To: Aaron Rector, City Manager
From: Charlie Skaggs, Fire Chief
Subject:
Title
Consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Addendum C to the existing agreement for specialized professional ambulance billing services with Emergicon, LLC, approved by Resolution No. 3821, to provide additional fire incident cost recovery and fire prevention fee billing and collection services through EmergiFire, LLC; adopting a fire incident mitigation fee schedule; and authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents on behalf of the City of Keller, Texas.
Background:
On October 18, 2016, City Council approved Resolution No. 3821, authorizing an agreement with Emergicon, LLC, for specialized professional ambulance billing services for Keller Fire-Rescue.
Keller Fire-Rescue is requesting authorization to expand the existing agreement through Addendum C with EmergiFire, LLC, to include fire incident cost recovery and billing and collection services for existing Fire Department fees, including operational permits, inspections, and false alarms.
The proposed fire incident cost recovery program would allow the City to seek reimbursement for eligible emergency response expenses through available insurance coverage. EmergiFire would identify eligible incidents, submit insurance claims, process payments, and provide monthly financial reports. Under the proposed program, uninsured individuals would not be billed, and denied insurance claims would not be pursued for further collection.
EmergiFire would also administer billing and collection of the City's previously adopted fire prevention fees, reducing the administrative responsibilities of Fire Department staff.
The proposed fee schedule includes existing Fire Department and ambulance fees, along with new incident mitigation fees for motor vehicle accidents, fires, hazardous materials incidents, gas leaks, and specialized rescue services. The incident mitigation fees have not previously been adopted by City Council and are included for approval as part of this resolution.
Financial Impact:
The proposed fire incident cost recovery program does not require an upfront payment to EmergiFire.
Under Addendum C, EmergiFire would receive compensation equal to 15 percent of revenues collected on behalf of the City. An additional 2 percent charge would apply to credit card payments accepted by EmergiFire.
The program would provide an additional opportunity to recover eligible emergency response expenses through available insurance coverage. Actual revenues would depend on the number and type of eligible incidents, available insurance coverage, and successful collections.
Legal Review:
The City Attorney has reviewed the attachment.
Alternatives:
City Council has the following alternatives:
- Approve as submitted
- Approve with changes
- Denial
Council Action:
Staff recommends approval of the resolution authorizing Addendum C for additional fire incident cost recovery and fire prevention fee billing and collection services and adopting the proposed incident mitigation fee schedule.