[Peace-discuss] So much for the notion of free utilities and services from government

[LAURIE SOLOMON]

Apparently protect and serve will now be at a cost.  I have to wonder how
the poor and working poor will be able to afford such security and safety; I
have to wonder if this means that the local resident's taxes will be reduced
or if they will be expected to continue to chip in for activities that are
being charged for and funded by outsiders.  And it seems stupid and
near-sighted to say that the insurance companies will be paying for the fees
as if that would mean that it will not cost anyone anything.  Don't they
expect that the insurance companies will recoup the losses in spades by
charging more for insurance to not only out-of-county residents but to all
their insures (particularly given that should these fees catch on, every
county and municipality will try and charge fees for handling accidents -
and not just on federal highways but on local roads and streets as well).


 


Urbana council to consider emergency-response fees


By Mike Monson <http://www.news-gazette.com/news/reporter/mmonson/>  


Saturday, May 16, 2009 8:42 AM CDT


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URBANA - Starting July 1, out-of-county residents who get into an accident
on Interstate 74 that requires the response of the Urbana Fire Department
will likely have to pay for it.

The city council will consider at its meeting Monday night authorizing the
city to charge for fire-service responses to people who live outside of
Champaign County. In cases of serious accidents, the bill could be several
hundred dollars.

The council meets at 7 p.m. Monday at the City Building, 400 S. Vine St.

City Fire Chief Mike Dilley said that while the ordinance is not limited to
Interstate 74, that's where most of the charges will likely occur. He said
the department responds to I-74 accidents nearly 20 times per year.

"It's basically so we can recoup our expenses when we send the fire
apparatus to the interstate for nonresidents," Dilley said.

City Attorney Ronald O'Neal said the city of Champaign is considering
enacting a similar fee, as both cities are scrambling to raise revenue
during the economic downturn.

O'Neal said many cities across the country charge such fees, including some
departments that charge their own residents. He said auto insurance
companies will typically pay for the expense.

The authorizing ordinance does not include a specific schedule of fees,
which will be added at a later date. But Dilley said he intends to ask for
at least $250 per incident.

Charges will vary per incident, with the plan to charge $150 per hour per
apparatus and $35 per hour per firefighter.

An accident rescue involving an extraction of someone from a vehicle would
typically see two engines and a command car respond, with about seven
firefighters, he said.

"If you are there an hour, it could get expensive," Dilley said.

 

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