Rolling Meadows is raising what it charges for ambulance transports, and the extra money is already spoken for. The city plans to use the boost in billing to hire six firefighter‑paramedics, bringing on‑duty staffing to 48 and putting a long‑idle squad vehicle back into service. Officials say it is one of the biggest shakeups to the local ambulance fee schedule in years.
Council adopts fee update
At its June 23 meeting, the City Council signed off on an ordinance that updates the municipal fee schedule, increasing the base ambulance transport charge to $3,653 and the per‑mile rate to $20. The same ordinance authorizes six new firefighter/paramedic positions and puts the smaller squad truck back into daily use, according to the City of Rolling Meadows.
Officials point to rising call volume
Fire Chief Pete Sutter told council members that annual calls climbed to about 4,200 in 2025, up from roughly 2,715 in 1990. He cited more mental‑health emergencies, increased activity at nursing homes and doctors’ offices, and new multifamily housing as key drivers of the higher volume. “We never addressed the personnel,” Sutter said, adding that the changes are intended to keep crews adequately staffed and protect time for training. He also noted that ambulance fees are billed to patients’ insurance and that hardship waivers are available, according to the Daily Herald.
Payroll math and grant plans
City staff told aldermen that each new firefighter/paramedic would start at about $83,911, putting immediate personnel costs for the six hires at roughly $776,529. Over a decade, officials estimate the positions will cost about $11.4 million, while the higher ambulance billing could generate close to $13 million in that same period. The fire department also plans to pursue a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant of about $1.4 million over three years to help offset the upfront expenses, per the Daily Herald.
How Rolling Meadows stacks up
Even after the hike, Rolling Meadows’ new billed transport rate will land in the middle of the pack compared with some nearby suburbs. Arlington Heights lists a rate of about $2,637, while Buffalo Grove comes in around $4,684. Those comparison numbers come from a regional budget roundup compiled by the Village of Palatine, which lays out transport charges across several communities to put Rolling Meadows’ new fees in context, according to the Village of Palatine.
Next steps and what residents should know
Council members said the six hires will be phased in as the higher billing revenue begins to arrive, and mutual‑aid agreements with neighboring departments will continue to cover overlapping incidents during the transition. Residents with questions about when the changes take effect, how hardship waivers work, or how ambulance billing is handled are encouraged to contact the fire department or City Hall for more information on implementation and relief options.
