City projects reduced budget, waiting for final numbers from counties

With a projected decrease in revenue, Weirton city officials have worked to balance the 2010-2011 budget and make an approximate 5.01 percent reduction from the current $14,306,789 to $13,589,424.

Weirton City Council met in its third budget workshop on Friday where proposed changes during the second budget meeting on Tuesday were figured into the numbers. Officials are anticipating a reduction in revenue and denied several increases requested by various departments and boards.

According to projected numbers, officials anticipate a drop in revenue in areas such as property taxes and the municipal service fee. Finance Director Tom Maher Jr. said council is "very apprehensive" over gambling revenue lines and want to be wary of the impact on the budget. He also noted expenses overall have and will continue to rise.

The West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board voted to increase the employer contribution to the state Public Employees Retirement System for fiscal 2011. Beginning July 1, employers of those workers will see their contributions increase from 11 percent to 17 percent of total payroll, an additional $120,000 for the City of Weirton.

"We've made several attempts to cut and save here and there on variable expenses but then fixed costs go up," said Ward 7 Councilman Max Fijewski.

City council denied an increase to both the Park Board and the Mary H. Weir Public Library. Fijewski stated he would not feel comfortable giving one entity an increase to assist with the retirement increase and not all others.

Mayor Mark Harris suggested the Park Board and Library Board put together a levy for the next election year, which Maher said would range from $30,000 to $50,000.

Ward 4 Councilman George Ash stated he would support a levy.

"It's part of the quality of life of Weirton," said Ward 5 Councilman George Kondik, "but we need to work on how to maintain it."

Fred Marsh, Ward 3 councilman, requested feedback on what to do about the East Weirton project. There are 27 houses in need of a hook-up for sewage; city officials acquired $74,000 through Community Development Block Grant funds to begin the project.

Marsh said the West Virginia Department of Highways wanted changes made after final figures were set for the project and the changes increased costs by $60,000. He suggested going to the state and requesting it assist in paying for the project or allow the Weirton Sanitary Department to move forward.

Fijewski asked if home owners were paying a tap fee for the hook up to which Marsh replied "no." Fijewski stated he didn't think it was fair for the city to incur all the costs of putting in lines and hooking houses up to the system.

"They've already started the project and a $250 tap fee times 27 houses is not going to help," said Harris.

It was suggested that legislation come forward requesting $20,000 from the city's contingency fund and the application of $20,000 in additional CDBG funds.

Although the Public Works Department was denied $185,000 for a brand new sanitation truck, the budget reflects a $20,000 increase in the department to assist with maintenance for the current truck. It was also decided by councilmembers to allow the cost for the leases of three police vehicles to come out of the Coal Severance Budget.

While not every county in West Virginia produces coal, all counties receive a severance tax paid by the coal industry. Maher stated Weirton receives a portion of the 75 percent of the net proceeds distributed to Brooke County, a coal-producing county. He said 25 percent of the net proceeds are distributed to all counties and municipalities of the state, based on their population, even without producing coal.

"We've seen a slight increase in those numbers," said Maher, noting there are certain stipulations on those funds but taking the funds out of that budget will have less of an impact on the General Fund.

Ward 2 Councilman Harold Miller asked about previous resolutions passed by council in 2003 regarding the Weirton Area Ambulance and Rescue Squad implementing memberships for all full-time city employees for $5,000. He said in 2004 another resolution was passed stating WAARS would operate out of the County Road Fire Station in lieu of the $5,000.

"Since the flood, the Squad hasn't been able to operate out of there," said Miller. "I remember when the Stankiewicz brothers started the ambulance service."

Harris asked if WAARS qualifies for CDBG funding to which DuFour stated they do not because they serve more than just the City of Weirton and their location does not meet the qualifications.

Miller said his main priority has and will remain the safety and security of the community and asked council to consider the exchange.

"We pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for our fire department to be first responders," said Fijewski.

Fire Chief Dave Lashhorn informed council that his department responds to emergency calls as first responders, but does not transport patients to hospital facilities.

Miller stated he would bring forth legislation regarding the matter.

Under state code, council must approve a finalized general fund budget by the end of March.

(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)