June 1, 2026 – Dubuque, Iowa

The Dubuque City Council is set to revisit a significant public safety funding proposal at its regular meeting this evening: the Fire Cost Recovery Billing Ordinance. This item was postponed from the May 19 meeting to allow for revisions addressing council and community concerns. 

What the Ordinance Would Do

The proposed ordinance would establish a framework for the Dubuque Fire Department to bill insurance companies for costs associated with specific emergency responses. It builds on the department’s existing ambulance billing practices and aims to recover a portion of operational expenses from parties responsible for incidents, rather than relying solely on local taxpayers. 

Key services targeted for billing include:

•  Vehicle crashes and extrications

•  Vehicle fires

•  Structure fires (in some cases)

•  Hazardous materials responses

•  Special rescue operations

Billing would primarily target auto insurance, property insurance, or other liable parties’ coverage, following models already used successfully for ambulance services. Fire Chief Amy Scheller has emphasized that the city would not pursue “balance billing” residents for amounts not covered by insurance, and hardship provisions or waivers could apply. 

Background and Rationale

Dubuque firefighters responded to a record over 8,200 incidents in a recent year, reflecting growing demands for advanced services including technical rescues, hazardous materials mitigation, and emergency medical responses. Traditional property tax funding has struggled to keep pace with rising personnel, equipment, training, and operational costs. 

This initiative ties into earlier 2025 decisions to increase ambulance transport fees and add firefighter/paramedic positions. A third-party analysis suggested the fire cost recovery program could generate approximately $120,000 to $140,000 annually — potentially helping fund staffing needs without a direct property tax increase. 

City Manager Mike Van Milligen and Fire Chief Scheller have recommended approval, viewing it as a fairer way to align costs with those generating the calls while maintaining high service levels.

Revisions and Council Deliberation

At the May meeting, council members expressed reservations about potential impacts on residents and sought clearer language ensuring no direct billing of individuals when insurance is involved. The postponement allowed the city attorney’s office time to refine the ordinance. 

Tonight’s discussion may include:

•  Updated fee schedules (e.g., example ranges from earlier proposals: ~$520 for auto crash response, ~$605 for vehicle fire, higher for hazmat or complex rescues)

•  Implementation timeline (potentially 1–2 months after approval)

•  Administrative details, including the use of a third-party billing vendor (the city already solicited proposals earlier in 2026)

•  Protections for vulnerable residents and mutual aid scenarios

Broader Implications and Considerations

Potential Benefits:

•  Generates dedicated revenue for public safety amid inflation and increased call complexity.

•  Supports recruitment and retention of firefighter/paramedics.

•  Follows a growing national trend among municipalities to implement cost recovery for specialized emergency services.

•  Reduces pressure on the general fund, potentially freeing resources for other priorities like infrastructure or parks.

Concerns and Nuances:

•  Equity: While the intent is to avoid burdening residents directly, questions remain about uninsured or underinsured individuals, administrative costs, and whether insurance premiums could rise locally over time.

•  Public Perception: Some residents view it as “double taxation,” since property taxes already support the fire department. Others see it as responsible fiscal policy similar to user fees in other city services.

•  Edge Cases: How it handles city-owned property incidents, out-of-district mutual aid, or non-negligent emergencies (e.g., medical calls without transport).

•  Long-Term Effects: Success depends on collection rates, vendor performance, and integration with the FY2027 budget process.

Community Input: Public comment is a standard part of council meetings. Residents can attend in person at the Historic Federal Building (350 W. 6th Street) at 6:30 p.m., watch via CityChannel Dubuque or the city’s online streams, or contact council members in advance.