posted on Monday, February 23, 2009 2:15 PM
by
klehan
Dana Point, CA, to Discuss Increase in False-Alarm Fees
The Dana Point,
CA, City Council will discuss an ordinance change that would raise the city's false-alarm fee to $85.
Monday's council meeting will include the proposal to modify the false-alarm ordinance to match the fee adopted by the Orange County Board of Supervisors in December. Currently, city law provides a fee of $56 for false-alarm responses, the amount originally established by the county in 1991.
City law allows for two free responses for unintentional false alarms per calendar year, with third and subsequent false alarms bringing a fee determined by the city. False alarms caused by severe weather, wind or power outages are not considered billable, according to city staff.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department halted collection of false-alarm fees from Dana Point businesses and homeowners with security systems in October, when it was discovered that the $64 fee being collected did not match the city's law of $56. City law had not been changed from the 1991 ordinance establishing the $56 fee.
City staff reports cite an administrative oversight at the Sheriff's Department for the incorrect fee collection.
"The intent of the program is not to discourage citizens from using alarm systems but to encourage responsible use. Timely response to reported emergencies is one of the most valuable services provided by the Sheriff's Department," the staff report to council members states.