(1) Mitigation rates shall be based on the actual costs of the services and that which is usual, customary and reasonable (UCR) as shown in §§ 33.076 through 33.087 of this chapter, which may include any services, personnel, supplies and equipment and with baselines established by addendum to this subchapter.
(2) A claim shall be filed to the responsible party or parties through their insurance carrier. In some circumstances, the responsible party or parties will be billed directly.
(3) The Fire Department may make rules or regulations, and from time to time may amend, revoke or add rules and regulations, not consistent with this subchapter as it may deem necessary or expedient in respect to billing for these mitigation rates or the collection thereof.
(4) The mitigation rates listed in §§ 33.076 through 33.087 of this chapter will increase by 5.9% annually or based on the annual percentage increase in the consumer price index (CPI), as developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, whichever is more. Rate adjustments will occur on July 1 of every year beginning in the year 2023 to keep the Fire Department’s cost recovery program in conformity with increasing operating expenses.
(B) Mitigation rates based on per hour. The mitigation rates in §§ 33.076 through 33.087 of this chapter are average “billing levels” and are typical for the incident responses listed; however, when a claim is submitted, it will be itemized and based on the actual services provided. These rates are based on actual costs using amortized schedules for apparatus (including useful life, equipment, repairs and maintenance). Labor rates include an average department’s actual burdened labor costs and not just a firefighter’s wage. These include wages, retirement, benefits, workers’ compensation and the like.
(Prior Code, § 13-222) (Ord. 2022-05, passed 4-14-2022)