ABERDEEN, Wash. — The City of Aberdeen has announced that residents will see an increase to the monthly EMS Utility fee starting January 1, 2026. The new rate, $67.54, will appear on the February 2026 utility bill.
According to the city, the adjustment is part of ongoing efforts to ensure reliable emergency medical services for the community.
Why the Rate Increase Is Needed
A cost-of-service study completed in 2024 found that the current EMS fee no longer covers the full cost of providing advanced life support and ambulance standby services. Several factors have contributed to rising expenses, including:
- Increased staffing needs due to growing call volumes
- Higher equipment maintenance, repair, and replacement costs
- Rising vehicle repair and replacement costs
The city also points to low reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid—an important issue since approximately 70% of EMS patients fall under those programs. Aberdeen officials say the low reimbursement forces the city to cover the gap using funds intended for other essential services like police, parks, code enforcement, and municipal court.
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By adjusting the EMS rate, the city says it can maintain operations without major reductions to service availability or other critical programs.
Expanded Assistance Programs Coming in 2026
The City of Aberdeen plans to roll out new utility assistance programs next year to help households facing financial hardship. These programs will include income-based support to help residents manage their monthly utility bills.
City Administrator Ruth Clemens noted that EMS call volumes have doubled since the pandemic, with more residents relying on EMS services for preventative care and chronic medical conditions. To address this, the city will also begin collecting additional data to help identify and reduce preventable emergency calls through new community risk-reduction initiatives.
“Our hope is to create a program that educates the public and redirects them to alternative resources for issues that aren’t true emergencies,” Clemens said.
Residents seeking more information can visit: www.aberdeenwa.gov
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