MORGANTOWN — A first reading of Morgantown’s 2020-’21 operating budget is on tonight’s Morgantown City Council agenda.
The total budget includes a $39.3 million spending plan with a projected $1,180,000 in carryover, $306,386 in contingencies and $85,800 in coal severance revenue, for a total of $39,444,612.
The budget represents a 5.1% increase over the spending plan presented by city administration this time last year.
According to information in the budget document, salaries and benefits for 12 grant-funded firefighter positions will not be maintained going forward. Those positions will be eliminated “through attrition.”
The 2021 fiscal year budget assumes only six of the positions will be funded the full year while the others are not funded at all.
“The MFD positions will be handled through attrition, meaning as employees retire the MFD would not fill that position. Essentially incorporating the SAFER position into a preexisting position,” Communications Manager Andrew Stacy explained.
The $1.7 million grant was awarded in 2017 and has funded the positions on a sliding scale the last three years.
As for budget highlights, Stacy points to the city’s efforts to become an “employer of choice” when it comes to attracting and retaining talent.
“In the upcoming budget, city administration has proposed to continue work on improving working conditions by improving security, building conditions and workspaces,” Stacy said. “The city will also continue to look at overall health and wellness of employees by providing health assessments and exploring the possibility of an employee clinic.”
The budget also contemplates a $5 million city infrastructure improvement bond
“Several city-owned buildings are aging and in need of repairs. Without near-immediate attention, maintenance costs will continue to rise, or maintenance might no be possible at all,” Stacy said, pointing to city hall, the public safety building and the old Woodburn School as examples.
The spending plan includes a 2.5% cost of living increase for city employees and even floats the idea of moving to four, 10-hour days.
The move could potentially save the city in terms of operations and utilities, but is also considered a plus for potential employees.
Stacy said that schedule would pertain to all office and non-emergency response personnel.
