Council approves EMS agreement amendment with Aberdeen, shifting city share to 80% of utility charge
August 30, 2024 | Cosmopolis, Grays Harbor County, Washington
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The Cosmopolis City Council on Aug. 21 approved an amendment to the city's emergency medical services (EMS) agreement with the city of Aberdeen that changes the city's payment obligation from 100% to 80% of Aberdeen's utility-based EMS charge per account.
Chief Allen explained the amendment and its fiscal effect: Aberdeen notified Cosmopolis of an increase in its EMS utility charge (previously about $27.96 per account in the example discussed), which would have raised the city's pass-through cost. Under the negotiated amendment, Cosmopolis will pay the equivalency of 80% of whatever rate Aberdeen charges its residents, applied to the city's 753 utility accounts. "So we'll be paying the equivalency of 80% of what they're charging their residents as opposed to that 100%," Chief Allen said. He said the change is estimated to reduce the city's monthly payment by about $1,800.
Chief Allen said the amendment takes effect Aug. 1 and that the full agreement will be renegotiated before it expires at year-end. He also said the council will work with legal and finance on how to collect and use the funds locally: under the amendment the city would retain a portion to build an EMS fund rather than sending the full amount to Aberdeen. "We're going to work with legal and finance...on how we can legally collect and utilize that $1,800 a month to hopefully relieve some of the EMS expenditures that are against the general budget today," Chief Allen said.
Councilmembers supported the amendment but noted outstanding administrative questions about creating and managing a local EMS fund and about resident notification. One attendee noted there remain questions that finance and the city attorney must answer before any longer-term renewal. A motion to approve the amendment was moved and seconded and the council voted in favor.
The council did not record a detailed roll-call vote in the transcript; the meeting record indicates the body approved the amendment and directed staff to return with legal/financial guidance and any required resolutions or notices.
Chief Allen explained the amendment and its fiscal effect: Aberdeen notified Cosmopolis of an increase in its EMS utility charge (previously about $27.96 per account in the example discussed), which would have raised the city's pass-through cost. Under the negotiated amendment, Cosmopolis will pay the equivalency of 80% of whatever rate Aberdeen charges its residents, applied to the city's 753 utility accounts. "So we'll be paying the equivalency of 80% of what they're charging their residents as opposed to that 100%," Chief Allen said. He said the change is estimated to reduce the city's monthly payment by about $1,800.
Chief Allen said the amendment takes effect Aug. 1 and that the full agreement will be renegotiated before it expires at year-end. He also said the council will work with legal and finance on how to collect and use the funds locally: under the amendment the city would retain a portion to build an EMS fund rather than sending the full amount to Aberdeen. "We're going to work with legal and finance...on how we can legally collect and utilize that $1,800 a month to hopefully relieve some of the EMS expenditures that are against the general budget today," Chief Allen said.
Councilmembers supported the amendment but noted outstanding administrative questions about creating and managing a local EMS fund and about resident notification. One attendee noted there remain questions that finance and the city attorney must answer before any longer-term renewal. A motion to approve the amendment was moved and seconded and the council voted in favor.
The council did not record a detailed roll-call vote in the transcript; the meeting record indicates the body approved the amendment and directed staff to return with legal/financial guidance and any required resolutions or notices.
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