City Council holds budget work session
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WEIRTON -- Weirton Council is taking steps to set up the city's budget for the next fiscal year, with members meeting in a work session Tuesday.
The city has a proposed general fund budget of $21,490,041 for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The current fiscal year's budget was set at $20,607,833.
According to Diana Smoljanovich, finance director and interim city manager, the city has until March 28 to submit the budget to the state, and council can hold additional workshops if needed and pass the budget during a special meeting later this month.
Of the proposed expenses, $9,807,117 is for personnel, $8,280,311 is for other operational costs, $2,558,780 for equipment and projects, $448,163 for current equipment leases and $395,670 for contingency. No funding is set to be placed into the city's financial stabilization fund.
Smoljanovich noted many of the increases seen in the proposed budget, compared to the current year, is because of planned salary adjustments.
Council members in attendance agreed to allot $1.4 million toward street paving, and agreed to most departmental requests, but some said they wish to see some focus on physical improvements as well.
"I really want to see us address our facilities," Ward 7 Councilman Terry Weigel said, noting the need for a new HVAC system, roof and facade at the city building.
Weigel noted the Public Works building, built in 1982, is the newest of the municipal facilities.
Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh, though, warned the only way to cover all of the suggested projects is to deplete the city's contingency funds.
"That's the only place it's coming from," Marsh said.
Ward 1 Councilman Tim Connell said, while he agrees improvement projects are needed, council needs to establish a priority list.
"We've got to do over two or three years," Connell said. "Pick what we can do and move on."
Ward 6 Councilman Enzo Fracasso said some action will need to be taken.
"Everything's just been kicked down the road," Fracasso said. "Now we're in a corner."
Among the departmental purchases discussed were requests for two new cruisers and a van for the Weirton Police Department, along with gear for the department's Special Response Team. The Weirton Fire Department requested new helmets, funds for building maintenance and medical equipment.
Public Works plans for the purchase of two new vehicles for the Sanitation Department, as well as some facilities improvements.
Smoljanovich said she will work an amending the proposed budget based on council's input and heavy it ready for a vote later this month.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)