Did you know that the fire department has an extensive list of fees that they may charge residents and non-residents alike with wide discretion afforded the fire chief.
The fire department is requesting an increase in several fees, most notably for Critical Care Transport in the amount of $1036 plus oxygen, supplies and mileage. Pity the poor soul that does not have insurance!
Calls for service at residential structure fires shall not be subject to any fees unless it is determined to be for cause, as is identified in Section 2.28.170.
The purpose of the Fee Schedule is to provide for the reimbursement of costs for emergency and/or non-emergency responses by the Georgetown Fire Department for certain emergency incidents, special events, malicious incidents, hazardous material incidents, technical or specialized rescue incidents, motor vehicle collisions, and incidents caused by negligence and/or willful disregard for established fire and life-safety codes. Additionally, the Fee Schedule shall be applied to responses to non-City residents and/or those responses not covered under an approved mutual or automatic-aid agreement.
There are several pages of fees that the city is authorized to charge in addition to the property taxes that citizens have to pay. There is needs to be a public discussion on the scope and amount of fees that are levied by the city.
When you have a monopoly, you can charge whatever you like.
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