MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — City finances will be the focus of conversation Tuesday when Morgantown City Council meets in regular session.
Included on the meeting agenda is a first reading of an ordinance adopting the city’s 2019-’20 operating budget.
At just over $37.3 million, the spending plan includes a projected $2 million carryover and $235,047 for contingencies.
The budget includes a 2.5 percent cost of living increase for city employees at a total cost of approximately $362,000.
It also includes $4.5 million in revenue generated through the city’s weekly user fee. According to budget documents, around $2.4 million of those funds will be allocated to vehicle replacement and street improvement projects.
According City Manager Paul Brake, this budgeting process will be the first in which council is actually presented two budgets.
“There will be some issues that we will need to consider now and there will be other revenues that we can forego until a year from now,” Brake explained during the most recent council session. “But we can start thinking about that now so we can make the necessary arrangements or adjust accordingly, depending on what your direction is.”
In his message included as part of the budget, Brake explains that council will adopt a budget for the upcoming fiscal year “at a minimum.”
He goes on to explain, “however, it is important to have a full understanding of the trends and issues in the next year. The most critical discussion will center around whether to implement the Home Rule enabled one percent sales tax, which would need to be acted on prior to June 30.”
In other budget news, a $725,000 amendment to the current spending plan will also be up for consideration.
Of those funds, $129,500 is an emergency appropriation to BOPARC.
Deputy Mayor and BOPARC member Jenny Selin said the money will be used to make repairs to the Marilla and Krepps pools.
The amendment also includes funds connected to a recent settlement between the city and property owners James and Karen Giuliani regarding Forest Avenue.
Council is also expected to:
— Consider rezoning all or parts of 13 parcels between Don Knotts Boulevard and the Monongahela River from I-1 (Industrial) to B-2 (Service Business).
The rezoning comes at the recommendation of AECOM, which recently completed a six-month review of the area, identified as Study Area No. 18.
— Receive information about the potential development of 81 townhouses that, according to city estimates, will require the clearing of approximately half of the 40-acre Haymaker Forest.
According to budget documents, the issue is not being presented in an attempt to restart discussions of purchasing the property.
A city plan to spend $5.2 million to purchase the property — valued at $2.5 million — fell through last summer after significant public pushback.
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Story by Ben Conley