IMLAY CITY — The City of Imlay City and Imlay Township have entered into a new contract to provide fire protection to township residents.
The three-year agreement was unanimously (6-0) approved by city commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 17, and will take effect Jan. 1, 2020, and runs through Dec. 31, 2022.
At the end of the three-year period, the contract will automatically renew each year for another one-year period.
However, either party can terminate the agreement at any time, pending a 180-day notice in writing.
Under the terms of the agreement, Imlay Township will compensate the City of Imlay City $63,000 for the first year; $65,000 during the second year; and $67,000 in the third year of service.
Payments to the City from the Township will be made quarterly and in equal amounts.
The contract also stipulates that the Township be provided compensation in instances of false alarms resulting in a response by Imlay City firefighters.
Additionally, the city will continue to issue burn permits to Township residents at no cost.
City Manager Tom Youatt said the contract reflects about a 21-percent cost increase for the township.
The 24-hour “standby” service covers up to 30 calls, not to include officer-only calls, which will be billed separately and at a rate of $275 per call.
Additional calls beyond the 30 allowable (not including officer-only calls) will be billed at the following rates:
• $1,150 per fire run.
• $875 for rescue run.
• $275 per officer-only run.
Responses requiring DTE Energy involvement will be billed as time and materials and not be counted against the 30 allowable calls.
In such cases, the City will invoice the Township separately, whose responsibility it will be to collect from Detroit Edison.
Commissioner Stu Davis, who voted in favor of the contract, said the agreement does not address the City’s significant cost for purchasing new equipment for the fire department; a cost Davis believes should be shared in part by Township residents.
Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
