Weirton Finance Committee recommends budgetary items
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WEIRTON -- Adjustments to budgets were among the issues recommended by Weirton's Finance Committee Thursday morning, with the agenda items set to be discussed by the full Weirton Council Monday.
Thursday's agenda included a resolution to authorize revisions to the Fiscal 2023-24 General Fund Budget.
"The big one is the money allocated for the community center," Finance Director Diana Smoljanovich said.
In December, city council authorized $1,720,000 to be put toward the third, and final, phase of the south wall repair project for the Millsop Community Center. Another $1 million was authorized for the replacement of the vessel at Starvaggi Memorial Pool, with $89,134.61 set aside for a second phase of playground improvements at Starvaggi Memorial Park. Smoljanovich noted the work at Starvaggi would be addressed through a future budget revision.
Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh, who chairs the Finance Committee, noted the revision did include removing some of the funding set up for improvement projects at the Weirton Municipal Building to cover some of the anticipated park project costs.
Smoljanovich indicated there remains more than $3 million for those improvements, and there is the possibility other revenues collected during the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends June 30, can replinish a portion of the loss.
"We can get some of the necessary things done," she said, noting, in particular, a need for repairs for restrooms on the main floor of the city building.
The proposed revisions also included budget alterations to cover the recent one-time pay adjustment provided to city employees at the end of the 2023 calendar year, and other employee pay adjustments made in recent months.
Another resolution set for consideration is Substantial Amendment No. 1 for the city's Fiscal 2023 Annual Action Plan for the use of 2023 Community Development Block Grant Funds.
"It looks like wer'e not going to pave streets, but will do curb cuts," Marsh said.
Public Works Director Allen Hess confirmed there will be 38 curb cuts installed to meet regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, using CDBG funds which originally had been budgeted for street paving.
"Moving forward, we're going to have to do ADA curb cuts as we pave," Hess noted, adding he will be looking at less expensive alternatives in the future.
In other business, the Finance Committee recommended a resolution for an agreement with Pulice Construction for the demolition of a vacant garage structure on Carothers Addition, at a cost of $1,700; and a resolution for the purchase of a 2023 Ford F-450 chassis cab for the Weirton Fire Department at a cost of $59,260.