96 replies to this topic

[supermom]

Three years ago I had to get my old car towed from the dam to the garge on E. Bidwell. What is that place called? its right across from the bowling alley. Anyway, I paid $50.

I don't believe for a hot blooded second that inflation has gotten that bad.

[Terry]

Three years ago I had to get my old car towed from the dam to the garge on E. Bidwell. What is that place called? its right across from the bowling alley. Anyway, I paid $50.

I don't believe for a hot blooded second that inflation has gotten that bad.

It's OK Tire, owner Bob Briggs - best place for automotive work.

[Robert Gary]

It's OK Tire, owner Bob Briggs - best place for automotive work.

I've had Bob do some machining work for me. He is indeed a good guy. Very old school, straight shooter, tells it like it is without any B.S. We need more straight talkers like Bob. If you want to be served popcorn while you wait go to the theater.

-Robert

[folsom500]

robably semantics.

2) When I initially contacted the city they referred me to the billing company. The billing company didn't have any information on the bill. I've since gotten an email from the city offering to break down the bill. It is interesting that both my son and his friend received a bill for precisely the same amount. I'm not sure if the typical cost is $3400 and they split it between the two or if each person that they treat receives the same bill.

-Robert

Did you get a full break down of that charges for both your son and his friend other than the towing and storage ?
$1700 per person sounds a bit much...

We would like to know your full breakdown if you can post that -

[supermom]

I heard that Roseville considered this form of billing but decided against it?

When did this become a part of Folsom's practices?

It is so very nice to send a condolence letter to a family after a tragedy by charging them a fee for arriving at the scene of an emergency.

[firemedic24]

This is an Ambulance Bill! Folsom has charged for ambulance services since the early 1980's... They have always (and still do) provided ambulance services cheaper then any other agency in Sacramento County. You do not have to believe me just do a little research.

[The Average Joe]

The bottom line is that if I am in an accident, and I can arrange my own towing and take myself for whatever medical services I may need, I do not want those things being arbitrarily forced upon me at an exorbitant rate. Ambulances are for EMERGENCY situations where life and limb are in jeopardy, not for cuts, scrapes and bruising. I can call a tow truck and have my car towed to the appropriate place.
If I am incoherent, unconscious, severely injured or bleeding profusely, then I can certainly see the need for immediate medical care.

Whether they have been doing it for years is irrelevant. So is the claim they are cheaper than other exorbitant locales.

[25or6to4]

well, if it is a legitimate ambulance ride bill? Then the question becomes, what is covered by your healthcare insurance? I took a $1,500 ride in an ambulance once, and my healthcare insurance carrier paid the bill.

[Robert Gary]

well, if it is a legitimate ambulance ride bill? Then the question becomes, what is covered by your healthcare insurance? I took a $1,500 ride in an ambulance once, and my healthcare insurance carrier paid the bill.

So you're saying that its ok for our Fire Department to charge for services if insurance covers it?? Are you rooting your morality in insurance companies?

-Robert

[FolsomEJ]

So you're saying that its ok for our Fire Department to charge for services if insurance covers it?? Are you rooting your morality in insurance companies?

-Robert

Robert - A lot of us are saying exactly that. If you take a ride in an ambulance, in any county in California (and likely in other states too), you pay a price. In some cases that price is paid by insurance. So what? This is standard practice. This is NOT a Folsom thing. It is everywhere. Folsom happens to be cheaper than almost everywhere else. We all understand you are offended by the outcome...we get it.

I think you should have moved into another state of acceptance by now. For your own well being, let it go.

Ed

ps: for everyone else that wants to piss and moan about Folsom - your anger is misdirected. Perhaps you might want to rant about the fact that MediCal patients pay nothing. I'm certain this influences the rates the rest of us pay - insured or cash payers.

[Robert Gary]

Did you get a full break down of that charges for both your son and his friend other than the towing and storage ?
$1700 per person sounds a bit much...

