Fraser — The Fraser City Council approved the 2025–26 fee schedule Monday, adding Meadows Park pavilion to the list of rentable facilities at the same rate as Pompo Park after a public request. During the fee schedule discussion, council engaged in an extended conversation about ambulance billing, fund balance and resident costs.

Finance Director Angelie reviewed the fee schedule and final budget amendments. Council asked whether annual special assessment receipts and the closing of a 2015 street bond fund (moving roughly $390,000 to the general fund) could be earmarked for streets; the finance director said she would check auditor guidance on moving those funds back to a street or local streets fund in future amendments.

Council then discussed ambulance billing, where Captain Gillis and Director Gilles explained Fraser’s EMS billing process. The ALS millage, originally approved by voters in 1994 as "up to 1 mill" to defray advanced life support emergency costs, remains in place and is set annually in the city’s millage schedule during budget setting. Director Gilles and Captain Gillis said the billing company AccuMed prepares invoices, performs coding, submits claims to insurers and pursues collections; contractual insurer allowances often reduce the amount the city bills, and the city collects roughly half of gross billings net of write‑offs in recent experience.

Council members raised equity concerns for residents with high deductibles or no coverage; staff said some portions of billed revenue are written off, others sent to collections, and the ambulance fund has been used to purchase equipment and staff enhancements. Councilors asked staff to examine options such as fee adjustments, cost‑recovery policies for uninsured patients and whether millage levels should be reviewed during budgeting. No immediate change to ambulance rates was made; staff said they would return with additional analysis next year.

Why it matters: Residents sometimes receive ambulance bills even though they also pay a millage for EMS. Council discussion highlighted the tradeoff between keeping a strong fund balance for capital purchases and reducing out‑of‑pocket costs for residents who use EMS.

What’s next: Staff will review ambulance revenue, collection practices and millage options and report back to council in future budget work sessions.