ONGOING TALKS — Members of the Weirton Finance Committee, from left, Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead, Ward 1 Councilman Tim Connell, and Ward 6 Councilman Anthony Rocchio, met in regular session Friday, recommending a series of agenda items to be taken up by Weirton Council at its meeting Monday. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON – A proposal which could see the hiring of six new firefighters and the reopening of the County Road Fire Station will be moving to Weirton Council for its consideration, but not without debate and the possibility raised of another delay.

The matter was among those discussed, and recommended, by the city’s Finance Committee Friday, although not by a unanimous vote.

Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead said, while he supports the city’s firefighters and agrees there is a need to hire the additional personnel and reopen the station, he has concerns about the funding plan proposed to support the move, which he said would see the city dip into its Rainy Day Fund in an effort to get the firefighters on board more quickly.

Stead says he feels it may be a better plan to hold off on the resolution – sponsored by Councilmembers Tim Connell, Brittany Holloway, and Anthony Rocchio – until April, when the city’s budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year has been finalized and more details can be worked out about how to financially support the effort.

“We must develop a dedicated stream of revenue,” Stead said. “We need to make certain we’re in a position to absorb these costs.”

Finance Director Diana Smoljanovich noted there already are going to have to be adjustments eyed when planning the next fiscal budget, pointing to the increase of close to 18 percent in health insurance costs and anticipated funding needs for the Parks Department and other proposed projects.

City officials, during a workshop in December, said one option may be to increase the $2 per week municipal service fee.

“The revenue stream already exists,” said City Manager Mike Adams. “It’s a matter of increasing it a little bit.”

The service fee was established in 2004, with plans for it to assist in funding street paving in the city. The fee assesses $2 per week from the paychecks of all individuals working within the city limits.

Stead said the funds need to be enacted first, expressing concern about the possibility of hiring the firefighters and then having to let them go after only a few months. He said the Rainy Day Fund, which currently sits at approximately $6 million, should be used for emergency situations – pointing to ongoing financial issues within Hancock County Schools and the collapse of the Washington Avenue Bridge in Wheeling as examples.

Connell also said the Rainy Day Fund shouldn’t be relied on heavily, and the focus should be on making certain the city’s emergency service personnel are safe.

“We’ve been blessed, so far, no one has gotten hurt,” he said.

Rocchio, though, indicated he feels the measure needs to move forward now, believing Smoljanovich will be able to find the necessary funds to support the hiring and operations of the station.

“She can work it out,” Rocchio said. “It seems like the city has money for everything else.”

Fire Chief Kevin Himmelrick also was asked about whether the federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program could be of assistance.

The grant program is a temporary funding source to support the hiring of firefighters, providing dollars for a period of typically three years. The allotments are reduced each year until the grantee has to fully support the staffing.

Himmelrick, though, said the grant has been attempted in the past, claiming the city’s emergency fund has been an obstacle.

“We’ve tried five times, I believe,” Himmelrick said. “When they look at our Rainy Day Fund, they don’t even look at our application.”

Mayor Dean Harris, who was attending Friday’s meeting, said he plans to call another work session in the coming weeks to further discuss the issue, and include a more detailed financial picture on what is needed.