Wylie council adopts small ambulance fee adjustment, citing new state limit on annual increases

The Wylie City Council voted 5-0 on March 10 to adopt an amendment to the city’s fee schedule that adjusts ambulance service charges in light of a recently cited state law. Chief Blythe told the council the measure responds to the state’s restriction on how much ambulance billings may increase annually.

"On January 30 this past year, Senate Bill 916 was adopted," Chief Blythe said in presenting the ordinance, explaining that the law requires annual EMS rate adjustments to be calculated either by a Medicare-based inflation factor or up to 10% of the prior year’s rate and that multi-year catch-up increases are not permitted. He said the city’s filing is due on March 23; if the city does not submit an updated rate, the most recently published rate will remain in place.

Chief Blythe described recent budget pressures for the EMS division — including higher vehicle maintenance and increased contractual fees — and said staff was proposing a slight increase this year. He told council that about 69% of calls are advanced life support and that staff has reviewed recent collection averages. The transcript contains an inconsistent dollar figure when Staff described collections; the chief’s discussion made clear the proposed change is small and intended to keep the EMS budget sustainable while avoiding large increases for residents.

Mayor Matthew Porter said transparency is important and supported bringing a rate review back to council annually while the state law is in effect. Council members agreed on the value of annual review and approved the ordinance as presented, 5-0. Staff said they will return each year with rate adjustments if the state law remains in force.