NORWICH – In an effort to keep pace with operational expenses necessary to maintain the ambulance service in the City of Norwich, the Common Council is looking to increase rates of the city’s Ambulance Fee Recovery Program.

Earlier this month, city officials met with MiltiMed, the ambulance billing service that has contracted with the city since 1998, to review current rates and expenses (a process undertaken every two to three years). The goal is to ensure that rates are consistent with surrounding regions and meet the operating costs of the ambulance service, explained City Mayor Joseph Maiurano.

Pending approval from the council at next week’s Common Council meeting, the rates will go into effect June 21.

“We’re keeping in step with what inflation rates are,” Maiurano said, citing rising costs such as gas, maintenance and labor to keep the ambulance service running. “It’s more of a protection measure ... We’re basically making sure that we cover what will be paid.”