Duluth considers fees for police, fire response
by The Associated Press

DULUTH -- Car accidents and house fires may soon cost Duluth residents more.

Duluth city administrators are considering charging property owners and drivers fees for police and fire responses.

City spokesman Jeff Papas says the amount of the fee hasn't been set yet.

If the Duluth City Council agrees to charge fees, it would then set an amount. The council could vote July 28.

Papas says the city is looking into whether it can charge different fees for residents and nonresidents. If so, fire and vehicle extraction fees would apply to everyone, but only nonresidents would pay to have accidents investigated.

Papas says the fees could bring in an extra $100,000 per year for the city facing a $4.5 million deficit.

He says the plan is modeled on a similar ordinance in Burnsville.