By Kate White
The Charleston Gazette
WINFIELD, W. Va. — Putnam firefighters asked county commissioners to approve a 50-percent increase in the county’s annual fire fee on Tuesday, a reduced amount from what was denied last year.
The fireboard’s new plan asks for $360,000 a year compared to the $750,000 request in 2011.
The fee, which provides funds for the county’s eight volunteer fire departments, hasn’t been raised in more than 25 years.
Commissioners Gary Tillis and Joe Haynes, who were not in favor of raising the fee last year, said this request seems more reasonable.
A meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on June 14 at the courthouse in Winfield to get public input on the increase.
Commissioner Steve Andes, who serves as president of the fireboard, and is in favor of raising the fee, said a swift decision needs to be made.
“We put this off last year,” Andes said. “The bottom line is we need an increase and we need it quickly.”
If the new plan is approved, a homeowner who pays $25 a year would start paying $37.50 annually.
The fee now generates about $700,000 a year. Andes said twice that amount, $1.4 million, is needed. If a 50 percent raise is granted, the board could take in $1.1 million a year, Andes said.
Winfield Mayor Randy Barrett and Hurricane Mayor Scott Edwards attended Tuesday’s meeting to show support for an increase.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people about it, and it’s a shame when it was set up in ’86 there was no mechanism for an increase,” Edwards said. “When you show people the data, they understand. I’m very conservative ... but sometimes things have to happen.”
Firefighters are being forced to deal with several problems at the same time — lack of funds and staffing, and higher workers’ compensation and equipment costs.
“Route 34 has a truck with a cracked block ... that’s running on a hope and a prayer,” Andes said.
Winfield’s fire chief Kevin Watson said new tires for a fire truck costs about $2,700 per tire, and station’s are mandated to replace them every 10 years.
Business owners Glenn Yeager and Gary Young voiced concern that the increase proposal should consider whether buildings have sprinkler systems, among other things.
“We have a building that’s much easier for you to treat,” said Young, owner of G and G Construction.
Glenn Whittington, a Buffalo firefighter, said, “rates are going to go up — it may not be like this, but insurance companies will raise rates.”
Homeowner’s insurance premiums are based on how the Insurance Service Office (ISO) rates fire protection in specific areas. The ISO gives fire departments a rating between 1 and 10, with 1 being the best.
Ratings are based on, among other facts, whether your residence or business is within four to six miles of a fire station and within four miles of a fire hydrant, if your house is brick or wood, and if your closest fire station is made up of volunteers or paid firefighters.
“I talked to one gentleman in Liberty who lives more than six miles away from a fire station and is in a class 10 - his insurance rates went up,” Whittington said.
Billy Parsons, administrative assistant for the fireboard, said the 50 percent increase will allow the board to pay down their debt, purchase new equipment, and improve facilities, among other things.
"[The commissioners] continue wanting more information, but it’s black and white,” Parsons said.
Copyright 2012 Charleston Newspapers