The City Council voted 5-4 against a League of Municipalities push for the state to draft a law establishing fees for students to pay for city police and fire services.

Councilman Michael Sottolano failed to get votes needed to introduce legislation backing the taxing of college students.

The resolution called for $100 for full-time students and $50 for part-time students to be paid in annual fees.

New Jersey City University, St. Peter’s College and Hudson County Community College are all tax-exempt, but use city services.

Resident Rolando Lavarro said the move would have hurt students. “Between tuition and the cost of books, they’re struggling teens who face a mountain of debt,” he said. “This will bleed students dry.”

John Melendez, president of student affairs at NJCU said taxing students is “misguided

NJCU president Carlos Hernandez said that 30 percent of students are residents. “NJCU is a stabilizing force in the community--culturally, intellectually and socially,” he added.

Councilmen Steven Fulop, Mariano Vega and David Donnelly and Councilwomen Viola Richardson and Nidia Lopez voted against the resolution.