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Council plans changes to service fee collection

By CRAIG HOWELL 2 min read
Craig Howell COUNCIL — Members of the Weirton Finance Committee convened Wednesday morning to discuss several items set for consideration by the full city council next week. Holding discussions during the meeting were, from left, Councilmembers Terry Weigel, Fred Marsh and Enzo Fracasso, and Finance Director Diana Smoljanovich.

WEIRTON -- Weirton Council will be considering an amendment to the city's police and fire service fee, which would affect the way delinquent fees are collected.

The ordinance to amend and re-enact the police and fire service fees was recommended unanimously, Wednesday morning, by the city Finance Committee.

"The idea behind this amendment is to change the collection process," City Manager Mike Adams explained.

Adams noted current procedures have the city's Finance Department file suit through the county court systems in cases where the fee has become delinquent. Through his research, Adams said state code would allow the city instead to file a lien on the property in an effort to recoup the owed funds.

"If you read state code, you can file a lien first," Adams said, adding the ordinance must also include a process for the property owner to protest the lien application.

The city manager explained the process would only be used for those fees considered delinquent going forward, if the amendment is enacted, with the older procedures followed for previous delinquencies.

Adams further noted the majority of delinquencies involve businesses.

Members of the Finance Committee asked if businesses who are delinquent are still being issued their business licenses, noting an ordinance previously enacted by council.

"There are businesses out there that are religiously paying, and others who don't," Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh said.

Planning Director Jessica Gumm said staff has been working to make certain licenses are not issued under those situations, but Marsh and Ward 6 Councilman Enzo Fracasso both reported knowing of businesses still receiving a license. They said they would speak with Gumm following the meeting.

The proposed amendment is scheduled to go before the full city council for consideration at its next meeting, 7 p.m. Monday in the council chambers of the Weirton Municipal Building.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)

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