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The Montgomery County Council voted Tuesday to alter the language of a ballot question sought by the county's volunteer firefighters.

The volunteers are currently gathering signatures for voters to decide on the county's newly approved fee for some ambulance rides.

The firefighters proposed the language: "Shall the Act to impose an emergency medical services transport fee become law?"

However, Acting County Attorney Marc Hansen recommended the language be lengthened and include more details on who would be charged the fee.

Patients could be charged between $300 and $800, depending on the amount of care needed, for rides in a county ambulance. For patients with insurance who live in the county, their insurance companies will be billed. The same will apply to Medicare and Medicaid patients, with the federal or state government getting the bill.

In-county patients without insurance will have the fee waived.

The firefighters must gather signatures from 5 percent of the county's 614,658 registered voters — or 30,733 — according to Betty Ann Lucey, voter registration absentee manager for the county's Board of Elections.

The number of registered voters changes daily, she said, but the firefighters will be measured by the tally on June 3, when they began the petition process.

The council voted 6-3 Tuesday to approve a modified version of Hansen's recommended ballot language.

The Nov. 2 ballot will include the question: "Shall the Act to require the collection of an emergency medical services transport (ambulance) fee from: (1) County residents to the extent of the resident's insurance coverage; and (2) non-County residents subject to a hardship waiver become law?"

Council members Philip M. Andrews, Roger Berliner and Nancy M. Navarro voted against the language.

Eric N. Bernard, executive director of the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association, said the organization prefers the original question.

He called the new wording "confusing" to voters.

"We wanted it simple," he said.

Knapp wants Rice to fill seat

Montgomery County Councilman Michael J. Knapp (D-Dist. 2) wants Del. Craig L. Rice to fill his seat when Knapp steps down in December.

Rice (D-Dist. 15) of Germantown announced Friday that Knapp, also of Germantown, is endorsing him in this year's election.

"When you look at this race, there are four opportunities for it to go in the wrong direction and one opportunity for it to go in the right direction, and that is this gentleman right here, Craig Rice," Knapp said at a July 21 event in the offices of Loiderman Soltesz Associates.

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D), who has endorsed Rice along with Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), also attended the event.

Leventhal leads effort to condemn hate crime at county synagogue

Councilman George L. Leventhal (D-At large) of Takoma Park led an effort Tuesday for the council to condemn a reported hate crime at a local synagogue.

The full council supported a resolution authored by Leventhal's staff that condemned the incident.

On Monday, police reported that Nazi-related graffiti was discovered on the exterior of B'nai Shalom of Olney.

The synagogue's exterior walls, retaining wall, parking lot and light pole supports were damaged, police said.

Leventhal's resolution states that the council "expresses its sympathy for, and solidarity with, the congregants of B'nai Shalom of Olney as well as with all residents of Montgomery County."

The resolution also states that the council hopes those who vandalized the building will be held responsible.