Naperville may charge for some fire department services

Looking for new revenue sources, Naperville City Council members are considering charging for some fire department services.

Finance and fire department staff presented a proposal during Tuesday’s budget workshop that would include charging for special services performed by the fire department. Those services being studied include motor vehicle accidents, hazmat cleanup, power line incidents, vehicle fires, special rescue, and after-incidents. In most cases the charges are recoverable through the property or

automobile insurance policy, officials said.

Such “user fees” would lesson the overall burden on taxpayers, said Finance Director Karen DeAngelis.

“This is more about charging for personnel and resources being used,” Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis said. “When we respond to an incident, we are using resources that are then unavailable to other residents.”

Some council members balked at the idea of adding more fees but agreed to let the departments continue studying the proposal.

“What’s next? Are we going to start charging for police calls?” council member Doug Krause asked. “Then are we going to start charing the fire department for water?”

Also included in the plan, and even less popular than the specialized service fees, was giving officials the ability to add fees for fire inspections.

DeAngelis will provide the council with more information on the proposal at upcoming budget meetings, the next of which is scheduled for Oct. 24.