WEIRTON - Motorists may face additional delays over the coming weeks as the City of Weirton prepares to enter street paving season following the beginning of the new fiscal year.
After receiving bids on the contract, city officials awarded the bid to Kelly Paving in the amount of $770,020 - which is paid for with Weirton's $2 municipal fee.
City Manager Valerie Means said the contract is very similar to last year's paving schedule. She said there were some change orders put in which caused an increase in price which could also happen this year depending on what crews find when they go out.
Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh said there was approximately $180,000 in contingency which council previously discussed using for paving. He said there was a list on how the money would be split if it were prorated according to miles.
"I'm pretty hell bent on using the money for paving," he said. "I have a total of six streets in my ward that are getting paved of the 24 that need it and my back is against the wall."
Means said the city submitted a balanced budget for 2012-2013, but she is not sure how the current fiscal year will end. She said it is her hope that council can sit down prior to August or September to discuss any budget changes that may have to occur.
"Expenses are running a little high right now and revenues are coming in as expected," she said. "If the budget comes in lower than we budgeted, we may have to cut some things."
The Finance Committee approved a recommendation for city council to vote in favor of the street paving contract.
Public Works Director John Brown said his staff would be handling the paving of alleys in house and they played a role in organizing the street paving contract list as well.
City council is expected to vote on the contract during the council meeting on Monday.
(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)
