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Park Forest approves ordinance change and a contract to allow third-party billing for fire responses
Summary
The Board approved a final-reading ordinance updating Chapter 42 and a service agreement with Fire Recovery USA to bill and collect for emergency fire services in nonincorporated areas; the company’s collection fee is 22% and trustees approved both actions 5–0, with two absent.
At its Feb. 16 meeting the Park Forest Board of Trustees completed final reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 42 of the Village Code to update rates and permit third-party billing for emergency fire services in nonincorporated areas. Manager Jon Kindseth provided two handouts requested at the prior meeting: an Illinois client list showing 190 municipalities use Fire Recovery USA and a draft letter intended for nonincorporated residents.
After the ordinance reading, the Board considered and approved a service agreement with Fire Recovery USA, LLC to perform fire-department billing and collections. Manager Kindseth explained that the vendor’s fee for collection is 22 percent. Fire Chief Mark Cotrano clarified that a specific fee discussed related to the cost of answering an alarm.
Trustee Erin Slone moved to approve the ordinance (final reading); Trustee Tiffani Graham seconded. The roll-call vote on the ordinance was five ayes, zero nays, and two absent. Trustee Maya Hardy moved the service-agreement motion and Trustee Erin Slone seconded; that measure passed by the same roll-call result.
Mayor Joseph Woods said the agreement offers benefits to the Village and thanked staff for providing the requested materials. The ordinance and contract now authorize the Village to use the vendor’s billing services for eligible fire responses involving nonincorporated property.
