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WEIRTON -- The City of Weirton is remaining an invested member of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle following Monday's city council meeting.
Council voted unanimously, Monday, on a resolution to authorize financial support in the amount of $33,062.50 to the BDC, which is involved in economic development activities in Hancock and Brooke counties.
The resolution originally was presented to council in January but was tabled to allow for further discussion after some council members expressed concerns.
Prior to the vote, Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh requested additional information from BDC Executive Director Marvin Six, who was in attendance.
"There's two things that stick in my head," Marsh said, asking about a budgetary item presented by the BDC showing employee salaries and also a rate chart which had been presented to council.
Without giving details on the amounts, Six explained the salary information provided to council included pay and benefits for the BDC's three employees. Six noted the rate chart initially presented to the city was outdated, explaining there had been an increase in investment amounts for all participating communities and organizations.
"There was an increase across the board," Six said, adding that currently Follansbee and Chester are the only communities in the two counties not participating.
Marsh, still expressing come concern as to the amount the city is providing, noted the rates are based on population.
"Are we still based on 20,000 people, because we don't have that," he asked.
Ward 7 Councilman Terry Weigel, who represents the city on the BDC board, suggested council invite the BDC officials to attend a future work session to provide further detail on the funding methods and its operations. Ward 5 Councilwoman Flora Perrone also represents the city on the BDC board.
In addition to Six, the BDC was represented, Monday, by Assistant Executive Director Jacob Keeney.
Also Monday, council observed a moment of silence in memory of Brian Ritchie, a lieutenant of the Weirton Fire Department and assistant chief of Hooverson Heights Volunteer Fire Department, who died last week, as well as Vince Gala, a retired captain with the Weirton Police Department, who died this week.
Public visitation for Ritchie will be held 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. today in the Weirton Room of the Millsop Community Center, with funeral services at 11 a.m., Wednesday in the gymnasium of the community center.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)