City’s plans for tax and fees urgent: Dedicated to needs of first responders far into the future

It was true 230 years ago and it still is, but there is no urgency to either.
That is, Benjamin Franklin’s adage about nothing is certain but death and taxes.
Though death takes its own sweet time, or not, increasing taxes or creating new ones usually happen according to plans.
And if you blink or don’t read a newspaper you’ll never know why things cost more or what is this new fee is you have to pay.
This week, Morgantown City Council approved the coming fiscal year’s 2019-’20 budget, but also presented a sneak peek at the 2020-’21 spending plan.
There are no real surprises in the upcoming city budget, but in the not so distant future, the 2020-’21 budget might get your attention.
It not only calls for an additional 1 percent sales tax in Morgantown, but also a new municipal fire service fee.
Before everyone responds accordingly you might want to try and understand: Why this new tax and fee?
While many elevate first responders to hero status — which they are — when it comes to their needs that’s often met with little more than lip service.
True, a portion of this added sales tax is expected to go to  BOPARC for capital improvements to parks and recreation facilities.
But part of it will also be dedicated to paying down police, fire and city employee pensions and other post-employment benefits.
A quick look around the state at other municipalities show many closing their pension plans to new hires and signing on to a state plan, which offers reduced benefits.
While other cities are facing unsustainable payouts arising from unfunded liabilities estimated to be in the hundreds of millions among the state’s more than 50 municipalities.
We give our city’s leaders some credit for looking to resolve this issue rather than sticking their heads in the sand.
The projected municipal fire service fee is to pay for the addition of 12 new firefighters to the Morgantown Fire Department in 2018.
The cost for those new hires is now borne by a three-year $1.7 million federal grant. But that grant money will dry up in 2021.
The addition of those firefighters was long overdue for a department that’s manpower remained static for 50 years in the face of major growth in Morgantown.
The existing fire fee pays just a bit over half that department’s costs; the rest coming from the general fund.
Many may  conclude they cannot possibly afford to pay more taxes or new fees.
Yet, first responders, who never lack a sense of urgency, are priceless