The cost of EMS service to the City of McCleary was the focus of discussion at a meeting on Nov. 29 where the 2018 budget was passed by the city council by unanimous vote.
Mayor Brent Schiller reported that Fire District 5, which provides EMS service to the city, has put forward an annual figure of $100,000 as a starting point for contract negotiations. The city’s rate for 2017 for EMS services was $84,850.
Council members balked at the new figure, and the increase comes in the midst of McCleary already facing increased costs related to garbage, electricity, water and sewer.“We’ll still work with District 5 to negotiate this, but I don’t know where it is going to end up,” Schiller said.
Schiller said he intends to schedule a meeting with the Fire District 5 board of commissioners to review the proposal.