WEIRTON, W.Va. (WTRF) - A public hearing took place in Weirton Monday night before the council meeting to allow residents to voice their concerns about raising the city's municipal fee.
Right now, people working within city limits pay $2 per week. The city's newest amendment to the ordinance, which was initiated in 2004, aims to raise that rate to $5 per week.
Before taking a vote, members of council heard from several community members who disagreed with the adjustment.
Life-long resident Robert Harris took to the podium saying he and his wife work two jobs and cannot afford the fee increase.
He shared personal details with council saying he's had three heart attacks in recent years and needs the additional income for his medicine.
That's where that goes. What am I going to do when I need heart medication or breathing medication? Are you guys going to pay for it? No. That's wrong. You're sending the wrong message to the citizens. You really are. I love my city, but it's the wrong thing to do."
The proposed increase comes in response to councils' unanimous approval to hire six additional firefighters earlier this year.
Mayor Dean Harris says the city does not have the money in their budget to cover these salaries, saying council has to find a way to support this additional staffing.
The revenue generated from the municipal fee increase would be used to pay the six firefighters, which will help add the manpower needed to re-open the former Volunteer Fire Station on County Road.
One resident questioned the need for this potential third station, bringing up her concerns with other aspects of the city.
While upgrades to city services would be nice, possibly in the future, so would being able to turn my faucets on to see clean, clear water instead of what looks like a bad urine specimen at times. Or taking a walk through my neighborhood without sidestepping potholes or crumbling areas of asphalt."
With nearly a third of the city's population residing in the area near County Road, Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead says this is about the safety of the community and firefighters.
He brought up how the fire department is already short staffed as is.
$104 [a year] to $260 [a year]. It's a difference of $156 [yearly.] That's $0.43 a day. Now, if you want to look at your person next to you and look at these gentlemen in the back and tell them that their safety is not worth $0.43 a day,you may want to reconsider what you're saying."
Before voting on the increase, Councilman Tim Connell wanted to add another amendment to the ordinance that says no one will pay the municipal fee more than once a week even if they work multiple jobs within the city.
Since there was a change made, Monday night became the first reading of the amended ordinance and passed in a six to one vote.
A second reading and another public hearing on the rate increase will take place at April's city council meeting.