The Fargo area's public transportation system plans to start charging nursing homes $15 for certain trips the paratransit bus makes for facility residents.
The fee would help cover rising costs of the paratransit service, which is used by people who cannot use other buses in the Metropolitan Area Transit system.
Individual riders are charged $2 for each one-way trip.
City commissioners approved the new fee for facilities Monday.
The Moorhead City Council is slated to take it up in a week.
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If approved, the fees would start Feb. 1.
These facilities are paid by Medicaid to provide routine services, including transportation, said Julie Bommelman, the city's transit administrator.
No Fargo facilities submitted written comments about the proposal, and no representatives spoke at Monday's commission meeting.
But Teri Walter, case manager-coordinator at Rosewood on Broadway, said her facility would likely rely more on other options.
"I don't think we would see them as our No. 1 provider anymore," she said.
Walter said the Medicaid reimbursements aren't as simple as being paid for a set rate.
And increasing the nursing home's expenses ultimately results in rate increases.
The agency fee would apply only for medical trips for residents of five skilled nursing facilities in Fargo and day program trips for residents of eight intermediate-care facilities.
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Riders would not be charged in these cases.
It would also affect two skilled nursing facilities in Moorhead.
Paratransit ridership increased nearly 20 percent in 2006 and 14.4 percent to date in 2007.
The $2 rider fee is limited by federal rules.
Each trip actually costs about $16.50 Bommelman said.
Bommelman isn't sure why ridership is up, other than people with disabilities may be drawn to the Fargo area because services are available.
"I think we're just seeing a draw coming in from rural areas," she said.
"Really, that's the only reason we can come up with."
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Tax break extended
Buyers of new houses in Fargo can receive a tax break for two more years. Fargo city commissioners voted 4-1 Monday to extend the break for homes started between Feb. 1 and Jan. 30, 2010.
Commissioner Mike Williams cast the dissenting vote.
The break exempts property taxes on up to $75,000 of the building value for two years. The exemption will no longer be available for builders unless the home is their permanent residence.
Commissioners also approved a motion by Williams to ask the Planning Department to set a meeting with other area planning departments to discuss land use strategies.
- Andrea Domaskin
Readers can reach Forum reporter Andrea Domaskin at (701) 241-5556 Paratransit may charge fees Andrea Domaskin 20080101
