(A) Background/purpose. This policy was written and implemented to establish appropriate guidelines for the efficient collection of service fees as established in Chapter 93 of this code.
(B) Policy. It is the policy of town that payment is due within 30 days of a fee being assessed.
(C) Procedure.
(1) The primary Fire Department responding to the fire alarm will be responsible for completing the ticket and assessing a fee.
(2) If, at the time of the response, the fee is unknown, this portion of the ticket will be left unchecked and the person completing the ticket shall write in the comment box "please contact the Town of Columbus Office for fee".
(3) The ticket may be left on scene with the occupants, and/or the owner, and/or the emergency contact. A signature will be collected from the person(s) accepting the ticket.
(4) If there is no one on scene to accept the ticket, it will be sent by certified mail to the building owner.
(5) A copy of the ticket will stay with the fire department completing the ticket. A third copy will be given to town.
(6) All payments made by check, must be made out to the Fire Department assessing the fee (name of department will be at the bottom of the ticket).
(7) All payments will be sent to:
Town of Columbus
Post Office Box 308
Columbus, NC 28722
(8) Registration fees will be paid to town.
(9) Fees paid for "failure to register a fire alarm" will be paid to town. This fee will then be divided in the following manner:
Fee | Paid To |
$50 or one-half of the fee | Will go to the Fire Department responsible for primary coverage |
$50 or one-half of the fee | Will go to the Chief's Association Fund |
(10) The town will be responsible for verifying fee assessed, collection of payment, distribution of payment to the proper Fire Department and collection action for unpaid fees and penalties.
(11) Any fee unpaid in excess of 90 days from the date fee is billed, will be collected in the same manner as unpaid taxes (refer to § 93.07 above).
(12) It will be the responsibility of the Town Council and the Fire Chief to make changes to this policy as needed.
(Ord. passed - -2007)