Richmond Hill Fire Fee Class Action Settlement
City of Richmond Hill · Flat-rate fire fee · Ongoing Litigation
About this case
The class action alleges that fire protection fees collected by Richmond Hill should have been classified as taxes, and proposes refunds for eligible property owners who paid the fees from November 7, 2018, through the date of final court approval. The proposed settlement is awaiting approval by the Superior Court.
Case overview
- Defendant company
- City of Richmond Hill
- Product or service
- Flat-rate fire fee
- Court case number
- SUV2023000398
- Case status
- Ongoing Litigation
- Lawsuit type
- Consumer
- Reported harm
- Billing Fees
Participation information
Settlement Claim
Generally, eligible class members are current or former Richmond Hill, Georgia taxpayers who were assessed and paid the City’s fire fee from 2018-11-07 through the date of final settlement approval. Exclusions include certain attorneys or law firms involved in similar municipal fee litigation, current Richmond Hill City Council members, and the Mayor.
Current property owners do not need to file a claim; refunds are to be processed automatically. Former property owners will receive a claim form at their current or last known address and must complete and return it as instructed. The official materials also provide a process for taxpayers who believe they were omitted from the class list.
- Type
- Settlement Claim
- Total settlement amount
- $5,000,000
- Payout
- Eligible class members receive a pro rata cash refund based on the fire fees they paid during the refund period, from the $5,000,000.00 aggregate refund fund, subject to court-approved attorneys’ fees, expenses, administration costs, and other deductions. Current property owners receive refunds automatically; former property owners must complete and return a claim form after receiving it.
- Reported proof requirement
- Unclear
Fire Protection Fee Settlement Refunds
Property owners who paid Richmond Hill fire protection fees between November 7, 2018, and the date of final court approval may be eligible, subject to the proposed settlement and court approval.
The article states that more details will be provided after court approval; it does not specify how to submit a claim.
- Type
- Settlement Claim
- Total settlement amount
- $5,000,000
- Payout
- Refunds would be reduced by attorney and administrative fees.
- Reported proof requirement
- Unclear
Sources
- Richmond Hill Fire Fee Class Action Settlement
Savannah Morning News ·
- Richmond Hill Fire Protection Fee Settlement
WSAV News 3 ·