Corte Madera and Larkspur residents who call an ambulance could see their bills rise roughly 12% starting Sept. 1 if the Central Marin Fire Council approves a fee increase at its Thursday, Aug. 13 meeting.

The council is set to vote on Resolution No. 2026/08 at 6:30 p.m. at 250 Doherty Drive in Larkspur. The proposal would raise the base rate for Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support transport from $2,164.79 to $2,418, according to a staff report authored by Fire Chief Ruben Martin. Mileage charges would climb from $55.36 to $60 per mile, and oxygen fees would jump from $143.72 to $172.

One line item would actually drop: the extra attendant fee falls from $316.25 to $161, a 49% decrease.

The Central Marin Fire Authority, which has served both towns since Corte Madera and Larkspur merged their fire departments in 2018, hasn't raised ambulance rates since July 18, 2023. The staff report notes CMFA's fees are currently the lowest among public ambulance transport agencies in Marin County.

As we reported Aug. 11, the fee update aligns CMFA's rates with those adopted by the Ross Valley Paramedic Authority in June and matches schedules used by Novato Fire, Marin County Fire, San Rafael Fire and the Southern Marin Emergency Medical Paramedic System.

Staff estimates the changes would bring in roughly $100,000 in additional annual cost recovery revenue.

The council's four members — Authority Chair Rosa Thomas and Pat Ravasio representing Corte Madera, and Stephanie Andre and Scot Candell representing Larkspur — will also consider Resolution No. 2026/07, which would authorize the authority's executive manager to handle administrative claims.

Thursday's session is the Fire Council's first since May 14, a three-month gap. The meeting agenda was posted Aug. 10. Residents can attend in person or join via Zoom (ID: 990 3431 0040).

The council's next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12.