Craig Howell INCREASE APPROVED – Weirton Council, during its meeting Monday, approved by a 6-1 vote the final reading of an ordinance increasing the city’s Municipal Service Fee, which will now assess $5 each week from the pay of everyone working within the city limits.

WEIRTON – After several months of discussion, Weirton Council gave final approval Monday to an ordinance that will increase the city’s municipal service fee.

Through a roll call vote, council approved the second reading of Ordinance 2272, “to Amend and Re-Enact a Weirton Municipal Service Fee,” by a 6-1 margin. Ward 6 Councilman Anthony Rocchio cast the lone dissenting vote. The ordinance increases the fee from $2 per week to $5 per week, deducted from the pay of every individual who works within city limits.

A public hearing was held prior to Monday’s regular council meeting, with no one offering comment on the increase. Council members also offered no comments before voting on the ordinance.

One adjustment to the initial proposal would ensure that individuals who work multiple jobs in Weirton are assessed the fee only once. An amendment approved by council in March states that “no individual shall pay the fee more than once for the same week of employment regardless of multiple employers.”

The municipal service fee was established in 2004 through Ordinance 1417 to generate revenue for “public works, street department functions, street maintenance, capital projects and public health and safety.” At the time, officials said funds were intended to assist with street paving.

The current council has said the increase in revenue will help fund the hiring of six additional firefighters for the Weirton Fire Department as part of a plan to reopen operations at the County Road Fire Station.

“This is a huge step for the Weirton Fire Department and the citizens of Weirton,” Fire Chief Kevin Himmelrick said during departmental reports Monday.

Himmelrick noted the importance of additional personnel and the station in improving fire service, particularly in the northern end of the city.

Once reopened, firefighters stationed at County Road would be first to respond to 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 Form Energy, Bidell Gas Compression and much of the Cleveland-Cliffs and Frontier Group properties.

According to Himmelrick, most of the work to reopen the County Road station has been completed, including recent flooring work.

“County Road is moving along,” he said. “We’re ready to move in whenever possible.”

The fee increase will take effect in 30 days, according to the ordinance.