Increased fees coming to Weston (West Virginia) residents, building owners

Beginning July 1, City Finance Director Joe Solberg said city residents, non-owner occupied residential units, non-residential unit owners (commercial and industrial properties) and owners of vacant lots will all pay more in municipal fees and with the new first-due fire fees.

“The last time municipal fees were adjusted was in 2009. The rate of inflation since then has been about 50 percent, so this is about a 50 cent increase in those rates,” he said.

About 40 local residents attended a public hearing at West Hall before the council voted to clarify points in the new fee structure and to address their stance. The half-dozen taxpayers who spoke were opposed to the increased fees.

“You’re slowly driving everyone out of this county. Nobody wants to be in this county because of the taxes, fees and every other fee imposed,” resident Jesse Prunty said. “It’s ridiculous. You can’t keep bleeding everybody dry, and that’s exactly what you’re doing.”

A handful of residents also advocated for lower fee increases due to rising inflation levels, median income levels or fixed incomes.

“I think there should be a cut-off age where they don’t have to pay those fees within city limits,” resident Connie Riffle said.

About $285,000 was raised during the past budget year from municipal fees. At 100 percent collection rate, the new fees would drive revenue to about $900,000.

“City administration has worked very hard to try and find the fairest way possible to continue these critical services,” City Manager Nate Stansberry said. “Between the City of Weston’s firefighters and volunteers, we respond to almost 1,300 calls per year. We’re talking about a fire department that carries a huge amount of responsibility within our county.

“Our goal is to hire four additional firefighters during the next two or three years. There would then be at least two per shift to combine with volunteers when there are incidents.”

Volunteer firefighters coincidentally left during the meeting to assist Pricetown Volunteer Fire Department due to a brush fire.

Fire Chief Jimmy Suttle has also applied for three years of grant funds that would pay toward firefighters or engine debt payments, he said.

Resident Mary James said she hopes the other five volunteer fire departments are not negatively affected.

Solberg said payment plans can be made July 1-31.

“They can set the terms of their own payment plan,” he said. “As long as they keep those terms, they won’t be subject to additional fees or interest.”

An appeal board will be made up of a council member, Lewis County Chamber of Commerce and a city resident. There is no current council member on an existing appeal board, local building owner Steve Byers said.

Council members will review fee rates annually.

Among other items as part of the special session, council members also unanimously:

— voted to purchase a $5,500 drone for the city police/fire department.

— voted to lay the levy for the 2025 fiscal year.