Salina Residents Could Pay More for Ambulance Service, Trash Collection and City Fees in 2027

Salina residents could see higher costs for ambulance service, trash collection, recycling and several other city services beginning in 2027 under a new fee schedule headed to the Salina City Commission.

Commissioners will consider adopting the city's 2027 Comprehensive Fee Schedule as part of the larger 2027 budget process Monday.

Ambulance Fees Increasing

Emergency medical service charges are among the fees proposed to increase.

Under the 2027 schedule, the city would charge $725 for Basic Life Support emergency service, $875 for Advanced Life Support Level 1 emergency service, $725 for ALS Level 1 non-emergency service and $1,000 for ALS Level 2 emergency service.

City staff said the EMS adjustments are intended to capture current Medicare reimbursement rates, with individual EMS fees increasing between approximately 2.94% and 11.11%.

Trash and Recycling Rates

Residents using the city's sanitation service would also pay more.

The monthly sanitation fee would increase to $21.75, an increase of approximately 2.4%.

The city's drive-through recycling fee would increase to $1.75 per month.

Other sanitation-related rates are generally proposed to increase between approximately 2% and 4%.

Licenses and City Clerk Fees

A number of fees administered through the City Clerk's Office are also proposed to increase. Staff said many of those charges have not been increased in approximately seven years, with the proposed adjustments generally ranging from 5% to 10%.

Examples in the proposed schedule include a three-year contractor license of $250, a three-year registered craftsman license of $85, an adult peddler license of $80, a juvenile peddler license of $55, a private refuse-hauler company license of $110 and a permit of $190 for each truck.

The city's code book would cost $250 unbound or $310 bound, with a binder costing $50.

Municipal Court Costs

The proposed fee schedule also sets Municipal Court costs at $80 beginning Jan. 1, 2027, along with a $50 warrant fee. Other court fines and fees are included in the comprehensive schedule.

Not Every City Fee is Increasing

The proposal does not represent an across-the-board increase in every city charge.

For example, the Smoky Hill River Festival prices listed in the comprehensive schedule remain $15 for an advance admission wristband, $20 at the gate and $10 for a daily wristband.

Downtown Business Improvement District fees are also proposed to remain unchanged for 2027. The BID/Salina Downtown Inc. board recommended a 0% increase in those assessments.

Water and Wastewater Rates Coming Separately

The fee schedule being considered Monday does not settle the city's 2027 water and wastewater rates.

City staff indicated those rates will be brought to the commission separately.

If approved, the new comprehensive fee schedule would generally take effect Jan. 1, 2027, although individual fees may have different effective dates listed in the schedule.

The Salina City Commission will consider the fee schedule along with the proposed 2027 budget during its regular meeting at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at the City-County Building.