PRESENTER: Presenter
Sandy Paulos, Director of Finance
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of the first reading of an ordinance amending the New Braunfels Code of Ordinances Chapter 54-Fire Prevention and Protection; Emergency Medical Services, Section 54-146 Mitigation Rates for the delivery of emergency and non-emergency services by the Fire Department; moving and amending definitions in Ordinance 2015-66, Exhibit A, to Sec. 54-146; and moving all fees to Appendix D, Fee Schedule; providing a savings clause; and declaring an effective date.
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DEPARTMENT: Fire Services
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A presentation regarding these proposed fee adjustments was given at the July Council Retreat and then again at the January 16, 2024, Council meeting. At these meetings, staff was given direction to move forward with implementation of the proposed fee adjustments including changes to the Fire Prevention and Protection related fees, more specifically for Fire Incident Recovery (Mitigation Rates) related fees. The Fire Incident Recovery related fees have not been adjusted since implementation in 2015. These adjustments would bring the fees more in line with benchmark cities and help cover increased costs related to fuel, salaries, and operating costs to respond to fire incidents. As a reminder these charges are billed to insurance companies, not individuals.
The proposed rates are based on a 26% CPI adjustment as recommended by our Fire Incident Billing Company.
If approved, the change for the Fire Incident Recovery fees will have an implementation date of April 1, 2024.
The proposed fee adjustments are as follows:
ISSUE:
FISCAL IMPACT:
Any additional revenue generated by these fee adjustments will be incorporated into the FY 2025 Budget to help offset increased costs and cover unfunded resource needs.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the ordinance.