By Liz Oakes
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FOREST PARK - Hoping to forestall a tax increase for its fire fund, the city is considering billing those responsible for highway accidents that require firefighters' assistance.

City Council on Monday will consider a resolution to have those in serious accidents that involve firefighters - such as spills or extrications - help foot the bill, said City Manager Ray Hodges.

According to Fire Chief Trish Brooks, of 112 such accidents in the city over the past 12 months, about 80 percent involved people who didn't live in Forest Park.

Brooks said about half of those 112 accidents were on Interstate 275.

If a truck from out of town spills its cargo on the interstate, "we may have the fire department tied up for half a day," Hodges said.

"Why should our residents have to pay for that specialized service?"

Money collected under the new billing program would go directly to the fire fund.

Forest Park passed a 4.75-mill fire levy in 2001. The city at the time projected that would be sufficient for five years.

But higher insurance premiums and rising county communications fees, among other costs, have eaten into the fund, city officials say.

Forest Park estimates revenue from tangible personal property tax - which applies to business inventory, equipment, furniture and fixtures - to decrease by $8,000 over four years from $291,000 this year.

For 2004, the city projects fire fund revenues of $3.68 million, with expenditures of $3.9 million.

"If you look at our budget projections and you go out a few years, it does say unless we do some things now, we would have to go out for a levy in the near future," Hodges said.

The fire department has been tightening its belt, Brooks said.

Last year, it postponed three hires, instead bringing them on board over nine months this year, she said.

Under the proposed resolution, insurance companies of drivers cited for causing a wreck could be billed from $435 to $2,100, depending on the accident's severity.

The city of Hamilton adopted a similar program three years ago.

Hodges emphasized that the billing would not include fender-benders in which the fire department arrives but does not need to get involved.

Police calls to an accident scene would not incur a charge, either, Hodges said.

Forest Park has been billing for emergency medical services such as life squad runs since 1992.

"This is just a prudent way for the fire department to recover its costs," he said.

E-mail loakes@enquirer.com