The Manitou Springs City Council on Tuesday explored the possibility of expanding its billing for emergency services that previously went without reimbursement.

Currently, the fire department bills through liability insurance to cover costs for services such as ambulance rides. Some of the city’s 30 to 40 traffic accidents per year involve more specialized equipment that is not covered by liability, said Fire Chief Keith Buckmiller. Those situations include hazmat scenes and crashes that require extrication.

He said recent accident scenes, like a car wedged against a tree after falling in a canyon, would be applicable, as would the potential hazmat concerns of an RV fire.

“Historically, we’ve been doing it for free,” he said.

The proposed ordinance would allow the city’s fire department to bill through both liability and collision insurance. The possible fee schedule would include insurance billing for incidents like car fires and clearing space for evacuations by helicopter.

At the lowest end of the fee schedule would be hazardous materials assessment and scene stabilization, which “occurs almost every time” the fire department is called out, according to the city’s documents. A possible estimate for that service is $584.

Buckmiller said that the possibility of billing through collision insurance came up several months ago as a way to recoup additional costs. According to the city’s memorandum, demand for services increases annually in Manitou Springs while expenses related to environmental protection requirements and Homeland Security regulations are on the rise.

The cost of the city’s in-house ambulance service, created three years ago, has factored into discussions about Manitou Springs’ ongoing efforts to achieve financial stability after a substantial loss of marijuana sales tax revenue last year.

Councilman Nate Nassif said he was concerned about billing costs making their way past insurance companies.

“My concern would be some of these costs would be going to the residents,” he said.

Buckmiller said that insurance companies have a “pot of money” to use on collision claims and would not be passing along the bill.

The new ordinance would not cover the fire department’s calls to the Manitou Incline, which often require coordination with El Paso County Search and Rescue. Buckmiller said that Manitou Springs has an understanding with Colorado Springs to provide services to the incline for free in exchange for help in other calls.

“We kind of have a trade-off with Colorado Springs,” he said.

The Manitou Springs will next consider the ordinance at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20.