ROANOKE -- If you need an ambulance in Roanoke, you soon may pay more.

The village's ambulance committee said higher user fees are needed to offset maintenance costs. The committee will vote tonight (July 6) on whether to recommend the increase.

Rates could change to $325 from $265 per call, plus $7 per loaded mile from $5.65.

"I feel this jump is a pretty good jump," committee Chairman Steve Aeschleman said, "but the actual cost is much higher."

The last rate increase was in 2005. The committee now will review the rates annually.

The ambulance averages about 100 calls per year and department costs are about $100,000 a year. Organizers expect about $65,000 in tax revenue this year, with fees and donations to offset the balance.

The board also will consider charging out-of-district residents a higher base rate and collect past-due accounts that currently amount to about $27,000.

The outstanding amount includes money owed by the state for Medicaid patients.

"We do not have a good process in place (to collect bills) and we need to come up with one," Aeschleman said.

The ambulance service has eight active emergency medical technicians and five active drivers. Mayor Bob Huschen suggested the committee ask trained professionals (doctors, nurses) in town to serve one day a month.