Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council holds first reading of ordinance to modernize fire/rescue third‑party billing
Summary
On first reading, the council considered Ordinance 2025‑05‑13 to amend municipal code sections 35.05 and 35.12 to allow third‑party billing for hazardous materials, accidents and commercial carriers; staff said changes align the city’s ordinance with state law and will reduce general‑fund costs.
The council held the first reading of Ordinance 2025‑05‑13 on May 5, which would amend municipal code sections 35.05 and 35.12 to clarify the city’s authority to recover costs for certain fire and rescue responses through third‑party billing.
Chief (Fire/Rescue) explained the measure updates a long‑standing ordinance (in place for over a decade) to reflect current state allowances for cost recovery, particularly for hazardous materials responses and commercial carriers. The chief said a prior third‑party billing vendor had gone out of business and the city has engaged a new contractor to administer the program.
Staff noted the ordinance adopts statutory language to authorize billing insurance companies rather than pursuing individual residents for reimbursement; the policy primarily targets non‑resident incidents and commercial carriers (for example, accidents on I‑65) while avoiding bills to insured city residents except where insurance applies.
Action
Council moved to read the ordinance by title only and hold it for a second reading. The motion passed unanimously, which carries the measure forward for a subsequent meeting when the council may adopt it on second reading.
Why it matters
Updating the municipal code for third‑party billing is intended to recover consumable and response costs and reduce pressure on the general fund. Staff said the change will not change billing practices for insured residents who are city residents but will allow the city to pursue commercial carriers and out‑of‑town insurance when appropriate.
