LOS ALAMITOS : Fire Service Fees Get Preliminary OK

False alarms, fire inspection permits and other fire-related services would carry a price in Los Alamitos under an ordinance given preliminary approval by the City Council last week.

Los Alamitos is one of 14 cities that contracts with the Orange County Fire Department for fire services.

Each of the cities was asked to pass an ordinance similar to the one approved by the Board of Supervisors in July that set fees for extra duties performed by the Fire Department.

The county cited the increasing costs of providing fire services as the reason for the new fees.

However, enactment of the new fees was postponed from January to July 1 after several cities requested a delay to study whether the fees were fair and necessary.

The City Council is expected to give final approval to the ordinance on June 10. With that approval, the county would then have authority to collect the fees for services performed within the city.

The City Council was told that only businesses or residents who apply for new building permits or request more than routine fire-related services will have to pay a fee.

Fees ranging from $105 to $518 will be charged for false alarms to which the Fire Department responds, according to City Manager Robert C. Dunek.

The fee is dependent upon whether the alarm was set off intentionally as well as how often the same alarm goes off.

Fire inspections and plan checks for new commercial and industrial buildings will cost $358, Dunek said.

He added that new residential buildings will be exempt from the inspection fees.

Those requesting the Fire Department’s help for standby fire watches and site inspections for special events will also be charged a fee.

Los Alamitos’ share of the new fees is expected to generate $72,000 for the county in fiscal year 1991-92, according to Dunek.