Tri-Cities revising shares in ambulance service

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Updated: March 16, 2012 8:05AM

BATAVIA — Both Batavia and Geneva are expected to increase their share in the Tri-City Ambulance Service partnership.

Bill McGrath, Batavia city administrator, told members of Batavia’s City Services Committee that a draft five-year agreement has each municipality paying fixed percentages:

Batavia would contribute 3.6 percent more than usage – 35 percent rather than 31.4 percent.

Geneva would contribute 4.4 percent more than usage – 27 percent instead of 22.6 percent.

St. Charles’ share would be 6 percent less than usage or a 35 percent contribution.

McGrath said St. Charles was left a “large physical and personnel infrastructure investment” when the Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District left the partnership.

McGrath said Batavia’s contribution will increase significantly because past agreements were based on each city’s equalized assessed valuation.

“The size of the increase is a measure of the benefit Batavia has been receiving over the years …” McGrath said. “We believe that maintaining this strong partnership … is very important for all of the communities into the far future.”

McGrath said at the end of the five years the cities would go to a straight usage-based funding based on an analysis of ambulance runs in those cities. Residents who call for ambulance services are also charged fees.

McGrath said the agreement provides a “better process” for withdrawals from the partnership to allow some planning time for those left behind.

All three cities are scheduled to consider the agreement this month.