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Oroville council advances fire cost‑recovery ordinance for adoption on July 7
Summary
Council directed staff to return on July 7 to adopt a revised fire department cost‑recovery ordinance after a first reading; staff said the ordinance targets repeated non‑emergency misuse and includes exemptions and a review committee.
At a public hearing the Oroville City Council reviewed a revised fire department cost‑recovery ordinance and directed staff to return on July 7 with the item for adoption.
"This ordinance is not intended to bill residents for true emergencies or to discourage anyone from calling 911," the fire chief said, summarizing staff edits that add exemptions for bona fide emergencies and a review process before invoices are issued.
Staff said the ordinance targets repeated non‑emergency service demand, misuse of emergency services and preventable incidents that strain personnel and taxpayer resources. The draft includes a required review by a cost‑recovery review committee — comprised of the fire chief, city attorney and city administrator — before any invoice or warning may be issued.
There were no public comment cards on the item and the council voted to direct staff to bring the item back at the July 7, 2026 meeting for adoption; the motion passed unanimously.
Council members asked procedural questions about waiving readings and requested minor cleanup of grammar and spelling in the draft ordinance. Staff confirmed those edits would be made before the adoption hearing.
Next step: staff will prepare the final ordinance and return on July 7 for a formal vote on adoption and possible waiver of the second reading.
