photo by: Craig Howell

Weirton City Council approved the city’s 2024-25 general fund and coal severance budgets Monday, but not without some debate and two split votes.

Council met in special session Monday afternoon to vote on the two budgets, which have been drafted through a series of three work sessions in recent weeks and must be submitted to the state by the end of the week.

The budgets, as approved, include estimates of $25,548,474 as part of the General Fund, with $110,075 set for the city’s Coal Severance budget. Councilmembers Tim Connell, Terry Weigel and Enzo Fracasso voted in favor, with Chris Jonczak, Fred Marsh and George Ash voting against. Ward 5 Councilmember Flora Perrone was not in attendance, leaving Mayor Harold “Bubba” Miller to break the tie vote, initially voting “no” before a reconsideration of the vote was called and he voted in favor.

Following the first vote, Ash attempted to move to adjourn the meeting, but was called off by City Attorney Vince Gurrera, who reminded council the budget has to be turned in by Friday.

“This is a major problem,” Gurrera said. “We can’t just walk away.”

The idea of another special meeting — or even an emergency meeting — was raised, but it was noted there is not enough time to properly advertise a special meeting to fall in line with the state’s open meetings law, and passing a budget wouldn’t fall under an emergency need.

Weigel explained, if there are concerns with any aspects of the budget, changes can be made at a later time.

“This money isn’t getting touched until after July 1,” Weigel said.

Debate Monday focused on $70,075 from the Coal Severance budget allocated for Parks and Recreation.

“Is this for anything? Is it earmarked for a specific purpose?” Fracasso asked.

Finance Director Diana Smoljanovich, participating by telephone, explained there was no specific purpose planned, but the funds had to be programmed.

Of the $110,075 estimated for the Coal Severance revenue, the $70,075 was programmed for Parks, with $25,000 for Beautification Programs and $15,000 for General Government Capital Projects.

Jonczak said, if those funds are to be used for parks, they should be put toward renovations at Starvaggi Memorial Pool. Gurrera noted a resolution can be placed on the agenda for council’s next regular meeting to designate the funds in question for such a use, if desired.

For the general fund budget, expenditures were set in the amounts of: Economic Development $192,500; Mayor’s Office $16,955; City Council $96,400; City Manager’s Office $656,940; Finance Office $712,520; Police Judge’s Office $139,910; City Attorney $94,485; Community Development (Housing) $281,835; Contributions to Comms/Authorities $135,000; Regional Development Authority $6,800; Building Inspection $1,243,365; Elections $30,000; Data Processing $170,045; City Hall $956,809; Electrical Services $289,025; Public Works Department $482,009; Contingencies $332,000; Police Department $6,059,225; Fire Department $4,087,164; Dog Warden/Humane Society $76,475; Communication Center/Central Dispatch $213,110; Streets and Highways $3,237,725; Street Lights $425,000; Central Garage $398,405; Public Transit $75,000; Garbage Department $1,975,422; Storm Sewer $90,250; Parks and Recreation $700,000; Visitors Bureau $212,500; Youth Program $25,000; Library $521,600; Beautification Programs $15,000 and Capital Projects – Street and Transportation $1,600,000.