WINFIELD, W.Va. -- Firefighters in Putnam County won a victory in their struggle to keep their departments afloat Thursday when commissioners voted unanimously to increase the fire fee for the first time in 25 years.
After their request for a 100 percent increase last year was rejected by a 2-1 vote, firefighters reduced their request to a 50 percent increase last month.
"I'm relieved," said Tim McCoy, a Bancroft firefighter.
Last year, Commissioner Steve Andes, who is president of the fire board, was the only commissioner to vote for an increase.
Under the new plan, effective Jan. 1, 2013, a homeowner who pays $25 a year would pay $37.50 annually based on the square footage of the home.
Commercial property owners who pay $50 will now pay $75 beginning next year. The fee's increase is proportionate to the square footage of the property being covered.
About 70 people attended the meeting Thursday night -- some speaking against an increase and some saying it was necessary.
Putnam County Chamber of Commerce President Marty Chapman, who opposed an increase, said he'd like to see more oversight of individual fire department finances.
WINFIELD, W.Va. -- Firefighters in Putnam County won a victory in their struggle to keep their departments afloat Thursday when commissioners voted unanimously to increase the fire fee for the first time in 25 years.
After their request for a 100 percent increase last year was rejected by a 2-1 vote, firefighters reduced their request to a 50 percent increase last month.
"I'm relieved," said Tim McCoy, a Bancroft firefighter.
Last year, Commissioner Steve Andes, who is president of the fire board, was the only commissioner to vote for an increase.
Under the new plan, effective Jan. 1, 2013, a homeowner who pays $25 a year would pay $37.50 annually based on the square footage of the home.
Commercial property owners who pay $50 will now pay $75 beginning next year. The fee's increase is proportionate to the square footage of the property being covered.
About 70 people attended the meeting Thursday night -- some speaking against an increase and some saying it was necessary.
Putnam County Chamber of Commerce President Marty Chapman, who opposed an increase, said he'd like to see more oversight of individual fire department finances.
Gary Walton, director of Putnam's Development Authority, said it would have been more appropriate if increases had been routinely approved during the past 25 years.
"But we can't afford not to have fire protection," Walton said.
After listening to comments from citizens, Commissioner Gary Tillis suggested a plan be considered that would increase the fee by 25 percent per year during a two-year period.
Commissioner Joe Haynes said he'd reluctantly agree to approve the 50 percent increase but asked Andes if the two-year proposal would meet fire departments needs.
Andes said the two-year increase wouldn't be sufficient to meet firefighters' financial obligations. He then moved to approve the 50 percent increase.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the measure.
"I have friends that will have hard feelings and I'd rather have phased it in, but it's not something we can do if it's going to cripple the departments," Haynes said. "Since Andes sits on the fire board, I'm trusting him, like they trust my input about the boards I'm on."
With money generated from the increase, the county's fire board plans to pay down debt that has been accruing over the past several years and attempt to replace and modernize out-of-date equipment, Andes said.
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