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Commissioners debate paying first six months of Medic 1 rate increase, request more documents
Summary
Benton Harbor commissioners questioned a plan to use income-tax funds to cover the first six months of a proposed Medic 1 rate increase, demanded financial documentation from the ambulance provider and tabled the matter for further review.
Chair opened debate over a resolution that would use city income-tax dollars to pay the first six months of a proposed rate increase for Medic 1, the regional ambulance provider. Commissioners and staff clashed over whether the city had the documentation it needed to approve the payment and whether the increase had been negotiated with municipal representatives.
Why it matters: The proposal would shift up-front costs into the city budget at a time when revenue is down and staff say cash is tight; commissioners said approving the expense without audit or full documentation could set a precedent that would be difficult to reverse.
City manager (City manager) told the committee the additional annual cost for the city would be about $156,000 and described prior outreach to Medic 1 and township partners. He said, "Until June 30, we continue paying what we have been paying," framing the timing pressure ahead of the July 1 change in the provider’s formula.
Several commissioners said they had not received promised spreadsheets and other backup. Commissioner Adams said the issue of a forensic audit and transparency has long concerned the commission and urged prompt action: "I think that it's something that should be moving right now, yesterday, 10 years ago, 15 years ago." Commissioner Henderson accused the provider of withholding information and used blunt language to emphasize distrust: "They lying." A public commenter urged the commission to table the payment until Medic 1 officials appear in person.
Clerk and staff noted Medic 1 had changed its funding formula via a special meeting and that the city’s representative had previously raised objections. Commissioners pressed staff to obtain the provider’s spreadsheets, billing detail for rides (Medicare/Medicaid and unpaid billed amounts) and the county/township revenue share so the committee could assess per-ride costs and fairness across jurisdictions.
Outcome and next steps: The commission agreed to circulate the Medic 1 meeting packet to all commissioners, to request additional documentation from Medic 1 and to table any payment decision. The committee asked staff to invite Medic 1 representatives back for a follow-up at committee and to provide a written cost breakdown and any supporting FOIA materials already received.
