Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montebello council adopts updated master fee schedule; directs study of EMS alternatives
Summary
The council approved an updated city master fee schedule to recover more cost from user fees over a phased three‑year implementation, and added a direction for staff to report back on alternative emergency medical service (EMS) billing models, including subscription/membership programs used by other cities.
The Montebello City Council adopted an updated master fee schedule after a public hearing Aug. 27 that council members and staff said is intended to bring many user fees closer to full cost recovery. Finance Director Michael Salorza told the council the comprehensive fee study — prepared with consultant Willdan — reviewed fees across departments, calculated fully burdened costs and proposed phased increases to limit resident “sticker shock.”
"State law requires that ... the fees must reasonably relate to the services provided," Salorza said during the presentation, explaining the legal framework for setting user fees. The study updates last performed in 2018, he said, and found some fees recovering only a small fraction of their actual cost; the phased implementation would increase many fees over 60 days and again in July 2026 and July 2027, moving the city toward a 60–80% cost‑recovery range for covered services.
Public commenters urged careful, incremental increases and requested waivers or hardship processes for low‑income residents. Councilmember Peralta pressed for protections for households hit by ambulance/EMS assessment fees and offered an informational amendment directing staff to study alternative models used by other Los Angeles County cities — including lower flat fees and voluntary subscription/membership programs that waive EMS assessments for participating households.
City management confirmed the existing ambulance fee will remain unchanged for now but said hardship waivers exist and staff will return with an informational report comparing models used in other cities, such as Pasadena, Burbank and Glendale. The council adopted the fee schedule and approved the staff direction by unanimous roll call.
Councilmembers emphasized transparency and that the city will publish a detailed schedule of fees and the phased increases on the city website so residents and businesses can prepare in advance.
