[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6050336,"mediaKeyId","3491701-12212bb378a645eedea4c3e9f1b60727","parentId",3491701,"title","Council hears staff proposal to add $3.50 recovery fee for many city credit‑card transactions","audioSeconds",352,"startMs",2424000,"endMs",2776000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3491701-12212bb378a645eedea4c3e9f1b60727&start=2424&end=2776","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3491701-12212bb378a645eedea4c3e9f1b60727/thumbnail_2424000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6050336/North-Richland-Hills-City/Tarrant-County/Texas/Council-hears-staff-proposal-to-add-350-recovery-fee-for-many-city-creditcard-transactions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6050336-e9af57b1cf5c8ac3d11b4f8ab6e824aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225689&Signature=ACJ5d6MYzWFYYJ3oK-rIBIsKpHj~5CzTVsJTJ~iOghuGahK8MgKklHMuYqEzAkYfVTN5pW5S7FRvJf8iiwCuxtLLBWiWNVX0MHBxPKR~y~R5IwvnckHhjkIMZHTSERtofmbiETF1Lo3p3AEYNjz6ZXj-zvygRDHwrrbUHmy10tBAjTp76X0swS16mqTh1W9nH~7xOMELkXJ8Xab7mZWhQ9u3KpiW35OSjgBPxpc49ekn-MUFRyb~XWBSwpZq035Sqpd1LElguNp1Z9SUGCXL6SfBnoTI~Jz1BUypBHtHQ2zd31xGnRnnlHjP6LCPhCt7BcbGWcrxjElZac0RH5eYfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Richland Hills City","date","2025-01-27T00:00:00Z","article","City finance staff asked the council on Jan. 27 to adopt a standardized, transaction recovery approach to credit‑card processing costs.

Jay (finance) explained the city uses multiple payment gateways across city services (Tyler Technologies gateway for City Hall functions, another system at the waterpark and a variety of point‑of‑sale processors for parks facilities). Staff said the Tyler‑processed transactions have an average ticket of about $197 and a merchant fee equivalent to roughly 1.8%; that produces an average per‑transaction cost of approximately $3.56. The recommendation is a $3.50 flat fee for Tyler gateway transactions to recover processing costs, and full cost recovery at certain parks and aquatic operations (NRH2O already collects and remits a comparable fee).

Staff said the recommendation is to make the fee explicitly cost‑recovery (not a revenue source) and to offer ACH or debit options so residents can avoid the fee. Councilmembers asked about legal limits (a statutory cap to 5% of the transaction); staff confirmed the proposed level is under that cap.

For parks and small‑ticket retail (concessions, candy, etc.), staff proposed a different approach because a flat $3.50 fee is not practical for low‑price items. Council asked staff to refine implementation plans and draft ordinance language; no ordinance or fee was adopted on Jan. 27.

Ending: Staff will prepare ordinance language and implementation details showing which gateways and payment types will be assessed, alternatives for residents to avoid fees (ACH) and how the program will be administered; council did not vote on the fee at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","North Richland Hills City Council 1/27/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff proposed a $3.50 flat fee for payments processed through the city’s Tyler gateway to recover processing costs, with other strategies for parks and small‑ticket retail to avoid disproportionate charges; council asked operational questions and staff will draft ordinance language.","taxTitle","North Richland Hills City, Tarrant County, Texas","taxId",7747,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6050341,"North Richland Hills staff proposes bundled ambulance rates near market levels; council asks for data on insurance impacts",522,1624000,2146000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3491701-12212bb378a645eedea4c3e9f1b60727&start=1624&end=2146","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3491701-12212bb378a645eedea4c3e9f1b60727/thumbnail_1624000.jpg","/articles/6050341/North-Richland-Hills-City/Tarrant-County/Texas/North-Richland-Hills-staff-proposes-bundled-ambulance-rates-near-market-levels-council-asks-for-data-on-insurance-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6050341-8f18fc30d33f651cc17c4c601e3e408f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225689&Signature=Gbn3I33ZYLglFkaTb5OkWsF4576VkfTT0a4D~7vVpqymAypAlvLIpbYtT1-o67td17ndh~fBY~Sf7nZfrfW854SOFs4NkRoQHGzvTjYV3FNu4C-JY5bjFAdXJeVhL6mCcq-X5~YrnGiqLdDakkYFjUHCsGAlvMV-vJ-1VZ06GhJKUY2P6OxgPrQz5sJ2~OI6zfLsFcjO07L6M-cJR9IuzqJxZ5LoVXdxO4fq-Ahmbz8WdSQdm0r2z77K1IVuMGPC-3u8heFk75BruKAF6qSot-5NM6MtM364JQ8K4eNwEEc7V1REQs1glhPJnYCMmf8rPk3d8xa3V8LdiWY1g0PEjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented analysis and a proposed restructure of ambulance service charges at the Jan. 27 work session, saying current itemized fees are far below regional bundled rates and produce lower reimbursement from insurers and Medicare/Medicaid.

Jay (presenter, Finance/EMS liaison) summarized that the city’s current billing is highly itemized — supplies, mileage and a 20% markup — and shows markedly lower published rates than neighboring jurisdictions. Staff reported ALS‑1 was listed at $719 for residents ($935 for nonresidents) while nearby cities show bundled ALS charges commonly between $1,600 and $1,800.

The staff recommendation: switch to a bundled fee structure and set nonresident rates near the 70th percentile of the regional market. Proposed example figures given by staff included ALS‑1 at $1,750 for nonresidents and a resident discount of at least 15% (bringing ALS‑1 for residents to about $1,500). Staff also proposed converting other itemized elements (mileage, oxygen) to market‑aligned amounts and continuing use of a third‑party billing provider.

