West Virginia High Court Upholds Bridgeport Fire Protection Fee

The West Virginia Supreme Court says the city of Bridgeport has the authority to charge a fee for fire protection services outside its boundaries.

In a ruling released Wednesday, the justices say state law doesn’t limit municipalities to imposing fees and charges only on individuals living within their corporate limits.

The court says the city also can charge users outside its limits a higher fire protection fee, as long as the fee is reasonable.

The ruling came in an appeal by Adam and Stacey S. Davisson. Harrison County Circuit Court Judge Thomas A. Bedell had granted summary judgment to the city in a lawsuit the couple filed in 2012 challenging the fee.

AP-WF-01-16-14 1416GMT