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Council reviews fee increases and new charges for lift assists, card processing and utilities
Summary
Council discussed a fee resolution that would add or adjust fees including a proposed $250 lift‑assist charge for assisted‑living calls, higher merchant processing costs, a reduced nonprofit discount at the Mod Cobb complex and a small water‑rate increase; staff recommended ACH/eCheck as a lower‑cost payment option.
City of Longview councilmembers and staff reviewed a fee resolution that would change several user charges and payment‑processing arrangements, including a proposed charge for non‑medical lift assists at assisted‑living centers and adjustments to merchant‑processing practices for utility payments.
Councilmember Allen raised the prospect of charging assisted‑living facilities for non‑medical lift assists and said the proposal would assess a $250 fee after notifying those facilities; fire staff said crews currently provide some non‑emergency lift assists and recommended a notification process to explain the change. Allen said he “had no idea we were doing that for free” and supported charging for non‑medical calls.
The council also discussed credit‑card processing fees and options to reduce city costs by encouraging ACH/eCheck bank drafts. Staff said some processors (Tyler Technologies for water) charge about 3.6% or $2.50 depending on bill size. Council members noted that moving customers to ACH could reduce the projected $485,000 in credit‑card processing costs forecast for 2026.
Utility staff presented an example showing a small water‑rate increase for a typical 5/8‑inch meter customer: a sample bill rising from $51.08 to about $51.85 under the proposed fees. Council also debated reducing the Mod Cobb nonprofit discount from 30% to a proposed 15%; one councilmember suggested a 20% discount as a compromise.
Council members asked staff to notify assisted‑living centers and other affected parties if fees are adopted and to consider a brief grace period or notice program. The council agreed to continue fee discussions as part of ongoing budget work and placed the proposed fee resolution on the agenda prior to the Aug. 21 hearing for the overall budget and rates.
No final ordinance adopting the fees was passed the same night; staff were asked to return with implementation details and notification plans.
