Committee endorses referring new $550 ambulance charge for health-care facilities to council

The Bangor City Government Operations Committee on June 16 moved to refer an order updating the city’s emergency medical services (EMS) transport fee schedule to the full City Council for second reading and action.

Fire Chief Jeff Lowe told the committee he reviewed calls to health-care and assisted‑living facilities and found “275” runs to those facilities last year and “already up to 225 calls” so far this year when tracking began. Lowe said those calls impose a “fairly… taxing load on the system” and estimated the responses consume roughly “about… 112 hours” of crew time. He proposed applying the department’s base ambulance transport fee — “$550” — to calls originating at facilities so the city can recoup some operating costs.

The committee discussed enforcement and collection options. One member asked what would happen “if they don’t pay,” noting the city cannot automatically place a lien on a facility. Lowe said any collection or enforcement mechanism would likely require an ordinance change and that he would consult the city manager and legal counsel about next steps. The committee also asked whether billing facilities would deter required calls; Lowe said he did not believe private facilities would stop calling because failing to respond or improperly assessing care could increase their liability.

Committee members moved and seconded the referral; with no objections, the order will appear on the next full City Council agenda for final consideration. The item was presented as an order adopting an updated schedule of fees and would require council action and, if needed, subsequent ordinance changes to create collection mechanisms.