MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The city of Morgantown will receive about $10 million directly from the federal government as part of the recently passed $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. On WAJR’s Talk of the Town, city manager Kim Haws said they will make plans when they know exactly how much and when the funds will arrive.
“There has been absolutely no discussion,” Haws said,” Until those funds are fully authorized we don’t want to get our hopes up.”
However, Haws said federal guidance does provide the parameters they have when the funds are dispersed.
“It’s primarily is supposed to be used for helping to level out areas that have taken a hit due to COVID,” Haws said.
The Morgantown budget has remained in the black thanks to CARES Act money from previous legislations.
This will be the first full year for collection of the municipal sales tax that is expected to additionally improve the fiscal health of the community.
“It’s the first full year of the municipal sales tax and we anticipate generating about $6 million,” Haws said,” That will help us support a variety of different projects such as BOPARC, the Capital Escrow Fund and our retirement fund.”
Federal relief money will also address deferred maintenance issues at select fire stations, city hall and other city facilities. The fiscal year 2021-22 budget does include a proposal to fund the work through the Capital Escrow Fund.
“That’s a new expenditure we has not anticipated, but with the CARES Act leveling things out it’s enabled us to do that,” Haws said.
The pandemic has stalled the effort to enact a hazard classification system in the city fire fee. The fee was to used to retain six SAFER Grant firefighters that had been on the chopping block during the budget proposal last year.
“This budget does not call for any reductions in staffing at the fire department,” Haws said,” So, the city is committed, at least at this point, to continue to fund those positions created under the SAFER Grant.”
Morgantown city council meets Tuesday night at 7 p.m.