|
Secord Township Fire/Rescue Run Charges Ordinance
An ordinance to establish charges for
fire department services under Michigan Public Act 33 of 1951, as amended (MCL 41.801 etc.)
and to provide methods for the collection of such charges and exemptions there-from. The Township of Secord, Gladwin County,
Michigan ordains: Section 1: Short Title
This
Ordinance shall be known as the Secord Township Emergency Services Charges
Ordinance.Section 2: Purpose:
This Ordinance is adopted for the purpose
of providing financial assistance to the Township in the operation of a fire department
from those receiving direct benefits from fire protection or emergency services. It is
the further purpose of the Ordinance to provide for a portion of the costs incurred by the
Secord Township Fire/Rescue Department for certain emergency services provided.
Section 3: Charges
Charges shall hereafter be imposed upon
responsible parties. The Township Treasurer shall bill by first class mail with postage
fully paid to the person, persons or entity which received, required, necessitated or
caused to be rendered the service, and the bill shall be due and payable to the Township within
90 days of the mailing of said bill. Charges shall be made for, but not limited to,
replacement costs related to disposable personal protective equipment, extinguishing agents,
environmental cleanup and time committed by Fire Department personnel. Charges
shall be allowable any time Secord Fire and/or Rescue personnel are required to be
physically involved in responding to an emergency situation within their jurisdiction.
Should Secord Fire and Rescue be called for Mutual Aid in another jurisdiction, there shall
be no charge, even if Secord is first on scene. Specific charges for services rendered shall
be posted at the Secord Township Hall and at the Secord Fire Hall. Any default of payment
shall be collectible through proceedings in district court or in any other court
of competent jurisdiction as a matured debt.
Section 4: Appeal
Any party aggrieved by a charge
authorized in this Ordinance may appeal the charge as follows: A..
Within the time period for which a bill is payable, the party shall
file a written request with the Township Clerk setting forth
specific reasons why the charge is improper. B.
The Clerk shall notify the aggrieved party, in writing, of the
time, place and date the Appeals Board will hold a hearing on the
issue. C.
The Appeals Board may grant relief on appeal if it finds good cause
and sufficient proof to satisfy the Board. D.
The Appeals Board may extend the time for payment for a reasonable period, not to exceed one (1) year.
Section 5: Appeals Board
The Appeals Board shall consist of the
Township Supervisor (or designee) and two other members of the Township Board. (or their
designees). The Secord Township Fire Chief or Asst. Chief shall be available whenever
the Fire Charge Appeals Board meets.
Section 6: Exemptions
The following properties and services
shall be exempt from the foregoing charges: A..
False alarms and B. Fires involving Township buildings, grounds and/or property
Section 7: Collection of charges The Township may proceed in
district court by suit to collect any monies remaining unpaid and shall have any and all other
remedies provided by law for the collection of said charges.
Section 8: Multiple property protection
When a particular service
rendered by the Township Fire Department directly benefits more than one person or property, the owner
of each property so benefited and each person so benefited where property protection is
not involved shall be liable for the payment of the full charge for such service herein
before outlined. The interpretation and application of this section is hereby delegated to
the Township Fire Chief subject only to appeal, within the time limits for payment, to the
Township Board and shall be administered so that charges only be collected from
the responsible parties. Section 9:
Severability
Should any provision or part of the
Ordinance be declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or
unenforceable, the same shall not affect the validity of enforceability of the balance of this
Ordinance which shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 10: Effective date
This Ordinance shall take effect 30 days
after publication. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby
repealed.
Secord Township Fire/Rescue Department
Run
Charges Structure Fire $500.00
Grass Fire $250.00
Vehicle Accident/Fire $250.00
Rescue Run Free
Research completed by the Secord Township
Fire Board indicates the following:
Every home Owners Policy contains
provisions for reimbursing Fire Departments. Every Comprehensive Vehicle
Policy contains provisions for reimbursing Fire Departments. Further, State Law does not
allow an insurance company to raise rates or cancel a policy due to
reimbursements to a Fire Department.
Ordinance and Run Charges approved by the Secord
Township Board at the regular Township Meeting, Wednesday, September 19,
2007.
|
