May 18, 2026 — The Dubuque City Council is expected to vote on a Fire Cost Recovery ordinance recommended by City Manager Michael Van Milligen and Fire Chief Amy Scheller. The proposal would allow the city to bill for specific fire department responses, including vehicle crashes, car fires, hazardous material incidents, and special rescues.

Purpose and Background

The Dubuque Fire Department provides both fire suppression and ambulance services. Officials say current fees, unchanged for over a decade, no longer cover rising costs of personnel, equipment, fuel, and specialized tools. The new fees aim to recover direct costs and help fund five additional firefighter-paramedic positions without broad property tax increases.

This follows the City Council’s December 2025 approval of ambulance rate hikes (effective January 2026) and a shift toward user-fee funding for certain public safety services. The changes are projected to generate revenue to support staffing improvements.

Proposed Fees

Billing would apply to:

•  Vehicle accidents (including extrication)

•  Vehicle fires

•  Hazardous conditions or cleanups

•  Special rescue operations

Fees are typically billed per incident and often submitted to insurance companies rather than individuals directly. Exact rates will be set by the ordinance.

Potential Impacts

Benefits: Generates dedicated revenue, improves response capabilities, and follows a “user pays” model common in other cities. Many costs are already factored into auto insurance premiums.

Concerns: Residents worry about surprise bills after crashes, especially for those not at fault or without adequate insurance. There are questions about potential hesitation to call for help and administrative costs of collections. Officials may include waiver or hardship provisions.

Next Steps

The City Council will discuss and vote on the ordinance at its May 18, 2026 meeting. Public comment is welcome. Agendas and documents are available on the City of Dubuque website.

This proposal reflects broader challenges facing mid-sized cities: balancing quality emergency services with budget pressures and taxpayer concerns.