First Due Fire Protection Fee Update

First Due Fire Fees are being generated and mailed this week, along with sewer bills. We know folks have questions, which is why we are including the following letter in those bills. Please review and these details and reach out to City by calling 304-269-6141 if you have any questions.

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫,

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭’𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐬, 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭’𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫.

We are writing to inform you that, effective July 1, 2025, the City of Weston will begin charging a First Due Fire Protection Fee to all properties located within the Weston Fire Department’s First Due Area—the territory outside city limits where Weston Fire is legally obligated to respond to emergency calls.

This change is the result of Ordinance 2024-02, adopted to ensure that fire protection services are sustainably funded and that those who benefit from these services—both inside and outside the city—share in the cost.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐮𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞?

This is not a tax, but a user fee allowed under West Virginia Code §8-13-13. It directly supports fire suppression, emergency medical response, fire prevention, and rescue services provided by the Weston Fire Department in your area.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐞?

If you own property in Weston Fire Department’s First Due Area (i.e., outside the city but within its designated response zone), you are a user of Fire Prevention and Suppression Services and subject to the First Due Fire Fee.You will not receive a county fire fee. This fee replaces the Lewis County fire fee for all properties within Weston’s First Due Area.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞?

There are three rate classes based on property use:

1. Owner-Occupied Residential Units | $157.50 per year ($13.13/month)

2. Non-Owner-Occupied Residential Units (e.g., rental homes, apartments) | $236.25 per year ($19.69/month)

3. Non-Residential (Commercial/Business) Units | $0.09 per square foot annually | (e.g., 2,000 sq ft would be $180.00/year or $15.00/month) | Based on data from the Lewis County Assessor, or best available source.

If your parcel includes more than one unit or use type (e.g., a home and a business), each unit will be billed separately based on its classification.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐈 𝐁𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝?

• Beginning July 1, 2025, the First Due Fire Fee will be billed monthly.

If you already receive Weston sewer service, your fire fee will be added to your Sanitary Board utility bill. All other customers will receive a separate monthly invoice from the City of Weston.

You may choose to pay monthly or pay the full year in advance—whatever works best for you.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐚 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥?

While we are working hard to implement this system as accurately as possible, we know that some hiccups are inevitable in any new program. If you believe your billing information is incorrect, please contact Weston City Hall at (304) 269-6141. Our staff is happy to help clear up any issues.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

Weston Fire Department maintains the lowest ISO (Insurance Service Office) rating of any Fire Department in Lewis County, which helps many property owners save money on their homeowners insurance. Even in more rural areas, having trained, well-equipped first responders on call protects lives and property—and this fee helps make that possible. This fee is anticipated to allow the Fire Department to hire additional firefighters, which may drive our ISO rating even lower, paving the way for even lower insurance rates in our service area.

We thank you for your understanding and support as we work to continue providing high-quality, reliable fire protection to Weston and the surrounding community. If you have questions, please call (304) 269-6141 or visit us at 102 W. Second St, Weston, WV

Originally posted by City Of Weston via Locable

City Of Weston

102 W 2nd St
Weston, WV 26452
(304) 269-6141
cityofwestonwv.com

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