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WEIRTON -- Weirton residents soon may have to pay more for the costs of their police and fire services.
Weirton Council will be presented with an ordinance Monday to amend and re-enact the city's police and fire service fee. The proposed ordinance was discussed, and recommended, by the city's Finance Committee during its meeting Wednesday.
According to Ward 4 Councilman George Ash, who is one of the sponsors of the ordinance, the current proposal would increase the residential fee to $65 annually in the first year and $75 in the second year.
The residential police and fire service fee currently is set at $50 per year.
"That's going to help us with some of the issues we have in the city," Ash said.
Ash stated there would be no increase to the business portion of the fee structure as part of the proposal.
Ward 1 Councilman Tim Connell and Ward 6 Councilman Enzo Fracasso also are sponsors of the ordinance.
Ward 7 Councilman Terry Weigel expressed support for the move Wednesday, despite it meaning additional costs to residents.
"I'm always reluctant about raising any fees or taxes," Weigel said, noting, however, the police and fire service fee was instituted in July 2000 and has seen no increase since then.
If the city were to have adjusted the fee for inflation, Weigel estimated it would have been higher than the proposed new rates.
The increase, if approved, would become effective July 1.
Other items before the Finance Committee Wednesday included:
¯ A resolution to purchase one used 2011 Freightliner Aqua-tech Jetter/Vac Truck for the Street Department at $175,000.
¯ A resolution to purchase one Envirosight push-in line camera and line locator for the Street Department at $11,000.
¯ A resolution to purchase one Steel Slip-in Style Premix Heater for the Street Department at $29,251.
¯ A resolution to contract with Stryker Medical to purchase two Lifepak 15 V4 Monitor/Defib units with onsite procare service agreements for the Weirton Fire Department at $69,786.60.
¯ A resolution to place liens against real properties for the costs of demolition of unsafe properties
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)