TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, Interim City Manager
FROM: David Gerboth, Fire Chief
SUBJECT:
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Ordinance Bill No. 9-25 amending Salem Revised Code 2.840 Related to Ambulance Service on Public Streets.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Safe and Healthy Community
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SUMMARY:
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The proposed ordinance amends SRC 2.840 to support the City of Salem’s transition to a City-operated and administered ambulance transport service. These amendments align the City Code with the Council's direction, as provided in March 2024, to move toward a municipal ambulance model. The ordinance affirms the City’s exclusive right to operate ambulance service within city limits and updates language to provide the Council authority to set ambulance transport fees by resolution. It also grants the City Manager the authority to pursue the collection of unpaid accounts.
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ISSUE:
Shall the City Council advance Ordinance Bill No. 09-25, for the purpose of amending SRC 2.840 related to the transition to a City-operated ambulance service on public streets, to second reading?
RECOMMENDATION:
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Advance Ordinance Bill No. 09-25, for the purpose of amending SRC 2.840 related to the transition to a City-operated ambulance service on public streets, to second reading.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
In March 2024, the City Council directed staff to proceed with developing a City-operated and administered ambulance transport model.
SRC 2.840 currently contains provisions related to private ambulance services operating on public streets within the city limits of Salem.
The proposed amendments to SRC 2.840 include:
• Authorizing the Council to set ambulance service fees and membership rates by resolution.
• Allowing the City Manager to pursue delinquent accounts using all lawful remedies, including recovery of legal and collection costs.
BACKGROUND:
Historically, ambulance transport in Salem has been provided through contracted or franchised providers. In response to evolving community needs and Council direction, the City is transitioning to a municipally operated model to enhance coordination, improve service quality, and increase accountability. SRC 2.840 must be updated to reflect this operational shift, ensuring proper regulation of ambulance operations within the City and enabling fee recovery mechanisms. These revisions will support the implementation and enforcement of the new transport model.
DAVID GERBOTH
FIRE CHIEF
Attachments:
1. Ordinance Bill No. 09-25
2. Exhibit A to Ordinance No. 09-25