WHEELING, W.Va. — Following months of discussion on a potential city user fee, Wheeling City Council will put it up for a vote Tuesday evening.
Council members are expected to vote on the $2 fee at the 5:30 p.m. meeting in downtown Wheeling.
The fee will help fund a $14.5 million public safety building that will be the new headquarters to the city’s police and fire departments.
$1 of the fee will go towards the public safety building and the other $1 will go towards infrastructure including roads.
VIEW: Wheeling City Council Agenda for August 20
Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott and Vice Mayor Chad Thalman have previously told MetroNews they are in favor of fee and expect it to pass.
Elliott tweeted out comments on the vote Monday, questioning those against the:
Seeing a lot of “I support our 1st responders, BUT…” chatter re: Council’s proposed service fee to fund a new public safety bldg. When both chiefs and many 1st responders have urged for new facilities, what does it mean to “support” them but say no to paying for what they need?
— Mayor Glenn Elliott (@MayorWheeling) August 19, 2019
A $22 million property tax levy to fund the public safety building did not pass in the November election.
Wheeling is the largest city in West Virginia without a city user fee. Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, Morgantown, Weirton, and Fairmont all have user fees.