Bonner County approves ambulance fee increase, adds nonresident surcharges and new service charges

Bonner County commissioners voted to approve a new fee schedule for ambulance services that raises resident fees by about 15%, creates a separate nonresident surcharge and adds new charges such as an ALS‑2 line and an hourly standby rate, the county said at a public hearing. The board approved the action as “Resolution 25‑2” (number to be formally assigned) after a public hearing and deliberation; the motion passed with one abstention.

Chief Lindsay, chief of Bonner County EMS, told the board the fee change is intended to stop erosion of the district—s reserves and to reflect higher post‑2020 costs. “Since 2020, our call volume is up,” Lindsay said, and he noted that billing revenue accounts for roughly 40% of the ambulance district—s budget.

The hearing drew questions from commissioners and members of the public about how much costs and call volume have increased, who ultimately pays new charges and whether the proposed increases will produce the expected revenue. “I think 15% is probably a little bit on the low side,” Commissioner Corn said during deliberations, urging a larger increase; other commissioners said they preferred an incremental approach and more data before approving a still‑larger hike.

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