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Goshen adopts narrower false‑alarm billing; council asks staff to study tiering for large commercial sites
Summary
On second and final reading the council adopted Ordinance 5261, narrowing false‑alarm billing to malfunction‑caused alarms and directing staff to investigate differentiated billing for large commercial or 'mega' occupancies; a minor wording amendment (insert 'Fire') was approved before the final vote.
On May 18 the Goshen City Council adopted Ordinance 5261 on second and final reading, revising the city’s false‑alarm penalty policy. Chief Powell explained that under the amended ordinance the city will bill only for alarm calls caused by malfunctioning systems rather than nuisance incidents such as smoke from cooking or other non‑alarm emergency events.
During discussion councilors raised concerns about how apartment complexes and large commercial or industrial occupancies should be treated. Public commenters urged clearer unit‑level recording when crews arrive and suggested stronger penalties or differentiated billing for large commercial properties that generate repeat false alarms. Chief Powell and the fire division’s assistant chief for prevention, Scott Thomas, said the department can perform building inspections on repeat alarms and would look at alarm panels and annual inspection reports from alarm companies to help diagnose chronic problems.
Council adopted a minor amendment to insert the word "Fire" in a subsection for clarity and then approved the ordinance on second reading with unanimous support. Council directed staff to examine options for tiered billing—potentially identifying "mega" buildings that require longer responses—and to return with proposed modifications at a later date if needed.
The ordinance and the staff follow‑up aim to reduce unnecessary emergency responses and incentivize property owners and managers to maintain alarm systems.
