In the judgment of Council, the public health, safety, welfare and well-being of the residents of the City demands the continuance, maintenance and improvement of the essential service of fire protection within the City, and as the public revenues of the City are not sufficient for the purpose of providing adequate fire protection within the City, it therefor appears necessary under the provisions of West Virginia Code 8-13-13, that in order to provide for the continuance, maintenance and improvement of the essential and special service of fire protection within the City, it is necessary that there be imposed upon the users of such special service such rates, fees and rentals as are required to pay the cost of the special service of fire protection.
(1968 Code §10-27)
It is hereby found that commercial buildings are more likely to require fire protection services and therefore the fee shall be based upon the size of the building to be protected. It is further found that the size of commercial buildings varies while dwellings, in comparison to commercial buildings, are of a similar size, therefore, it is equitable and fair to apportion fees on a square footage basis for commercial buildings and on a flat rate for dwellings.
(Ord. 636. Passed 7-3-84.)