It's been three years since Putnam County officials raised the county's fire service fee by 50 percent, but the fee has proven to be a hot topic in the race for county commission.
Republican candidate Ronald Reagan Foster wants to lower the fire service fee for business owners in Putnam County. He said that would make the fees more fair for both residents and businesses, although such a move could raise residents' share of the fees.
"I believe that the fire service fees are not calculated properly," Foster said Wednesday. "There is a more fair and equitable way of doing it."
Foster and another Republican commission candidate, Dusty Hurley, met with Gazette-Mail editors on Wednesday. Another Republican candidate, Joseph Tyree, did not attend. One Democrat, Mark Whitt, is also running for commission.
Hurley, director of the Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau, disagreed with Foster on the issue of the fire service fee and said she wants to keep the fee fair to the homeowners.
"I don't think a person that owns a home that is 2,500 square feet should pay the same fees as Wal-Mart," Hurley said. "I do think we need to keep the cost low for residents... but at the same time we don't want to deter businesses from coming in the county."
In 2012, the Putnam County Commission voted to raise the fire service fee by 50 percent. Prior to that, the fire service fee hadn't been increased in 25 years.
A homeowner who paid $25 a year in 2012 now pays $37.50, and owners of larger homes pay $45.
Owners of commercial buildings - which include apartment buildings, hotels, motels and other buildings - pay $75 for structures up to 2,500 square feet.
Instead of a single rate for all structures larger than that, they pay $75 more for each 1,250 extra square feet until 7,500 square feet, upon which they pay $75 more per each 2,500 extra square feet up to 20,000. The max fee, for 20,000 square feet and larger, is $1,125 per year.
Foster, who owns Foster Supply in Scott Depot, said he's talked to numerous business owners who were disappointed in the increase. His own business, Foster Supply, filed a lawsuit over the new fire service fees, something Foster is proud of.
"I'm not afraid to take a tough stance," he said.
Hurley said she would consider revisiting the fire service fees, but said she is more focused on being fair to the residents of the county compared to the businesses.
Foster believes managing a county is much like managing a business, something he has experience in. He said his main motivation for running for county commission is to create more jobs, and getting government out of the way so private industries can grow.
Hurley believes in the power of the government to make a positive difference in the county, and hopes to use her experience to make Putnam County a better place all around.
"I want better for Putnam County, I want growth for Putnam County. I want it to be a great place to do something," Hurley said. "Passion and experience is what will set me apart as next county commissioner, hopefully."
Both candidates agree more businesses, large and small, need to be developed in Putnam County.
"[I would] meet with each individual prospective employer that is considering Putnam County as one of their locations," Foster said. "I'd meet with them and make them feel welcome in Putnam County."
Hurley agreed and said bringing more businesses and jobs to the county is important, and as a county commissioner, there are multiple ways to do that.
Hurley said she'd like to work to recruit more commercial businesses, such as restaurants and resorts. She also thinks it's important to provide support to the small businesses in the community through the Putnam Chamber of Commerce and the Putnam County Development Authority.
Foster and Hurley disagreed on the division of Putnam County. Foster said he doesn't really see the division between the northern part of Putnam County, and the southern part of the county below the Kanawha River.
Foster said he's done business with both sides of the river, and sees Buffalo and Eleanor as an integral part of Putnam County.
However, Hurley said she's heard from residents that a lot of residents north of the river do feel neglected from the rest of the county.
If elected to commission, Hurley said she would find ways to support those businesses along U.S. 35.
The winner of the election will replace Commissioner Joe Haynes, who is not running for re-election. The election is May 10, and early voting begins April 27.
Reach Laura Haight at
laura.haight@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4843 or follow
@laurahaight_ on Twitter.