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Kentucky Department Charging ‘User Fee’ for Fires
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A suburban fire department in Louisville will begin charging fees later this summer to put out most home and business blazes.
The Lyndon fire district will charge the insurance companies of homeowners and businesses as part of a new "cost-recovery" program approved on Monday
Lyndon Fire Chief Russell Rakestraw said the fire district had no choice but to impose the fee.
"Unless we're going to drastically reduce our service, we have to do something to increase our income," he said.
Details are still being worked out on how much the district would charge for each type of fire.
Lyndon becomes the first Jefferson County fire district to add a fee for structure fires, though several districts bill insurance companies for services at auto-accident cleanups and vehicle fires, The Courier-Journal reported.
Officials hope to raise an additional $110,000 through the new charges.
Lyndon, an independent city with its own mayor and emergency services, has been part of Louisville's metro government since 2003.
Lyndon responded to its budget problems last year by occasionally closing one of its fire stations for 12-hour shifts.
For a structure fire, the district typically sends two engine companies, a truck and a battalion chief, which costs more than $1,000 for the first hour, said Lyndon Maj. John Stich.
Stich said Lyndon probably wouldn't charge for small stove or field fires, for instance, if they're easily handled and the damage is minor. Responding to an auto accident that involves a cleanup costs about $379, Stich said.
Brenda Warren, who lives on Old Mill Road in Lyndon, wasn't pleased when informed of the new fee.
"We pay enough of everything" already, Warren said Tuesday.
But Lyndon resident Angela Sheehan said, "I would be fine with that. The fire department has been cut quite a bit."
Lyndon had 148 fires last year: 83 structure fires, 12 vehicle fires and 27 field, mulch and grass fires.
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Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Lyndon fire district will charge the insurance companies of homeowners and businesses as part of a new "cost-recovery" program approved on Monday
Lyndon Fire Chief Russell Rakestraw said the fire district had no choice but to impose the fee.
"Unless we're going to drastically reduce our service, we have to do something to increase our income," he said.
Details are still being worked out on how much the district would charge for each type of fire.
Lyndon becomes the first Jefferson County fire district to add a fee for structure fires, though several districts bill insurance companies for services at auto-accident cleanups and vehicle fires, The Courier-Journal reported.
Officials hope to raise an additional $110,000 through the new charges.
Lyndon, an independent city with its own mayor and emergency services, has been part of Louisville's metro government since 2003.
Lyndon responded to its budget problems last year by occasionally closing one of its fire stations for 12-hour shifts.
For a structure fire, the district typically sends two engine companies, a truck and a battalion chief, which costs more than $1,000 for the first hour, said Lyndon Maj. John Stich.
Stich said Lyndon probably wouldn't charge for small stove or field fires, for instance, if they're easily handled and the damage is minor. Responding to an auto accident that involves a cleanup costs about $379, Stich said.
Brenda Warren, who lives on Old Mill Road in Lyndon, wasn't pleased when informed of the new fee.
"We pay enough of everything" already, Warren said Tuesday.
But Lyndon resident Angela Sheehan said, "I would be fine with that. The fire department has been cut quite a bit."
Lyndon had 148 fires last year: 83 structure fires, 12 vehicle fires and 27 field, mulch and grass fires.
___
Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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