City Hall briefs
Ambulance-fee reduction sought
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Monday, March 28, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Those who pay for ambulance services could get a break soon, should one city councillor get his way.
Deputy mayor Adrian Bell raised the idea of reducing the fee the municipality charges those who use its ambulances during a city municipal services committee meeting March 21.
Bell said someone contacted him about a situation with a seven-month-old child that resulted in a large bill - one he described as "horrific." He didn't provide further details.
According to the city's fees and charges bylaw, city residents pay $225 for an ambulance, rising to $350 for NWT residents from outside the city and to $400 for users not from the territory. There's also a "medical transfer" fee of $475 plus $75 per hour waiting time for patients coming in by medevac.
An ambulance called outside city limits triggers a fee of $1,500 plus $2 per kilometre travelled.
People can also be charged between $10 and $25 for medical supplies.
Bell said he'll be bringing forward a motion at a future meeting to lower the user cost of the service.
"I believe we should subsidize them more than we do," he told Yellowknifer about the fees, saying it is a discussion for councillors to have.
Dennis Marchiori, the city's director of public safety, said the city subsidizes the cost, pointing out the fire service - which includes ambulances - brings in about $1 million in revenue while costing about $5 million annually.
Marchiori, when asked, estimated about five per cent of bills go unpaid.
The cost can be covered by insurance and those registered as status Indians have trips covered by the federal government.
Coun. Julian Morse said he'd like staff to provide estimates of how reducing fees would impact the city budget.
Coun. Niels Konge suggested leaving the fees as they are.
"I don't think I have a problem with the way we're currently doing this," said Konge.
Marchiori said he's prepared information about the number and types of ambulance calls, the cost-recovery rate and other information that he'll provide to council.
City lays out budget schedule
A little more than three months into the year, city administration is already laying the groundwork for its 2017 budget.
Over the past two meetings, the municipal services committee has discussed a budget timeline that lays out what happens and when over the coming months leading to the approval of the document setting out how the city will spend taxpayer money.
Councillors have been asked to provide their input on the 2017-19 budget to staff by April 1.
On Monday, Coun. Julian Morse said he wants to see trail development. During a previous meeting, Coun. Niels Konge said he wants to see a budget with a zero property tax change.
Coun. Adrian Bell suggested council vote on projects to show whether there is support in principle before costs are estimated and projects are studied by staff.
"There has to be some measure of support," Bell said.
This time, the city plan calls for an earlier presentation by staff to councillors of its draft budget - May 2 - followed by gathering public input May 7 to Aug. 31.
The budget is expected to be approved, as usual, mid-December.
The document discussed by the committee laying out the timeline will go to council for approval.
Properties approved for auction
In the market for property? In June the city will host an auction for locations behind on paying property taxes.
On March 14, council approved a list of 15 properties sprinkled throughout the city, including Niven, Kam Lake, Frame Lake South, four in the Northland Trailer Park, and downtown.
The list approved by council shows some owing between $147 up to $46,000. Altogether, the city is owed more than $89,000 from the 15 properties, according to a staff report to council.
The largest bill is for 4310 50 Ave. for $46,318, according to a city report. That's the location of two businesses: Sunlines Alterations and Convenience and Ethanda Organic Day Spa. A for-sale sign recently appeared atop the building.
Yellowknifer went to both shops last week but employees at the businesses didn't know about the auction.
The auctions are a yearly occurrence. The city is legally allowed to auction the properties if taxes haven't been paid in two years. The minimum price for properties must be at least half of its assessed value.
The auction is set for June 15 at
city hall at 9 a.m.
