Ambulance fee hike proposed for Port Angeles

PORT ANGELES — The staff of the city of Port Angeles has proposed an 8 percent increase in the public ambulance fee in 2011.

Staff are proposing to increase the Medic 1 charge, which helps subsidize the cost of a ride in a public ambulance for Port Angeles residents, from $4.35 per month to $4.74 for residential utility customers and from $4.57 per month to $4.98 per month for businesses.

Fire Chief Dan McKeen said the city used $76,000 in reserves to offset increasing costs last year but can’t afford to do that again in 2011.

The City Council will consider approval of the increase at its Tuesday meeting.

City staff members also propose a 30 percent discount in Medic 1 fees for facilities that provide subsidized housing for people in need.