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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The Bloomfield City Council is proposing a plan to start charging for certain services that the fire department provides.

The proposal would charge for calls such as HAZ-MATsituations and call-out services. Currently, two other communities in southeast Iowa, Centerville and Ottumwa, already charge for these services.

KTVO spoke with Bloomfield Mayor Chris Miller about the charges, and where the money would go after it is collected.

“These are charges that would go to the individual’s insurance company. For most people, their insurance policy would allow for these clean-ups and call-out services that we are proposing to bill. By no means does the city want to become a collection agency and go after anyone that doesn’t have the means to pay,” said Miller.

The money that is collected would go directly back to the Bloomfield Fire Department.

“What this money is going for, this money will go into the general fund. It will help pay for things like firefighter training, equipment and vehicles for the fire department,” said Miller.

KTVO will continue to follow this story and let you know what the city council decides.