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WEIRTON -- Weirton Council has agreed to set aside funds to reimburse Hancock and Brooke counties as part of the oversight of the 2024 municipal election, although city officials still have questions over the process.
Council met in special session Wednesday, agreeing to set aside $107,000 for the costs incurred by the counties. Originally, $150,000 was proposed, but the amount was decreased through proposals from Ward 4 Councilman George Ash and Ward 7 Councilman Terry Weigel.
The issue also had been discussed, with a recommendation by the Finance Committee, during the committee's meeting earlier Wednesday. Weigel, a member of the committee, expressed concern then over the dollar amount, saying he wanted to be certain of the costs.
"We just want to make sure it's all legit," he said.
City Council, in 2019, passed a charter change ordinance, which then was approved by voters in that year's election, adjusting the schedule of Weirton's municipal election. Traditionally, the city election would have been held this year, but, as a result of the charter change, it now will be held in 2024, with officials saying only a general election will be held to determine the city's mayor and seven council representatives.
City Manager Mike Adams said, while the city expects to accept candidate applications and certify those candidates are valid, everything else with the election will have overseen by officials in Hancock and Brooke counties.
"The idea is we are out of the election business, basically," Adams said.
According to estimates provided by Adams, Brooke County anticipates costs to be just under $50,000, while Hancock County is looking at a little less than $57,000 for its expenses, although Adams reminded council there are still unknown costs associated with the election.
Much of Brooke County's expenses, he said, are related to the purchase of new voting machines and scanners to be used in Weirton's two Brooke County precincts.
Other expenses are associated with a pro-rated cost associated with the number of voters living in each precinct, which Adams said is dictated under state code.
Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh pointed to a desire to have more accurate costs from the counties.
"I don't want to have to pay for their whole election," Marsh said.
Ash also recommended the city request the counties rent the machines, in particular for Brooke County, instead of purchasing new ones.
"If this is the county's election, why are we buying the machines?" he asked.
Adams, again citing state code, explained the city has to have some responsibility with costs. He reminded council the city is in constant discussions with the counties, as well as the Secretary of State's Office, to make the changes established by the 2019 ordinance, and a memorandum of understanding between the city and counties will be approved at a later time.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)