Fire dues raise questions

— The phone at the fire station is ringing, but it’s not to report a fire.

Statements for fire dues were sent to some addresses in error.

Several people erroneously received bills for Pea Ridge Volunteer Fire Department dues and were calling to question their bills.

Fire Chief Frank Rizzio said some bills were sent to parcels that have no buildings and to addresses which are on city water.

For example, a city resident who has farm land received a bill for each of his parcels, although no building sits on the land.

“We’ve taken care of their concerns,” Rizzio said, adding that he welcomes calls from anyone questioning their bill.

Every property owner in the fire department’s district - both inside and outside the city limits - is charged $48 a year for dues.

Persons on the city’s water service, are charged $2 a month and should not receive a separate bill.

If firefighters are called to extinguish a fire on a structure on which the annual dues have not been paid, the property owner will be billed for the service.

“We’ve had a real good response,” Rizzio said of the volunteer dues.

In the past, the bills were prepared by city employees at City Hall, but Rizzio said a different entity was used and addresses were provided from the tax records. Rizzio said that anyone receiving a bill who believes it is in error should call the Fire Department at 451-1111 during the day.

News, Pages 1 on 01/19/2011