The city of Buchanan and Southwest Michigan Community Ambulance Services have reached a new agreement.

The Buchanan City Commission voted unanimously Monday to opt into a special assessment district for EMS. It would apply to most properties in the city, including apartment units and mobile home pads to pay for the EMS services.

SMCAS Director Brian Scribner explained.

“They divide the operational cost based on population, and they each take a portion of that subsidy and they pay it to us,” Scribner said. “So this is how the city of Buchanan is choosing to cover that operational cost for that subsidy.”

On October 30, the city will look to finalize the details of the agreement. Scribner said the city will generally come up with a per parcel fee, which will cover the full amount of the subsidy. The tax will go in effect on this year’s winter taxes for residents.

The assessment lapsed last year and the city had to pay the bill, for services as it prepared to bring back the special assessment district.