Upcoming in Hall: Higher ambulance fees, paying taxes online

GAINESVILLE - Hall County commissioners have shown support for raising raise ambulance fees to get in line with Medicare and Medicaid rates.

Fire and EMS Chief David Kimbrell also wants the county to start charging mileage for in-county ambulance trips. Such fees are already charged for out-of-county trips.

"Every other county around does that. We've just never done it so I think we're leaving a little money on the table there," Kimbrell said.

Commissioners Steve Gailey and Deborah Mack opposed charging the fee for in-county trips.

ONLINE TAX PAYMENTS

Hall County property owners may also be able to pay property taxes and check their tax bills online for a nominal fee using E-checks or their credit cards.

Finance Director Michaela Thompson said the $1.99 fee would save taxpayers gasoline money by not having to come to the Tax Commissioner's office downtown and pay in person.

"It's a special type of service that will allow the taxpayers to view their bills online and be able to print them off," Thompson said.

Thompson added taxpayers are requesting the online service; Chairman Tom Oliver said he wanted to look into providing other services online.

Taxpayers would still receive paper tax bills in the mail.