Council asked practical questions about impacts to Medicare/Medicaid, cross‑jurisdiction responses and collection practices. Staff said Medicare and Medicaid rates are fixed and would not change, so most of the change affects private‑insurance and self‑pay balances. The city’s third‑party billing consultant explained bundled fee structures typically recover a higher percentage from insurers than highly itemized bills. Staff said the city does not typically send balance bills for resident patients to collections, a service residents currently receive.

Councilmembers asked for cost data and historical review. Staff said the last rate review was a “couple of years” ago and that rising medical supply and personnel costs contributed to the need for higher fees. Council asked for the city’s trip‑level cost data and additional modeling showing expected net revenue under the proposed bundle, and for clarification about whether changes would harm residents. Staff said they would prepare a revised ordinance and bring it back on a future agenda for approval; no ordinance was adopted on Jan. 27.

Ending: Staff will return with a draft ordinance and additional financial analysis — including per‑trip cost breakdowns and projected reimbursement levels — before council votes on a rate change.","City staff recommended moving from itemized low rates to bundled ALS/BLS fees to reflect costs and improve insurance reimbursements; proposed resident discounts and nonresident pricing were discussed but no vote taken.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6050344,"North Richland Hills council debates easing rules for carports after lengthy work‑session discussion",1924,2912000,4836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3491701-12212bb378a645eedea4c3e9f1b60727&start=2912&end=4836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3491701-12212bb378a645eedea4c3e9f1b60727/thumbnail_2912000.jpg","/articles/6050344/North-Richland-Hills-City/Tarrant-County/Texas/North-Richland-Hills-council-debates-easing-rules-for-carports-after-lengthy-worksession-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6050344-fe0528dbe89178ea9f3a7181a50afdef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225689&Signature=ZNv-fUIl9HgXciBLErzk0WbCpUepPkTeXXRWBoCkVh9Ma0n7YxQGRb7sCmBYHmCDCAwKtYPK-bJ0glvnOr5VL2kziprIArNv6O-VxonnWcXaOpJTzcX0sqPbOTBVp38qLJv3JtBQi6zupd3NQ3esfOsZRonuWC~qzSFe4OUGWttlY~wyNElecANuqt8HjRdGwDvCl8Q~TWv6CjoCM47B6~E1fDWILrUaGEqlqOTx~Mp0iT2PT49dvN-Np4WdwqXwNZkhdUnM4y38ukmBksml-apoMnRlY7KUyyroYQl0R6CjcGsbTWtiwxrI-4k8V5FmySKy-SMXC5a7mCvyQFahBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Jan. 27 City Council work session, North Richland Hills planning staff reviewed existing rules for residential carports and opened a broad council discussion about whether the city should make it easier for homeowners to construct them.

Planning managing director Clayton Comstock told the council that \"carports are permitted by right\" in the city but ‘‘shall not extend beyond the front building line,’’ and that many front‑yard examples in town are either grandfathered, nonconforming, or were built without permits. He walked the council through front‑building‑line setbacks, side/rear setback rules and building‑code requirements that make engineered, pitched‑roof carports different from temporary metal kits sold at retail.

The discussion stretched more than an hour. Comstock noted the city’s ordinance limits single‑family properties to one carport and caps carport area at 360 square feet, while other North Texas cities take differing approaches: some prohibit front‑yard carports, some allow them behind a larger sidewalk setback, and Colleyville requires a special‑use permit.

Supporters on the council and in the audience argued loosening the rules would increase affordability and provide covered parking for more households. Councilmember Blake Vaughn and several other members urged a measured relaxation — for example, allowing carports where the house has no garage or when the primary structure is set far back from the street. They also asked staff to identify how many recent applications were denied and why.

Opponents raised concerns about neighborhood character, safety and pedestrian visibility. Multiple council members cited sidewalks and child safety; several said if carports are allowed too close to the sidewalk they present a hazard for people walking. Staff recommended a 10‑foot (and in one city example a 5‑foot) sidewalk setback as a relevant safety measure.

Staff described building‑code and permitting limits that often require engineered design (wind and gravity loads, minimum roof pitch, fire‑rating near property lines) and noted a correlation reported by a private home‑inspection firm: many inspected homes with carports had garage conversions, and a high share of those conversions were unpermitted. Comstock said those compliance issues are separate from zoning questions about location and appearance.

Council directed staff to return with more data and options: (1) a survey (staff suggested a citywide “flash vote” with questions the council can review), (2) a count of carport permit applications and determinations since August 2021, including approvals, denials and zoning‑board variances, and (3) draft ordinance options that address safety setbacks, permitted locations, construction/appearance standards (consistent with state law limits on materials rules), and homeowner notice. Council agreed the survey should ask respondents where they live so results can be analyzed by area.

Comstock and planning staff said they will compile permit records, examples and proposed code language and return to a future work session. The council did not take a vote on changing the ordinance at the Jan. 27 meeting.

Ending: Staff will bring back specific ordinance options, the permit history requested by council and example language for a public survey; councilmembers said they expect both neighborhood‑level data and draft code text before deciding whether to amend the rules.","City planning staff reviewed current rules that generally bar carports ahead of the front building line; council members split over loosening standards, and staff was asked to gather permit counts and draft options including a public survey.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears staff proposal to add $3.50 recovery fee for many city credit‑card transactions

North Richland Hills staff proposes bundled ambulance rates near market levels; council asks for data on insurance impacts

North Richland Hills council debates easing rules for carports after lengthy work‑session discussion