Freeport Development News
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City Council Meeting - 6/15/2026
Published: Jun 15, 2026
Freeport Council Debates Ambulance Fee Increases Amidst Budgetary Concerns
The council considered an ordinance to amend charges for ambulance service, proposing increases to resident and non-resident rates and mileage fees. The fire chief presented data justifying the increases due to rising costs and to align with regional rates, noting that the revenue would support the fire department's capital improvement fund for vehicle and building replacement. A proposed amendment to cap the increase at 5% annually and reflect accumulated increases over four years failed. The original proposal to raise the resident rate to $2,000, non-resident to $2,500, and mileage to $20 was ultimately moved forward for further consideration.
Wastewater Hauler Fees to Increase in Freeport
The council reviewed an ordinance to amend charges for domestic strength waste disposal and hours of operation for wastewater haulers. The proposed changes include increasing the fee for a 500-gallon tank or less from $40 to $50, raising the per-gallon rate for over 500 gallons from $0.08 to $0.12, and introducing a new $20 disposal fee for campers. These adjustments aim to cover increased operational time and costs since the last ordinance update. The fire department confirmed that sample testing is conducted to prevent damage to the wastewater treatment process.
Freeport Fire Department Proposes Flat Fee for Facility Lift Assists
The council reviewed an ordinance to amend charges for lift assistance services provided by the fire department. The proposal is to change the current half-hour increment fee of $72.50 to a flat fee of $150, regardless of time. This charge would only apply to facilities like nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities when they require the fire department's help to move patients and are unable to provide adequate personnel themselves. Lift assists for individual residents in their homes or in public would remain free of charge. The change is enabled by a new state law allowing such fees and aims to recover costs for services provided to commercial facilities.
New Stop Signs Approved for Broadway and Oak Intersection to Enhance Safety
The council discussed and approved an ordinance to add two additional stop signs at the intersection of Broadway and Oak to improve safety. Data was presented showing 52 calls for service, 38 self-initiated traffic stops, two vehicle crashes (one with hospitalization), and 34 citations issued at the intersection since January 1st, 2025. The police chief supported the measure. A motion to suspend the rules to pass the ordinance on its first reading was approved, and the ordinance subsequently passed unanimously.
Freeport Streamlines Signage Regulations with Updated Ordinance
The council reviewed an ordinance to amend chapters related to sign regulations, consolidating most sign rules into a single chapter (Chapter 1468) for clarity and ease of navigation. Key changes include updated permit fees, regulations for temporary and exempt signs, permitting wall art and clarifying mural definitions, modernizing illuminated sign regulations, establishing roof signs as prohibited (with variances available), setting new standards for home occupation signs, and reducing maximum billboard sizes. These changes aim to improve clarity, safety, and efficiency in sign management.
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The Freeport News archive
Committee of the Whole - 6/8/2026
City Council Meeting - 6/1/2026
City Council Meeting - 5/18/2026
Committee of the Whole - 5/11/2026
City Council Meeting - 5/4/2026
City Council Meeting - 4/20/2026
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