire Chief
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Transport Fees schedule