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Springdale hears first reading on proposal to bill for fire-department responses; billing contract also introduced
Summary
Council held first readings of two ordinances that would let the city charge mitigation fees for emergency and nonemergency responses by the Springdale Fire Department and contract with Fire Recovery USA LLC to bill those fees. Council took no action and requested more detail at the Oct. 1 meeting.
During a first reading on Sept. 17, council members heard Ordinance 40-20-25, which would create a mitigation-fee program charging for personnel, supplies and equipment deployed by the Springdale Fire Department at emergency and nonemergency incidents.
Under the ordinance language, mitigation fees would be based on actual costs and may be adjusted annually using the Consumer Price Index. The city would first file claims with responsible parties’ insurance carriers and, in some circumstances, bill responsible parties directly.
Mister Jacobs read the ordinance and said council will review the detailed fee schedule (Exhibit A) at a future meeting. A related first-reading ordinance, 41-20-25, would authorize the mayor and city administrator to contract with Fire Recovery USA LLC to handle billing and collections for mitigation fees.
City administration noted comparable practices in neighboring jurisdictions. Mister Ewell said several neighboring agencies use similar fee-and-billing approaches, and Chief Stanley is expected to appear Oct. 1 to provide operational details and answer questions from council.
Council did not vote on either ordinance at the Sept. 17 meeting. If the council moves forward, potential next steps would include publishing the fee schedule, reviewing administrative rules for billing and collections, and assessing the impact on residents and insurers.
What council members said
"The mitigation fees to be charged by the city for the delivery of emergency and non emergency services by the Springdale Fire Department shall be based on actual costs of the services," Mister Jacobs read during the first reading. Mister Ewell added that neighboring jurisdictions, including local townships and Butler County, have used similar practices.
Next steps
Council scheduled additional discussion and requested more detailed information from administration and the fire department; Chief Stanley is expected to provide answers at the Oct. 1 meeting.
