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Public Safety Committee advances ambulance billing changes, extends jail contract and delays use-of-force review vote
Summary
The council—s Public Safety Committee advanced an ordinance to align Akron—s ambulance fees with regional municipalities, approved an extension of the intergovernmental jail boarding agreement for six months (half-year payment of $2.4 million), and heard a request to delay consideration of a proposed use-of-force review contract.
The Public Safety Committee on Tuesday advanced changes to Akron—s emergency medical services billing and approved a temporary extension of the county jail boarding agreement while negotiators continue work on a longer-term contract.
Chief Henderson presented an ordinance amending Title 11, Business Regulations, Chapter 111 (Ambulances and Emergency Medical Services), Section 111.008 (charges for emergency medical services and other public safety services). Henderson said the proposal would align Akron—s pricing with other regional municipalities and continue the city—s practice of using a third-party soft-billing vendor, Life Force, which bills Medicaid, Medicare or private insurers; city residents would not receive ambulance bills for services provided within Akron, Henderson said. Committee members asked for comparisons to regional rates; the measure was advanced on a suspension of the rules with a favorable report.
The committee also approved an extension of the intergovernmental agreement with Summit County to continue boarding Akron prisoners in the county jail while parties negotiate a replacement agreement. Administration staff described the ordinance as an extension through the end of June that represents half of Akron—s traditional annual payment; the committee placed the item on the consent agenda (consent motion recorded and approved). The staff presentation said the $2,400,000 figure represents the first half of the year and is not an increase over past payments.
Separately, outside counsel and advocates had requested that the council consider a contract with the Paul Weiss firm to conduct a use-of-force review. Assistant/representative Angelo(n)i told the committee that conversations with the administration were ongoing and asked for additional time; the committee granted the request for continued time rather than taking immediate action on the contract.
Committee members said they would receive the ambulance-pricing comparisons and that the jail-extension ordinance would be processed on the consent agenda for formal council action later.
