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Show Proposed fire ordinance faces enforcement snag needs administrative and legal support sup-port to work." Davis County Commissioner Robert Rose said it may be feasible for the district to hire an attorney to proceed with the collections, thus avoiding any complications be- B negligence that could be billed and collected should not be very high. In the 129 total calls received by the district last month, Argyle said none would fall into the category of gross negligence. "I would hope we would never "The district has no legal counsel to handle this." By SCOTT SUMMERILL BOUNTIFUL A revised edition of a proposed fire ordinance from the South Davis Fire District (SDFD) will be presented to the district's member cities for further input If all cities decide to adopt the ordinance, residents of North Salt Lake, Woods Cross, West Bountiful, Centerville and the unincorporated unin-corporated areas served by the district found to have caused fires through gross negligence could be billed for damage, equipment and man-hour costs. The biggest obstacle facing the ordinance, if adopted, appears to be enforcement. West Bountiful Mayor Carl Johnson told the district board of directors di-rectors during the Sept 24 meeting that the ordinance must allow for enforcement or it shouldn't be passed. pass-ed. ' ' The di strict has no leg al counsel to handle this," he said. "The collections would ultimately fall on the cities if the district couldn't collect." Johnson pointed out that any litigation handled by the cities would have to be put on the city budget as an additional line item. Plus, since the cost of collection would fall on the cities, Johnson asked if the district would reimburse reim-burse the costs. "This must be more than just a legislative action," he said. "It money that are lost to someone who just doesn't care." Argyle said the ordinance would not penalize victims of accidental fires. But, those caused by arson or other illegal activities should fall subject to repayment "What about the guy who sets off illegal fireworks and bums down his neighbor's house?" Argyle asked. "Should he be allowed to just walk away?" "We're just trying to recover some of our expenses," said North Salt Lake Mayor Jake Simmons. One of the problems brought out by the city councils was the vague description of what constitutes gross negligence. However, Rose indicated that he and Assistant County Attorney Jerry Hess had clarified the definition since the original draft was presented to the cities. "It doesn't mean the woman who is cooking and has a grease tire start," he said. "But, the man cleaning parts in his garage with gasoline while he has an open flame heater going is being negligent For the most part, anything that is illegal il-legal will probably be considered gross negligence." Suggestions and changes from the various city councils that are deemed valid will be incorporated into the document and presented for final board, and city council approval ap-proval next month. tween the cities and the district "An attorney may find this to be very lucrative," he told the board. ' 'Even if they only collect on half the cases." SDFD Chief Brent Argyle said the number of cases involving gross have to use this," Argyle said. "My concern is that the cities have put a lot of money into this district, and we should try to recoup some of the city's assets from somebody who negligently creates problems. There could be a lot of man-hours and 1 |