MONROE - Gas prices and wage increases again have forced Monroe Fire Department rates up for townships it serves.
The rate for the first hour for a township response will remain at $175. But subsequent hours now will be charged at $125 an hour, an increase of $25 over last year.
Rates have gone up an average of 5 percent for township inspections and 3 percent for hourly wages for firefighters on-duty for township fires.
Fuel costs are the main reason for the increase in costs for responses, according to Monroe Fire Chief Daryl Rausch.
Fuel costs for the department have more than tripled in the past three years. In 2004, fuel costs were around $6,000; last year it was $20,000, Rausch said.
The hourly rate increase for firefighters is based on the wage agreement the city makes with city employees. Last year, firefighters' wages were increased 2.75 percent.
Inspection rate increases are a combination of both vehicle expenses and wage increases, Rausch said.
The Monroe City Council passed a resolution May 6 which allows township billing rates to increase retroactive to Jan. 1.
The last time rates were raised was in 2007. At that time, the first hour for incident response was raised from $150 to $175, while subsequent hours remained at $100.
The department budgeted $40,000 for township fires responses, inspections, and hazardous incidents for 2008. Last year the department brought in $45,000, which was higher than the average $30,000, Rausch said. The department's total budget is $584,800 for 2008.
The rate for the first hour for a township response will remain at $175. But subsequent hours now will be charged at $125 an hour, an increase of $25 over last year.
Rates have gone up an average of 5 percent for township inspections and 3 percent for hourly wages for firefighters on-duty for township fires.
Fuel costs are the main reason for the increase in costs for responses, according to Monroe Fire Chief Daryl Rausch.
Fuel costs for the department have more than tripled in the past three years. In 2004, fuel costs were around $6,000; last year it was $20,000, Rausch said.
The hourly rate increase for firefighters is based on the wage agreement the city makes with city employees. Last year, firefighters' wages were increased 2.75 percent.
Inspection rate increases are a combination of both vehicle expenses and wage increases, Rausch said.
The Monroe City Council passed a resolution May 6 which allows township billing rates to increase retroactive to Jan. 1.
The last time rates were raised was in 2007. At that time, the first hour for incident response was raised from $150 to $175, while subsequent hours remained at $100.
The department budgeted $40,000 for township fires responses, inspections, and hazardous incidents for 2008. Last year the department brought in $45,000, which was higher than the average $30,000, Rausch said. The department's total budget is $584,800 for 2008.