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City staff say Ambulance Utility fee could be raised to offset costs; mayor includes increase in preliminary budget
Summary
Finance Director Laura Scholl presented an analysis indicating the city could charge up to $21 per monthly billing unit for the Ambulance Utility; the mayor included an increase of $6 (to $12) per billing unit in the 2025 proposed budget, estimating roughly $525,000 in additional revenue.
The Lynden council reviewed analysis by Finance Director Laura Scholl of the Ambulance Utility fee and budget implications for 2025.
The minutes state: "This analysis determined that the City could charge up to $21 per monthly unit. The Mayor has incorporated an increase of $6 to $12.00 per billing unit into the 2025 Proposed Budget. It is estimated that this increase will provide an additional $525,000 in revenues that will assist in offsetting the costs of having this utility. Should this resolution be approved, customers will be notified on their next billing cycle, and this rate would increase as of January 1,2025." The current adopted monthly rate (from 2014) had been $6.00 per billing unit; the underlying cost-of-service study cited an annual maximum of $143.93 (or $11.99 per month) in 2014.
The item was pulled from consent for separate consideration that night; council action on a rate change was not recorded as finalized in these minutes. Any rate change requires follow-up procedures, customer notice and placement in the 2025 budget adoption process.
