Council to consider ambulance service, utility rate hikes

McCOOK Neb. — The McCook City Council will have costly increases to consider at the upcoming council meeting on Monday, March 18, 2024. 

The consent agenda includes Resolution No. 2024-03, which proposes amending the rates for the ambulance service operated by the City of McCook, Nebraska.

The proposed rates are based on comparing the current government reimbursement rates to the current customary charge.

To keep the reimbursement rates at their maximum level. The changes include increases in base rates for both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) services and adjustments to mileage charges and additional service fees. Notable changes include:

• BLS Non-Emergency Base: Increase from $525.00 to $700.00

• BLS Emergency Base: Increase from $750.00 to $850.00

• ALS Non-Emergency Base: Increase from $750.00 to $900.00

• ALS Emergency Level 1: Increase from $1000.00 to $1200.00

• ALS Emergency Level 2: Increase from $1250.00 to $1450.00

• Mileage: Increase from $18.00 per mile to $20.00 per mile

• Advanced Life Support Fee: Increase from $200.00 to $350.00

• ALS Paramedic Intercept: Increased from $100.00 to $200.00

The City Council will consider approval of Ordinance No. 2024-3076 and of Ordinance No. 2024-3077 upon the first of three readings for each. Based on the data from the 2023 Water Enterprise Fund Cashflow Model prepared by Public Financial Management (PFM), City staff is recommending that the current water rate be increased by 8.5 % and sewer rate increase of 7.5%. The rate increase provides funds to cover inflation, staff wages, and equipment and prepare for future capital improvements. 

The Council is expected to award the water west well field farm ground lease to Meyers Brothers at $120.22 per acre and authorize the Mayor to sign the lease agreement.

Upon a majority vote, the Council will go into an executive session to protect the public interest. This will be a strategy session concerning the real estate purchase for the Sports Complex. The executive session will include City Manager Schneider, City Attorney Mustion, Assistant City Manager Koetter, City Clerk Doak, Public Works Director Potthoff, MEDC Executive Director Charlie McPherson, and MEDC Director of Housing Amanda Engell.