Accident response fees are wrong
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Editor,
In 2009 I was a trustee on the Polson Rural Fire District Board.
At that time, we were given an informational booklet from a billing company named Fire Recovery USA. Included was a press release from the International Association of Fire Chiefs which announced their partnership with this company in a nationwide campaign to promote accident fees as way for fire departments to raise money.
The booklet portrayed the accident fees as a good deal for the fire districts as there was “absolutely no charge.” “We simply take a portion of what we collect as our fee.” They also discussed the objections that many local residents had raised.
In June 2009, these accident fees were debated and the majority argued against them. Now, the current Polson Fire District board has implemented these fees.
They say the potential of increased insurance rates is a “myth” and added “The lack of logic behind this statement should be apparent.” However the billing company states “it is possible a portion of the insurance companies increased costs will be spread to all policy holders.”
When taxpayers complained the fees were double taxation the current trustees also called that a “myth,” reporting that the property taxes only pay for fire protection. Yet the billing company appears to agree with the taxpayers as they recommend only billing non-resident drivers and thus “this program is not double taxation.” (As long as I can remember, the rural fire district taxes did pay for the accident response services.)
I agree with many other taxpayers that these accident fees are wrong. Our fire department does not need the money, and the statements by the Polson Rural Fire District supporting the fees contradict even the billing company promoting the program.
Many towns across the nation have canceled these fees and ten states have prohibited them entirely. Huntington Beach, Calif., has recently reversed their decision saying it could “tarnish the city’s reputation as a tourist-friendly spot and could negatively affect those who work in the city.” The fees may bring additional money to the fire department for new equipment etc. but it comes as the expense of local taxpayers and businesses. For more information please call (406) 319-6102.
Alison Meslin
Big Arm
