(A) The principal purpose of this subchapter is to safeguard, facilitate and encourage the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens and businesses of the city. The City Council also finds that a continuous and consistent fire protection and emergency medical response program provides a multitude of economic and social benefits to the public, including, but not limited to:
(1) Reduction in the incidence of fire;
(2) Improved response to fire and other disaster situations;
(3) Enhanced protection of property;
(4) Promotion of business and industry;
(5) Promotion of community spirit and growth; and
(6) Promotion of the health and safety of city residents.
(B) It is the intent of this subchapter to provide a funding mechanism to help pay for the benefits conferred on city residents and businesses by the provision of an adequately funded Fire Department for fire safety and emergency medical response, and further to help bring the Fire Department up to acceptable service levels and keep it there.
(C) The structure of this subchapter is intended to be a public fire and safety surcharge for Fire Department service within the city limits. In the event that the collected surcharge revenues are insufficient to properly operate the Fire Department, additional funding may be allocated by the City Council from other non-dedicated city funds provided, however, the City Council may direct the reimbursement to such other non-dedicated city funds if additional public fire and safety surcharge revenues are collected.
(Ord. 546, passed 12-8-2014; Ord. 547, passed 4-13-2015)