Council Agrees to Add Six Staffers to Fire Department with Plan to Review Initial Funding Mechanism
By Jeff Toquinto on February 10, 2026
How it gets fully funded has yet to be determined, but Bridgeport City Council gave Fire Chief Greg Pigg the green light Monday evening to hire six additional firefighters.
The decision came during a special meeting of Council held at 6 p.m. that was followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m. The decision to allow Pigg to proceed was unanimous and, although not voted on, there was agreeable conversation to revisit the planned funding /Council%202026/Council%202-9-26%20Pigg.jpg)
mechanism and, at a minimum, discuss alternatives.
mechanism and, at a minimum, discuss alternatives.
Bridgeport’s last sitting City Council voted to apply an emergency services fee to hotel, motels, and any lodging facility to cover the costs needed for the personnel. The fee for those staying at area hotels and motels, which was passed in 2025 went into effect July 1, 2025, and the first part of it runs to June 30, 2026, which is a charge of $3 per night with all fees going to the fire department. It increases to $4.50 (July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027) and reaches $6 during the period of July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2028.
When it reaches $4.50, the fire will still receive $3 and police $1.50. At $6, it will be split between the two departments. The fee was estimated to produce several hundreds of thousands of dollars. The money would be used to hire new fire personnel, as well as/Council%202026/Council%202-9-26%20Kinney.jpg)
equipment for both agencies as needed.
equipment for both agencies as needed.
The last Council asked to review how much the fee produced after six months, and those numbers were presented Monday. Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth said the figure was at $284,000. The estimate, for the year, was over $600,000 with the cost for six new staffers being just under $500,000 (additional funds would go to training and equipment).
Shuttleworth said the figures did not include a pair of hotels, did not include some Airbnb units and long-stay contract figures that will eventually get added. Pigg and Shuttleworth were both confident the number would be at, or even above, the estimate once all dollars made it to the city’s coffers.
Pigg had little opposition for the need for staff after explaining Clarksburg runs 14 members per shift, Fairmont had 13, Morgantown had 18, and Bridgeport utilized nine. Pigg provided what he said were solid, but estimated, numbers on calls in 2025. Bridgeport, which runs its own EMS unit and has a first due area well beyond the city limits, had the most calls of all the agencies.
Council member Chris Kinney, who was quick to offer support for the staffing needs of the fire department, was also against the fee. He felt there could be money found already available.
“It’s the easy way out for the government just to take the money,” said Kinney, who asked for a “hard scrub” of finances to find the dollars.
While it is hard to say whether his colleague agreed since no vote was taken on his matter – formal or informal – the temperature was right /Council%202026/Council%202-9-26%20Shuttleworth.jpg)
to review finding funding that would possibly eliminate the scheduled increases or maybe a reduction of the future increases.
to review finding funding that would possibly eliminate the scheduled increases or maybe a reduction of the future increases.
Council member Clayton Rice pointed out that the next increase would not go into effect until July 1 of this year, which “gives us plenty of time” to review the matter. There was no word on when that discussion would come back before Council.
“The chief has clearly demonstrated a need for manpower,” said Mayor Robert Matheny.
The vote came just a few days after Shuttleworth, who has no vote as interim city manager, had a personal dealing with the fire staff. He pointed out that Bridgeport, as part of its mutual aid agreement, was on the scene of a blaze on Buckhannon Pike on U.S. Route 20.
The Stonewood and Nutter Fort Fire Departments were on the scene and aided by Bridgeport. Pigg, who was on the scene, assisted in a case where an elderly man in a residential structure fire had to be flown via HealthNet after being found in the structure.
Shuttleworth thanked the first responders, including Bridgeport for their work on the scene as the residence was that of his uncle. He, unfortunately, confirmed that his uncle passed away in the blaze.
Also, during the special meeting, Council gave City Clerk Lauren Rogers the go ahead to revise the City of Bridgeport’s election cycle to comply with West Virginia Senate Bill 50./Council%202026/Council%202-9-26%20Matheny.jpg)
West Virginia Senate Bill 50 mandates all municipal elections to be held on the same day as statewide primary or general elections by July 1, 2032. The law aims to reduce costs of holding separate local elections and increase voter turnout.
Rogers presented two options, one of which was her recommendation. The recommendation she believed was best after discussion with City Attorney John Ashcom involves the next two City of Bridgeport elections.
Moving forward, those running for office in 2027 and in 2029 will be elected to three-year terms instead of four-year terms. That will allow for the city, after 2029, to get on the same even-year cycle as the ballot used by Harrison County. Starting in 2030 and beyond, all terms will go back to four years.
The move will require an amendment to the city charter, which Council can approve. However, if objected by a resident or property owner, it would need to be voted on in an election. If the voters opted not to change it, which would be against state law, Rogers said state officials told local government officials that they “weren’t sure” what would happen.
During the regular session, Council agreed to provide the new Simpson Elementary School playground that will ADA compliant with appropriate sections for various grades up to $5,400. The funds for the playground, which will exceed $200,000, would come from B&O tax dollars.
Comer said the hope, if all funding is secured, is to get the green light to begin work as early as this week. After that, the project is anticipated to start in June to allow students to continue utilizing the existing facility before surface work and leveling of the area begins.
Also, this evening, Council approved a contract with Deporter, Dominick, & Associates for streets lights. The contract is for $25,413.78 with a 10 percent contingency ($27,955.16).
The city will acquire the decorative black streetlights associated with the downtown corridor, as well as other sections of the city. Some will be placed at the Bridgeport Library as well as other locations, and others will be put in storage for use in the event a light is destroyed.
Council also gave a presentation of an employee service award. Mark Stutler was recognized for serving 15 years with the Bridgeport Public Works Department.
Editor's Note: Top photo is of Fire Chief Greg Pigg, while Council member Chris Kinney is shown in the second photo. Third image is of Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth, and the final photo is of Mayor Robert Matheny.
