(A) Parties requesting and receiving emergency service may be billed directly by the city. Additionally, if the party receiving emergency service did not request service, but a fire or other situation exists which, at the discretion of the Fire Department personnel in charge, requires emergency service, the party will be charged and billed. All parties will be billed whether or not the emergency service is covered by insurance. Any billable amount of the emergency charge not covered by a party’s insurance remains a debt of the party receiving the emergency service.
(B) Parties billed for emergency service will have 30 days to pay. If the emergency service charge is not paid by that time, it will be considered delinquent and the city will send a notice of delinquency.
(C) If the emergency service charge remains unpaid for 30 days after this notice of delinquency is sent, the city will use all practical and reasonable legal means to collect the emergency service charge. The party receiving emergency service shall be liable for all collection costs incurred by the city including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney fees and court costs.
(D) If the emergency service charge remains unpaid for 30 days after the notice of delinquency is sent, the City Council may also, on or before October 15 of each year, certify the unpaid emergency service charge to the County Auditor for collection with property taxes. The city must give the property owner notice of its intent to certify the unpaid emergency service charge by September 15.
(Ord. 312, passed 8-1-2005)