FOLEY, Ala. — The Foley City Council is considering cutting the alarm fees charged by the city in half.

Councilman Charlie Ebert suggested the alarm fees, which are currently $25 for a single-family residential fire alarm and $25 for a single-family residential burglary alarm. Ebert suggested the price be changed from $50 for both to a flat $25 fee if the alarm system monitored for both fire and burglary.

According to Ebert, most alarm systems monitor both fire and burglary, so charging for two different alarm systems may not be something the city wishes to continue doing.

The proposal will require an amendment to the city’s alarm permit ordinance. If the council opts to change the fee structure an amended bill will have to be sent out to residents because the renewals for this year have already gone out.

“I am suggesting that it just be a $25 flat fee,” said Ebert.

According to Police Chief David Wilson and Fire Chief Joseph Darby, the fee does not offset the cost of the departments responding to alarms and the ordinance has become slightly outdated.

 “If you read it, it is obvious that it was written in 1990, I am going to need to go in there and modernize it,” said Wilson.