A new venture for the City of Bridgeport and the Fire Department will be considered for approval at Monday’s Council meeting with the first reading of an ordinance that would establish Fire Department cost recovery fees.

 

In 2018, state legislation was passed to permit County Commissions to authorize volunteer and paid fire departments within the County to charge fees up to $1,500 for personnel and equipment used in firefighting services, victim rescue and the cleanup od debris and hazardous material.

 

Harrison County capped the fee that fire departments in the county can charge at $500 with exceptions made for incidents or accidents involving hazardous materials or extended search and rescue and water rescue incidents. The City of Clarksburg enacted its ordinance for recovery fees in October of 2022.

 

If passed, a portion of the Bridgeport Fire Department’s costs would be recovered through charges for personnel and equipment from insurance companies related to their insured’s incident or accident that caused the Fire Department’s response. Any costs recovered will lower the amount of funds from the general fund that are required to operate the Fire Department.

 

“I didn’t know anything about it until last year when Clarksburg was just putting it through,” City Manager Brian Newton said. “I found about it and said that’s something we should probably do. These are fees that would be paid by the insurance company. It specifically says that if the person we are taking to the hospital doesn’t have insurance then we don’t charge.

 

“This is where the causer is the payer (specifically, their insurance provider). The person who is causing us to incur the expense is now responsible for helping us pay for the expense. It takes some of the burden off of the taxpayer and puts it on more to the people using the service.”

 

Newton said the $500 cap is something that could be increased down the road once cities have enough time under the proposed plan to see how effective it is.

 

Council will also consider a change order with Fairchance Construction Company for the Fire Department Renovation project. If approved, this would be the second change order since work began on the renovation.

 

In a two-part act under unfinished business, there will be a public hearing on the ordinance that would establish new rates for utility customers as recommended by the Bridgeport Utility Board.

 

Following the public hearing, Council will act upon the second and final reading of the ordinance. The new rates would go into effect 45 days after if the ordinance is passed.

 

The rate increase is not arbitrary or to fix any problems in the Bridgeport system. Bridgeport is one of many municipalities and towns in Harrison County that purchase water from the Clarksburg Water Board, which recently passed a substantial rate hike as part of a $85.6 million upgrade.

 

Bridgeport customers will not see the impact of the rate increase until April, which is actually the bill for water usage in February. City officials said they would absorb the rate increase cost for the month of January.

 

The increase on the statewide average monthly usage of 3,500 gallons is 9.9 percent for residential customers, which comes out to an additional $3.10 per month. The increase is slightly lower for less usage and slightly higher for more usage. According to Michael D. Griffith, CPA, of Griffith & Associates, PLLC, the average Bridgeport customer uses slightly more than 3,500 gallons so the increase will likely be slightly higher.

 

The other rate increases are as follows and based on the state average usage and will see different increases based on less or more usage as well: Commercial will be 11.3 percent or $19.42 per month based on average usage of 21,400 gallons per month; public authority usage would see a 12.5 percent hike and a monthly increase of $36.32 per month based on average usage of 40,300 gallons per month; and industrial would see a 14.6 percent increase and a price spike of $107.96 per month based on an average usage rate of 119,900 gallons per month.

 

More on the new water rates can be read HERE

 

Also on Monday, Council will consider and act on the reappointment of Ryan Haws to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

 

Council will appoint ballot commissioners for the June 13 municipal election and address another issue regarding that election as they consider and act on a resolution, notice and order that would put the renewal of the excess levy on the June 13 ballot.

 

A late addition to the agenda will have Council consider and act upon the purchase of a new ambulance for the City.

 

Representatives from Hope, Inc, will be in attendance Monday for proclamations to support Human Trafficking Awareness & Prevention Month as well as Stalking Awareness Month.

 

The proclamations will come during the awards and presentations portion of the meeting. Proceeding them will be a time for public comments.

 

Prior to the proclamations there will be reports by Mayor Andy Lang and Newton’s City Manager report.

 

A work session is scheduled for 6 p.m. with The Bridge Sports Complex being the focal point. The regular meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows one of the Fire Department's trucks. Middle photo is of Councilman John Wilson (left) and Newton from a previous meeting. Also from a previous meeting, the bottom photo features Councilmen Jason Campbell (left), Jon Griffith (center) and Don Burton (right).