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NILES — Niles City Council agreed Monday night on assessments for a local ambulance service.

The council moved 6-1 to affirm the 2025 SMCAS Special Assessment of $40.00 per parcel/unit. Councilmember Michael Thompson was the dissenting voter and Councilmember Gretchen Bertschy was absent.

The SMCAS Special Assessment was renewed for five years in 2022. The established assessment rates per parcel/unit for each year are $30 in 2022, $35 in 2023, $40 in 2024, $45 in 2025, and $50 in 2026. 

The stepped increases were estimated on anticipated increased operational, capital and employee costs. Prior to each year’s assessment SMCAS’ budget is reviewed and the City’s estimated financial liability is determined to verify the need for the full assessment. estimates a revenue shortfall of $822,590. 

As one of the six municipal owners of SMCAS the City of The 2025 SMCAS budget Niles is responsible for $211,813 of this shortfall. SMCAS has realized additional revenue from contracted services reducing the owner municipalities’ financial assistance. The new revenue allowed the city to hold the special assessment at the 2024 level of $40 per parcel/unit for the year.

SMCAS Special Assessment monies are restricted to funding the City’s portion of financial liability for operating expenses of SMCAS. The 2025 SMCAS Special Assessment of $40 per parcel/unit has the potential of generating approximately $271,760. Excess monies, if any, will be credited to the city’s future obligations to SMCAS and to make the City whole for past shortfalls with the special assessment.

In other business, council:

• Authorized a two-year contract with Menard Consulting, Inc., of Addison, Illinois for actuarial review of post-employment benefits at a cost of $3,400.00 for FY25 and $500 for FY26, charging the expense to the City’s insurance fund and professional services.
• Authorized the emergency purchase in the amount of $18,786.74 from Hickock Plumbing & Heating, LLC of Buchanan, Michigan to replace the heat exchanger at the Street Department and charge the expense to their Building Repairs and Maintenance Account.
• Approved the removal and disposal of various vehicles from the Police Department’s fleet due to the fleet’s age and condition.
• Authorized the Utilities Department to accept a quote in the amount of $415,978 from Advanced Rehabilitation Technology of Bryan, Ohio for the OBIC polyurea coating of the chlorine contact tanks at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, charging the expense to the Buildings and Buildings Equipment – Old budget.
• Granted four right-of-way easements over two parcels of city-owned properties to Indiana Michigan Power of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
• Authorized the Utilities Department to extend the Free Trimming and Line Clearance Contract for a third and final extension with Tree Servants of Plymouth, Indiana for 2026, charge the expense to the Electric Department’s Tree Trimming and Line Clearance budget.
• Authorized the Utilities Department to extend the Mowing and Grounds Maintenance Contract for a third and final extension at a cost of $28,200 with MAAC Property Services of Niles, Michigan, charging the expense to the various building and grounds maintenance budgets.
• Authorized the Utilities Department-Electric Division to accept the bid in the amount of $26,859 from A. Meredith Schneider of East Point, Georgia for the purchase of 60 wood utility poles, charging the expense to the Poles and Fixtures Department.
• Accepted the bid from Future Construction of Watervliet, Michigan in the amount of $7,500 to replace the roof at 621 S. State Street, with the expenses to be paid with CDBG funds.
• Accepted the bid from AirLux of Niles, Michigan in the amount of $14,970 to replace the HVAC system at 519 Superior St., with the expenses to be paid with CDBG funds.