Council adopts fire‑station bond authorization and approves EMS billing ordinance

North Canton — The City Council on July 14 adopted the third reading of an ordinance authorizing issuance and sale of bonds in a maximum principal amount of $16 million to pay costs associated with constructing, furnishing and equipping a new fire station. The council also adopted an ordinance authorizing the billing of insurers for EMS and certain fire‑related services.

Fire station bonds: The ordinance specifies a bond authorization of up to $16,000,000 for a new fire station and related site improvements, and the measure was read as an emergency. City staff said the funds would pay for construction, furnishings and related site work. Council adopted the ordinance on third reading.

EMS and fire services billing: A separate ordinance adopted on third reading authorizes the city to soft‑bill residents’ insurers and property owners for EMS and certain fire response services, including ambulance transports and scene safety; the ordinance excludes fire prevention services. Staff described the change as billing insurers for services provided in emergency response situations.

Why it matters: The bond authorization enables the city to finance a major capital project for fire operations. The EMS billing ordinance establishes the city’s authority to pursue third‑party reimbursements for emergency services, a revenue practice used by many jurisdictions to offset response costs.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with bond issuance planning and implementation steps if council’s emergency declaration becomes final and will coordinate billing implementation procedures with the city’s finance and fire departments.