City may Bill for Rescue Services

Fort Worth Star-Telegram ^ | 9/12/06 | Jessica Deleon

[newpooh]

City may bill for rescue services By JESSICA DeLEÓN STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER Bedford City Councilman Charles Orean has proposed billing insurance companies for the services of the Fire Department at some auto accidents. He got the idea from a Revenue Rescue exhibit last year at a convention. Rescue Revenue is one of the providers. BEDFORD -- Motorists who cause traffic accidents in Bedford could face additional costs besides the damage. Their insurance companies could be billed for the services provided by the city's Fire Department. Bedford is considering a program that would charge the companies for the use of equipment and other items when clients cause certain accidents. House fires would likely be exempt. Cash-strapped cities and other government groups see this as a way to bring in revenue and defray costs. The City Council will discuss the topic today during its work session. Some council members call it double taxation. But others consider the program an innovative way to generate revenue. Bedford has faced budget problems in recent years and has been unable to purchase a fire truck and ambulance. But insurance companies will likely pass along increased costs in the form of higher rates, said Mark Hanna, spokesman for the Austin-based Insurance Council of Texas, which represents 500 insurance companies. "And we don't feel like that's right," Hanna said. The City Council heard a presentation, featuring a representative from Austin-based Revenue Rescue, at its meeting Aug. 29. Revenue Rescue bills insurance companies for fire departments' work handling fires, vehicle accidents and services involving hazardous materials. It would bill an individual's insurance company $300 per tool used in an accident; $25 per gallon of foam; and $50 for a fire extinguisher.

[ASOC]

Is this the first step in privatizing the public sector ?

or

Just another set of pols trying to pick taxpayers pockets ?

The short piece doesn't seem to explain why there is a budget shortfall, but one can assume many things.

[Cecily]

This is a heck of a note for taxpayers. You already pay your pro rata share of taxes to cover these services, and then get billed again if you are deemed to cause the services to be needed?

[DustyMoment]

This is a heck of a note for taxpayers. You already pay your pro rata share of taxes to cover these services, and then get billed again if you are deemed to cause the services to be needed?

That's how I see it as well. Perhaps this councilman never studied American history, or just slept through the part where they talked about double taxation. That's what this boils down to.

[HairOfTheDog]

What the heck did this city do with the public money already set aside for this? Every Fire/Rescue/Ambulance levy I've ever seen on the ballot passes easily. There should be NO need to charge for these services, to some perceived deep pocket insurance company that will raise all our rates.

[HairOfTheDog]

It would bill an individual's insurance company $300 per tool used in an accident; $25 per gallon of foam; and $50 for a fire extinguisher.

Fender bender! Bring ALL the tools!

[MediaMole]

Many traffic accidents involve people from outside the community or who otherwise pay no taxes.

[Ro_Thunder]

When I was a member of the local volunteer fire department, we routinely billed the insurance companies for time when called out for traffic accidents, house fires, etc. We'd actually get checks from over half of them. Our policy was bill'em, and if we get anything great - that means we keep the doors open another month or gas in the trucks. If we don't, then hey, we don't.

[Cecily]

That may be, but they are probably paying taxes somewhere, and the principle of reciprocity is what we have always had. If you live in New Orleans and need fire, rescue or police services while in Baton Rouge (or anywhere else), the city or county where you do not live doesn't bill you just because you don't live there.

[ASOC]

Yup, small organization often suffer from old or outdated equipment. With new engines/pumpers costing in the $300K range, I don't know how the small town departments survive.

But, somehow, they will. I have no problem with billing for services - just wondering what caused the budget crisis....but these stories always seem to lack any detail of that sort.

[newpooh]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedford%2C_Texas


Bedford passed the Senior/Disabled Tax Freeze in 2005. A group of citizens petitioned for a tax rollback after a budget passed with a higher rate than they liked. Of course, the rollback lowered the frozen tax rate for these seniors.

This same group has put three council members and the mayor in office. Bean counting is constantly done, down to each bean. Keeping the tax rate low, or even lower seems to be mandated by this group.

Bedford is also going forward with red light cameras and, as of Sept 1, any car stopped or in an accident without proof of insurance will be towed. Be careful as you drive through!

[HairOfTheDog]

Okay, all well and good on that account.

But the idea of billing an insurance company per tool used in a crash is prime for overbilling and fraud. The city needs to come up with a levy that will pay for what they do, and sell it to their people.