Weston officials propose square-footage fire fee, say it’s needed to hire nine firefighters and secure federal grant

Weston officials and SAFER fire leadership told about 50 people at a public meeting that a new square-footage fire fee is the best available option to close a projected budget shortfall, add nine firefighters and allow the village to accept a three-year FEMA SAFER grant that would fund most of the new positions’ wages in the early years.

“Fire fees cannot be used to fund EMS services,” SAFER Fire Chief Josh Finke told the room when describing the statutory limits on how the fee may be used. Officials said the fee would pay for fire and rescue operations only and would be calculated primarily on above‑grade square footage, with a proposed flat $15 charge for detached accessory structures and a $15 minimum for land with no structure.

The village’s finance director, Jessica Trumpet, and Administrator Jamie Gabbert said the board is considering a fee that would result in most homeowners seeing an increase of about $40–$60 in 2026; the precise rates and a formal ordinance would need board approval. Gabbert said the village must also apply a statutorily required levy adjustment if…