CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - The Jefferson County Commission agreed Thursday to enter into mediation with the City of Ranson, W.Va., in an attempt to settle a long-standing suit over the collection of school impact fees in Ranson.
School impact fees went into effect Jan. 26, 2004, but none of the $1.6 million in fees that has been collected in Ranson has been forwarded to the county, officials said Thursday.
The county commission believes that Ranson officials are collecting a school impact fee but are calling it a "voluntary proffer." The county commission complains in its suit in Jefferson County Circuit Court that the proffers are not a uniform way to collect the school fee.
In the mediation process, a mediator will be selected and the sides will try to reach common ground, Commissioner Dale Manuel said.
