Title
Proposed Modifications to Fire Fees (B)
This item requests the City Commission hear a presentation on proposed modifications to fire fees in Appendix A Schedule of Fees, Rates, and Charges for the City of Gainesville and to provide direction to staff for implementation of the modifications to coincide with development of the FY16 budget. **ESTIMATED STAFF PRESENTATION 15 MINUTES**
Explanation
Gainesville Fire Rescue is proposing modifications to fire fees that are designed to reduce community risk through increased compliance with fire safety laws and to provide fees that off-set the cost of providing specialized services. The modifications also include a 5% increase (the same as most of the other fees in Appendix A) for existing fees and a restructuring of the building size ranges used to determine inspection fees.
Fire Safety inspection fees are currently charged on the first visit to the property. This plan would eliminate the inspection fee if a property is in compliance on the first visit. Properties not in compliance on a first visit would be billed a fee based on the building size and the fee would increase on subsequent visits if identified violations are not corrected. Ideally, by encouraging compliance on first inspection, the Risk Reduction Bureau should be able to utilize Fire Safety Inspector’s on more total inspections per year rather than having to make follow-up inspections.
Revenue enhancements are presented for consideration for Special Event, Temporary Assembly, and After Hours Inspections and Permits; Tent Inspections; Safe Assembly Crowd Manager Classes; and False Fire Alarm Activations.
False Fire Alarm Activation fees do not cover the cost of unit responses and may not provide enough incentive for reducing incidents and correcting deficiencies. The plan proposes increases particularly for the third through seventh occurrences.
Fiscal Note
It is anticipated that the fiscal impact may be revenue neutral.
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