It could be costly for those found guilty of criminal or negligent activity in Atlas Township.
Earlier this year the township board approved an ordinance to establish cost-recovery charges for emergency services and provide a method for collection. The township will charge for police or fire emergencies, first responder services, hazardous-materials response, and police or fire standby in some instances.
According to the terms of the proposed ordinance, costs for services resulting from negligent acts of recipients may be authorized by the township supervisor and shall be calculated by a rate schedule.
No costs for services shall be collected where no negligence can be attributed to the recipient.
On Monday night the board added a definitive cost recovery (per hour) schedule which includes reimbursement for firefighter officer, $25; firefighters, $21; and sheriff deputies, $57. The fire department will also charge per hour for a pumper/tranker truck, $400; squad/rescue, $250; and grass/utility truck, $200.
The township fire department had collected on arson, downed power lines or if someone is burning without a permit. Their collections are about $1,500 per year. In addition, the township collects from ticket fees, towing, fines and forfeitures, and OUILs.
Those collections average less than $10,000 per year, say township officials.