CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- Chula Vista’s fire chief was hoping to follow Oceanside, San Miguel, and National City by charging drivers who cause accidents a fee, called a crash tax.

A group of Chula Vistans, banded together and fought against the tax. They were convinced the council would pass it, but what they had to say made a huge impact on the final decision.

“I can’t figure out whether this is the most evil or the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of,” said Steve Pavka, who is a retired Chula Vista teacher.

He told city leaders exactly what he thought about the plan to charge drivers who cause accidents a fee.

“It’s going to come down to my pocketbook that you’re doing,” said Pavka. “If that’s not evil, maybe I don’t know what the word is.”

The fire chief proposed charging a cleanup fee ranging from $435 to $2,100 because his department needs new fire equipment. But those figures did not sit well with some residents or city leaders.

“City employees in Chula Vista are still not contributing to their generous pension plan,” said Jo Ann Golden, a member of the Chula Vista Taxpayers Association. “If they had contributed their full 8 to 9 percent in 2009 it would have saved the city over $7 million.”

Some city leaders agree, including Chula Vista’s mayor.

“I could basically never get into an accident but be affected by higher insurance rates,” said Steve Castaneda, a member of the Chula Vista City Council.

“It’s not ready for primetime,” said Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox. “I’m not supporting this tonight.”

City Council decided they needed to hear directly from the insurance industry if the crash tax, as it’s called, would eventually raise everyone’s premiums.

The issue comes back before the council next month.