Council discusses hikes in fees

he City Council Monday discussed hiking fees for ambulance service, burglar alarm responses and other services provided to the public by the police and fire departments as it looks for ways to cover a $212 million budget shortfall. Daily News.

A working group headed by Councilman Greig Smith that included union leaders came up with a report outlining savings or new revenue totaling $3.5million this year and $23 million next year, when the budget is expected to more than triple to nearly $700million.

"I know we are trying to run the city more like a business, but this is a service we provide," Councilman Tom LaBonge said at one point during lengthy debate over increasing fees for services.