Craig Howell FEE INCREASE DISCUSSED – Members of the Weirton Finance Committee, Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead, left, and Ward 6 Councilman Anthony Rocchio, as well as City Manager Mike Adams, discussed various items of business Friday, before recommending them to the full Weirton Council.

WEIRTON – Weirton Council is considering an increase to the city’s Municipal Service Fee, with an eye toward funding additional staffing for the Weirton Fire Department.

Council will be presented with an ordinance Monday to “amend and re-enact a Weirton Municipal Service Fee.” The ordinance, which must be approved by two readings, has been sponsored by Ward 1 Councilman Tim Connell and Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead.

The Weirton Municipal Service Fee originally was enacted in March 2004, assessing $2 per week from the pay of any individual employed within the boundaries of the City of Weirton. According to a draft copy of the ordinance, officials propose to increase the fee from $2 per week to $5 per week.

The ordinance was recommended to council Friday by members of the Weirton Finance Committee, who offered no discussion on the matter during the meeting.

In a related matter, Council also is set to consider a new resolution authorizing the hiring of six new firefighters and the reopening of the County Road Fire Station.

The idea was presented as a resolution to council in January, but tabled pending new information. Much of that information was presented Jan. 22 as part of a workshop session between councilmembers and representatives of the Weirton IAFF Local 948.

Lt. Mike Serafine, president of Local 948, explained, through the opening of the County Road station, the city would be divided into three response districts, with the new District 3 to include the areas of Weircrest, Harris Hills, Kings Creek Bowl, Owings Addition, Terrace Heights, portions of Weir Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue up to North 15th Street, as well as providing fire protection for Form Energy, Bidell Gas Compression, and much of the Cleveland Cliffs and Frontier Group properties.

“All of them are within one minute of County Road,” Serafine said during the January workshop.

The resolution to go before council Monday notes “increased staffing levels is expected to positively impact response times, scene safety, firefighter fatigue, and the City’s ability to provide emergency services; and…the reopening of the County Road Fire Station is expected to improve emergency response coverage, reduce response times, and enhance firefighter and public safety within the City.”

Fire Chief Kevin Himmelrick has estimated a cost of $600,000 per year for the hiring of the six new firefighters.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)