The Tucker County Commission has announced the adoption of a new Special Emergency Ambulance Service Fee on November 11, 2024, aimed at enhancing the county’s emergency ambulance services and ensuring timely medical responses for both residents and the 1 million-plus visitors who come to the area annually. The 2% fee is scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2025, according to the Parsons Advocate.
Tucker County, home to approximately 6,759 residents, is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, including hiking, skiing, and boating, as well as various amusement and entertainment activities. With this influx of visitors, the county faces increasing demand for emergency medical services. To address these challenges, the Commission has enacted an ordinance that establishes a 2% Special Emergency Ambulance Service Fee on recreational, amusement, or entertainment activities within the county.
Key Details of the Ordinance:
- Purpose: The fee is designed to support and maintain an adequate emergency ambulance system that serves the health and welfare of both county residents and visitors.
- Scope of the Fee: The fee applies to a wide range of activities, including short-term rentals (e.g., Airbnbs, hotels, RV sites), equipment rentals (e.g., boats, skis, ATVs), and admission charges for events like concerts, festivals, and sporting activities.
- Exemptions: Registered non-profit organizations, such as schools, churches, volunteer fire departments, and local events like the Tucker County Fair, are exempt from the fee.
- How the Fee is Collected: The Special Emergency Ambulance Service Fee will be paid by the consumer and collected by the business at the point of sale. Businesses that engage in activities subject to the fee will be responsible for collecting the 2% fee from customers and remitting it to the Tucker County Commission quarterly.
- Payment of Fees: Businesses must submit the collected fees to the Tucker County Commission on or before the 20th day of the month following each quarter:
First Quarter (January, February, March) – Due April 20th
Second Quarter (April, May, June) – Due July 20th
Third Quarter (July, August, September) – Due October 20th
Fourth Quarter (October, November, December) – Due January 20th
- Payments should note ‘Special Emergency Ambulance Service Fee’ and be mailed to the Tucker County Commission at 211 First Street, Suite 307, Parsons, WV 26287.
- Revenue Use & Oversight: All funds collected from this fee will be used to ensure the continued operation and improvement of Tucker County’s emergency ambulance services. The Tucker County Ambulance Authority will manage the fund and report annually to the County Commission on expenditures and any remaining balances.
Activities Include: But are not limited to, the following: All recreational and amusement activities including the rental of equipment in use of said activities, whether indoor or outdoor such as:
- Short-term rentals such as: hotel/motel, cabin, condominium, AirBnB, VRBO or private rentals;
- RV or tent camping;
- Boat, paddle boat, kayak, canoe, floating tube rental;
- ATV, UTV, motorcycle, bicycle rental;
- bus excursions, charters;
- downhill ski equipment/clothing rental, ski lift fees;
- cross-country ski equipment/clothing rental, fees;
- sledding, tubing, ice skating;
- snowboarding fees, lift tickets, equipment/clothing rental;
- scenic chair lift rides;
- swimming, tennis, pickleball, court and equipment rentals;
- guided hunting or fishing excursions and clothing/equipment rental;
- zip line, rock climbing, paddle boarding, horseback riding, skeet shooting,
- paintball and other similar outdoor adventure activities and clothing/equipment rental for the same;
- Virtual Reality and/or Al gaming fees;
- putt-putt golf;
- golfing and golf cart rental fees; and
Any and all admission charges or cover fees including, but not limited to, music events and/or concerts, comics, movies, plays, professional sporting or gaming events; mud bogs or motorcycle/ATV/4-wheel drive racing or trail riding.
Further Reading:
The complete ordinance can be found here: EMS Fee Ordinance
Questions should be directed to:
Tucker County Commission
211 First Street, Suite 307
Parsons, WV 26287
Telephone: 304-478-2866 ext. 1207
Fax: 304-478-2446
E-mail: Shelia DeVilder, sdevilder@tuckercountycommission.com
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday thru Friday