South Carolina Bureau Chief
AIKEN --- A volunteer fire department in Aiken County is backing off plans to increase fees charged to businesses, which could have nearly quadrupled one apartment complex's annual bill.
After business owners complained to the county about the fees pitched by the Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department, the fire chief met with them and reached a compromise.
Chief Mike Toole said meeting with the business owners Thursday allowed them to clear the air.
"It was an excellent meeting, something we probably should have done a long time ago," he said.
The Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department had wanted to increase the fees that cover its budget, largely because of rising fuel costs.
But the agency's desire for higher fees fueled complaints that it was asking for too much.
Dennis Carter, who owns an insulation company in Clearwater, complained to council members at their last meeting about the fees. And the Clearwater Village Apartments complex complained its bill would go from $5,600 to $22,000.
Even council members, who would have to OK those fees, questioned whether the increase was a good idea.
Chief Toole said at the time that the fees were designed to add needed vehicles, help the department get a better insurance rating and pay for increasing fuel costs.
The department, he told council members, was $42,000 in the red.
New Ellenton has heard complaints over its proposed increases in fire fees, some of which would triple, because some homes could be charged as much as $275, up from $80.
Under Clearwater's initial proposal, residential fees would have gone up $6, but the department wanted to change many of the other fees it charges -- not just in the amount, but how they're calculated.
One of the biggest changes was how apartment complexes are charged, going from a flat fee of $5,000 for complexes with more than 50 units to a certain amount per unit, with multistory buildings charged more. Commercial buildings would have paid more depending on the hazardous materials present.
They've changed those fees, Chief Toole said.
That apartment complex will now pay about $10,000 in fire fees under the new plan, which Chief Toole said he hopes to have submitted to the county by this afternoon.
He said to trim the budget, the department will try to get grants to pay for needed upgrades.
Reducing the fees, Chief Toole added, will not impair the department's ability to respond to emergencies.
But the dustup, he said, proves he should keep in touch with business owners better.
Reach Sandi Martin at (803) 648-1395, ext. 111, or sandi.martin@augustachronicle.com
