COLUMBIANA Council seeks research on fire-EMS levy

Council is considering changing the city's cable television service.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
COLUMBIANA -- City voters will likely see a levy on the November ballot for emergency services. Just what services will be included in the coverage, however, is still in question.
Tom Farley, director of Columbiana Emergency Medical Services, presented a proposal at Tuesday's council meeting for a property tax levy of about 2 mills to support emergency medical services and construction of an EMS building.
Council members, however, asked Farley to do more research with City Manager Keith Chamberlin and Fire Chief Charles Flohr to see if a levy for both fire and EMS services would be feasible.
Generating funds
Farley's proposed levy would generate about $200,000 per year for the EMS service, which is self-funded. Expenses are paid through fees charged to residents of Columbiana and Fairfield Township who subscribe to the EMS service. The service does not receive funding through taxes nor from city funds.
He said that without tax revenue or funding from the city budget, the department won't be able to operate in about two years, given the trends in Medicare and the private insurance industry. Much of the time the EMS must write off charges not covered by Medicare, Medicaid or insurance, and costs are becoming too great for the EMS to continue operating without financial help.
He said the levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $75 to $100 per year.
Council members said they recognized that the EMS department needs funding help to operate and for a new building. They don't want to be in a position, however, where voters approve 2 mills for the EMS and then are asked a year or two later for a 3-mill levy for the fire department.
Farley will bring a proposal to the June 17 meeting that includes costs for funding operations of both EMS and fire, and a facility that both services could share.
Cable TV agreement
A cable television franchise agreement proposed by Comcast, the city's cable provider, did not please council members, who said they will likely seek another cable provider. The city's franchise agreement with AT & amp;T Broadband expired June 30, 2002. Comcast has since purchased AT & amp;T Broadband and the city has been negotiating a new franchise agreement since then.
Council members said the cable provider did not compromise much and the agreement could cost city residents more money. Councilman Don Leonard said Comcast suggested in the proposal that the improvements city officials wants in the contract would cost about $125,000, and suggested raising franchise fees to generate the additional money.
Leonard said the city receives about $51,000 per year in franchise fees, which are paid by cable subscribers.
Council members also said they didn't like the tone of Comcast's proposal.
"The tone of this says 'take it or leave it,' so I think we should just leave it," Leonard said. "I hope some other cable companies will contact us."