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Committee examines statute authorizing fire-protection charge and whether to meter fire district use
Summary
The presenter reported having pulled a statute that allows a municipality to add a fire-protection charge to bills. The committee discussed metering the fire district and whether charging for hydrant or fire flows is appropriate or customary.
Presenter told the committee they had pulled "the statute" permitting a fire-protection charge on bills and asked whether the municipality could charge the fire district for water usage. The committee noted the fire department currently receives an annual minimum bill but that many public buildings lack working meters, so actual usage is unknown.
Members debated the policy and the ethics of charging for water used during firefighting versus nonemergency uses (car washing, tank fills). Several committee members suggested installing meters on public buildings to track usage and reduce unbilled losses; staff volunteered to check with peer clerks whether other municipalities charge a fire-protection fee in the same way.
