Fire chief signals roughly $300,000 in retroactive ambulance revenue; police report checkpoint and ongoing Walmart threat response

During departmental reports the Selma Fire Department and Police Department delivered updates with direct budget and public‑safety consequences.

Fire Chief Webster described a multi-year billing issue tied to the state’s implementation of Assembly Bill 1705 (the ambulance reimbursement add-on process). He told council staff identified a payer mix that had not been included in a required rate add‑on and that, after working with the Department of Health Care Services and the city’s third‑party biller, the department expects to recoup roughly $300,000 from a backlog of underpaid bills. Chief Webster cautioned the revenue will not appear as a lump sum but will be recovered over the remainder of this fiscal year and into the next as accounts are reprocessed. He described the program (PPGMT, as referenced) and said the add-on increased from about $1,164 last year to just over $1,500 for 2026.

Police Chief Alcaraz briefly outlined public-safety work: a planned DUI checkpoint on Dec. 20 and an ongoing response and coordination with local, state and federal partners regarding a bomb threat at the Floral‑Avenue Walmart. He said the department is working closely with Walmart and partner agencies to protect the business and the public so the store can reopen safely.

Council thanked staff for identifying the billing discrepancy and for continuing public safety coordination. Staff said Finance will report recovered revenue and that operational details and timing will appear in upcoming budget reports.