Marion County Emergency Medical Service will raise base rates for transportation by ambulance beginning Jan. 1.

Rates will rise from $350, $300, or $250 — depending on the services — to $450, $400, and $350, respectively.

EMS Director Steve Smith recommended the changes Monday to Marion County Commission. He said rates in neighboring counties were considerably higher than in Marion County. The new rates will remain below the state average.

The per-mile rate for transportation remains the same, $10 per mile.

After the meeting, Smith said rates had remained unchanged during the three years he has been director.

There were 79 ambulance calls in November, down from 82 calls in November 2008.

The Hillsboro ambulance was called out 33 times. Peabody was called out 17 times; Marion, 15; Florence, eight; Tampa, four; and the backup unit, twice. Goessel first responders were called upon six times.

Through November, ambulance crews responded to 1,022 calls. That is down slightly from 2008’s record pace of 1,040 calls through November.