Moundsville Opposes Amendment 2
Alan Olson Trending
MOUNDSVILLE -- City leaders voted to officially oppose Amendment 2, joining both Gov. Jim Justice and Marshall County leaders in their opposition to a proposed restructuring of property taxes.
Council voted 6-1 to approve a resolution in opposition to Amendment 2, a property tax modernization proposal which will be on the ballot in November. Amendment 2 would provide the legislature with authority to exempt tangible machinery and equipment used in business activity, as well as the personal property tax on motor vehicles paid by individuals. It also would give the Legislature spending control over 27% of all property taxes collected.
Councilman Randy Chamberlain read a prepared statement voicing his support for the amendment, and thus his opposition to the municipal resolution. Chamberlain cited the opinions of several business leaders in support of the amendment, as well as consideration of the tax burden shouldered by Marshall County residents.
"The taxpayers of Marshall County have historically, and generously, supported bond levies for our school system," he said "Look at our modern school buildings, our new football stadiums and other athletic facilities. Marshall County voters have been very fine and caring to our schools, so maybe it's time to allow the citizens of Marshall County and West Virginia, if they so choose, to alleviate some of the financial pain they are feeling in perhaps the most challenging times since the Great Depression."
Mayor Judy Hunt, in supporting the resolution against Amendment 2, voiced her concern for where revenue currently provided through taxes would need to be made up.
"My major concern with the amendment is ... taking control of the monies from the municipalities hands and going to be in the state's control," Hunt said. "I haven't seen any plans to make up these revenues, and that's a major reason why I'm voting no. I'd like to see a plan - how are we going to make up those revenues?"
The Marshall County Commission, which resolved in August to oppose Amendment 2, stated that the county would stand to lose about $33 million in tax revenue, which would likely lead to a decrease in the amount of services provided. Justice has also repeatedly stated his opposition to the amendment.
In other matters, city manager Rick Healy said that the various municipal departments are adjusting to the construction work that's begun on the new municipal building. Some, like the water department, have been relocated elsewhere within the shifting walls of the city building. Others, like the fire department, have had a complete change of address, with their own obstacles.
The fire department once shared space at the city building, but has since moved to the sanitation building on the Jefferson Avenue extension.
"The fire department relocation's been a little rough, partly because of the large amount of equipment that had to go with them," Healy said. "The three trucks fit in the bays fine, but that was just a wide-open building, so they have makeshift decks, makeshift computer areas, workstations, there's just a lot of equipment piled around.
"They probably had the roughest part of it, plus they had more stuff to move, but we're getting there. We'll get over all those bumps; it's not the ideal scenario for anyone, but we're working through it, and it's a short-term thing."
Moundsville broke ground on the new city building in early September. The new $12.475 million, approximately 26,000 square-foot building is expected to be complete around this time next year.