Toledo City Council defeats mayor's fire fee proposal

5/26/2009

Toledo City Council members voted 2-10 Tuesday night against approving Mayor Carty Finkbeiner's plan to bill homeowners' fire insurance policies for calls

a measure council also failed to pass last month.

Council members Mark Sobczak and Wilma Brown were the only two council members voting in favor of the proposed fee.

In April, council voted 6-4 to implement the fee, which would be expected to generate $500,000 through the end of 2009. It failed because approval required seven votes.

Mr. Sobczak said after that April vote that some dissenting members are willing to reverse their votes.

At issue for many is uncertainty if the city would attempt to bill homeowners who don't have fire insurance.