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WEIRTON -- A series of equipment purchases, as well as a budget revision to cover recent employee retention pays, were among the items recommended by the Weirton Finance Committee Thursday morning.
Finance Director Diana Smoljanovich explained the proposed budget revision, which was recommended by a 2-0 vote by Councilmembers Fred Marsh and Enzo Fracasso.
"This is covering the payout for the one-time retention," she said.
Council, in December, approved year-end retention pay for all eligible employees, with a total of $1,500 for full-time employees and $750 for part-time employees, to be paid out over two pay periods.
Smoljanovich noted the only other adjustment was to budget for a full-time administrative assistant in the city's fire department. In recent years, the position had been part-time.
The committee also recommended, 2-0, the replacement of protective firefighting coats, pants and boots, at a cost of $16,771.
Fire Chief Kevin Himmelrick explained the gear was used in response to a fire within Cleveland-Cliffs last fall. Typically, gear is sent out for specialty cleaning, but the department was told these sets would be unusable.
"They came back condemned," Himmelrick said. "We're not allowed to wear it."
It was noted money for the purchase would be coming out of the city's coal severance fund.
Two recommendations were to purchase equipment for the Public Works Department, including a Road Lazar Roadpak at a cost of $55,270, and a Tarco Windy Vaccum Leaf Loader at $89,734.
The Roadpak will allow Street Department crews to perform much of the city's striping and marking on city streets in-house, with it being noted the city traditionally budgets $27,000 a year for the service.
"It beats hanging off the tailgate with a spraygun," noted Fracasso.
The Leaf Loader will assist, primarily, with the clearing of storm drains, curbs and ditches along city streets.
Marsh cautioned citizens to not see the purchase as leading to the city bringing back leaf collections in the fall.
In other business, an ordinance was recommended for the sale of city-owned property located across from 669 Della St., at a price of $600, to Trisha Pratt.
All agenda items will go before the full city council during its meeting at 7 p.m., Monday for approval.