Ambulance charges are excessive and unfair

I have a few things I need to get off my chest.

I was in shock when I received my City of Moses Lake bill in January and noted that my ambulance charges were doubled from $11.85 to $23.70.

I called the city to see what was going on and was told these charges were city council-approved to raise the charges to business owners and if your building was over a certain amount they would double what you have been paying.

I am wondering how many council members own a business building. I assume none.

Since I own my own home, I now have to pay $11.85 on my house and $23.70 on my building for a total of $35.55 fr the ambulance service. This is outrageous.

I was also told my the fire department that the city was not collecting enough money to pay for the ambulance service because we have so many state-assisted families in Moses Lake, which was the reason for the increase. So the way I see it, I’m not only paying my share, but someone else’s too. That does not make me happy. If this is the case, I am of the opinion that the city is paying the ambulance company too much money and they need to make a change.

I also read in the Herald what great shape the city is in financially. If that is the case, how come my ambulance charges were doubled?

I have a suggestion: If they need more money to pay for the ambulance service, why doesn’t the city charge every family $5 each for every can they leave on the street after their pickup day?

Also, I am wondering who is responsible for giving a permit for the Dutch Bros. coffee shop to be built where it is? It is a real bottleneck for them as well as Walgreens. The city employee that allowed this needs to be looking for another job.

There, I have complained about several things and although this letter will be ignored, I feel better.

Eleanor E. Sortor

Moses Lake