We would like to know your full breakdown if you can post that -

I'm expecting to meet with the FD next week and they've said they can break down the fees. A couple points
1) The car towing is totally separate paid to them tow company. I only mentioned them as well because they claimed their fees were required by the city. The $1700 X 2 is just for the FD.
2) Some of said that you only pay for the FD if they transport you. I don't believe that it true. According to their own fee schedule they also charge you for giving oxygen ($85), monitor heart rate ($60), giving positive airway pressure ($25). http://www.folsom.ca...sp?BlobID=16389 Notice the kids are suppose to also pay a $169 fee to the FD before launching model rockets for science class.
3)A friend relayed to me that he called Folsom FD to assist getting his fire up after she fell and broke her ankle. He was charged a $1000 fee.
4) From what I can tell there is no fee for putting out fires, just for providing medical assistance. I've also sent an email off to the Folsom PD to ask what emergency service fees they may charge citizens.

Its very clear from the reaction on this forum that these fees are very much a surprise to the majority of citizens. Most of us didn't realize the city charges for emergency assistance especially after the city took such a public stance against other cities (Sacramento, Roseville) that proposed charging for assistance required for car accidents).

-Robert

[The Average Joe]

I love all the inspection fees. Again, those guys are getting paid the same salary whether sitting in the house, out on call, or inspecting. What a revenue grab. Sure seems like double dipping to me...

I think it reflects poorly on a city (and it's employees) to cook the books and then balance the inevitable shortfall with all kinds of fees, assessments and permit revenue.

Frankly, it's embarrassing.

[Redone]

Ironically, MAY 22nd City Council agenda:


8. New Business:


a. Ordinance No. 1164 - An Ordinance of the City of Folsom Amending Chapter 3.25 (Emergency
Transportation Service Charges) of Title 3 (Revenue and Finance) of the Folsom Municipal Code
to
Include a First Responder Paramedic Service Fee (Introduction and First Reading)

PROPOSAL
http://www.folsom.ca...1/DO_123151.pdf

[MikeinFolsom]

The bottom line is that if I am in an accident, and I can arrange my own towing and take myself for whatever medical services I may need, I do not want those things being arbitrarily forced upon me at an exorbitant rate. Ambulances are for EMERGENCY situations where life and limb are in jeopardy, not for cuts, scrapes and bruising. I can call a tow truck and have my car towed to the appropriate place.
If I am incoherent, unconscious, severely injured or bleeding profusely, then I can certainly see the need for immediate medical care.

Whether they have been doing it for years is irrelevant. So is the claim they are cheaper than other exorbitant locales.

And that's why you can refuse service. I don't see what the problem is......?

[The Average Joe]

And that's why you can refuse service. I don't see what the problem is......?

You can't refuse an inspection. We shouldn't have to pay for things twice because the previous city admin made foolish unsustainable bargains (but hey, the whole state was doing it, so I guess that makes it ok).
You can't pay someone for working for 30 years, and then pay them 90% of their salary for the next 30 years and expect to have enough money for the new guys that replace them. It is an actuarial impossibility. That's one big reason why we are getting nickel and dimed for services we already pay for.
While I do appreciate the service safety workers provide, I take issue with the draining of current resources to fulfill the unsustainable deals made in the past.

A great overview can be found HERE The introduction to the report follows (bold mine):

"Dear Governor and Members of the Legislature:

California’s pension plans are dangerously underfunded, the result of overly generous
benefit promises, wishful thinking and an unwillingness to plan prudently. Unless
aggressive reforms are implemented now, the problem will get far worse, forcing
counties and cities to severely reduce services and layoff employees to meet pension
obligations.

The public agency managers responsible for administering California’s dozens of
pension plans need the Governor’s and Legislature’s help to impose the structural
discipline they lack and to provide alternatives that can put the system on a path to
sustainability.

One need look no further than the actions of some 200 public agencies in the months
since the steep decline in the stock market and housing values in 2008: Rather than
foreswear risky behaviors, these public agencies in California instead have improved
pension benefits for their employees. Up and down the state, cities, counties, and fire
and water districts rewarded employees with “golden handshake” agreements that
provide extra service credit to retire early; introduced favorable methods to calculate
pension benefits based on the single highest year of compensation; and lowered
retirement ages that extend the government’s obligation to pay lifetime retirement
benefits. These actions further burden pension plans that already are unsustainable.

In its study of public pensions, the Commission found that the state’s 10 largest
pension funds – encompassing 90 percent of all public employees – are overextended in
their promises to current workers and retirees."