Zion council approves ambulance-billing contract, declares vehicles surplus and OKs easement; personnel changes partly tabled

The Zion City Council on Sept. 2 approved a contract for ambulance billing services, declared several emergency vehicles surplus, and authorized acquisition of an easement for a water‑main project, while approving some personnel changes and tabling other staffing items to the next meeting.

The council voted unanimously to authorize a contract with Paramedic Billing Services, Inc., an Illinois-based company, for ambulance and fire billing services effective Jan. 1, 2026. Chief Justin Street, who presented the agreement, said the contract "includes a lower commission rate than we are currently paying and should mean increased revenue for the city." Street also provided the council with current charge amounts used to set billing: $2,317 for a standard ambulance call, $2,545 for a basic advanced call and $2,745 for an advanced (level‑2) call, while noting that actual collections are often reduced by Medicare, Medicaid and uninsured‑patient writeoffs.

The council also declared a 2012 Ford F550 ambulance (VIN ending in 192) surplus and authorized it for auction, and approved disposition of two high‑mileage police vehicles and donation of a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado described by the police chief as no longer viable to maintain. Police Chief Eric Barton said the vehicles were replaced through normal squad rotation and recommended sale through the city’s state‑approved auction vendor.

On infrastructure, the council authorized acceptance and acquisition of an easement the city needs for a water‑main installation that city staff said will help create a loop in the municipal water system. Director Ransom told the council, "Our intent is to get that going before winter. That's our goal," and said staff were coordinating with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to close outstanding items required to work on the property.

Councilors voted to amend personnel organization within the Department of Public Works, including removal of a superintendent position and creation of a deputy city administrator and a director of economic development position with the amendment made retroactive to Aug. 25, 2025. The presenter asked to table two proposed supervisor positions for the street and water departments until the next meeting; councilors concurred and those elements were set aside for later consideration.

Other routine measures carried on unanimous votes, including approval of the council consent agenda, bill payments and a stipend adjustment for the deputy city administrator. The meeting concluded with department reports on ongoing projects — including a storm sewer installation and upcoming hydrant flushing — and announcements about community events and National Fire Prevention Week.

Votes at a glance - Approve disposal of surplus property (fire rescue ambulance): Motion by McDowell; second Stackhouse. Outcome: approved (5–0). - Contract award: Paramedic Billing Services, Inc., ambulance/fire billing: Motion by McDowell; second Stackhouse. Outcome: approved (5–0). - Approve disposal/donation of surplus police vehicles: Motion by McDowell; second Frierson. Outcome: approved (5–0). - Accept/acquire easement for water‑main (City of Zion): Motion by Fisher; second Stackhouse. Outcome: approved (5–0). - Amend personnel organization (Public Works/economic development): Motion by McDowell; second Stackhouse. Amendment approved and made retroactive to Aug. 25, 2025; proposed street and water supervisor positions were tabled to the next meeting. Outcome: amendment approved (5–0); supervisors tabled. - Table item 7f to next council meeting: Motion carried (5–0). - Approve stipend adjustment for deputy city administrator: Motion by Fisher; second Stackhouse. Outcome: approved (5–0).

What the council said and why it matters The billing contract is intended to increase recovery of ambulance revenue without raising local fees; Chief Street emphasized the city’s current difficulty capturing billed amounts because of payer rules and writeoffs. The easement vote advances a water‑main project that staff say will improve system redundancy. The personnel changes reorganize several positions in public works and economic development; the council explicitly delayed final action on two supervisor positions so staff can return with details.

Background and next steps City staff said the ambulance billing contract would take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and that the surplus ambulance will be auctioned when the new unit arrives. Staff expect to pair the water‑main installation with a stormwater line run and to complete key construction tasks before winter, pending final coordination with DNR. The tabled supervisor positions will return to the council at the next meeting for further consideration.

Reporting notes Where possible the article uses speakers’ own words. Dollar and charge amounts for ambulance services were provided to the council by Chief Justin Street during the Sept. 2 meeting. Several agenda items (consent agenda items, bills/vouchers and routine roll calls) passed unanimously with recorded “motion carries 5 to zip” statements in the meeting record.