photo by: Warren Scott

Wellsburg Council and Mayor Dan Dudley, right, Tuesday expressed thanks to City Manager Steve Maguschak and Francine Kraus Tost, who has served as assistant to Maguschak and previously as collector-treasurer.

Concerns were raised at Tuesday’s Wellsburg Council meeting about local businesses that have failed to pay business and occupation taxes to the city.

As chairman of council’s Finance Committee, 2nd Ward Councilman Geno Capp said he’s learned that a number of local businesses have failed to pay the tax, some for as long as a year, and asked whether their city-issued business licenses could be withheld.

It’s a concern that has been raised at previous council meetings, with some lamenting that it’s difficult for the city officials to know how much each business owes because businesses aren’t required to submit records of their income.

Due on a quarterly basis, B&O taxes are based on gross income and assessed at different rates depending on the type of business.

For example, in Wellsburg, banks or other financial institutions owe 0.61 percent of gross income received from interest, premiums, service fees and other income, while businesses that sell food directly to customers owe 0.24 percent of their gross income.

On Tuesday, 3rd Ward Councilman Randy Fletcher questioned whether the names of delinquent businesses may be published in a local newspaper, as is done by Brooke County officials for property owners who are delinquent in their property tax payments.

Following the meeting, Mayor Dan Dudley said he believes some businesses owe tax for more than a year but couldn’t say how much is owed.

Dudley said he and others hope the city’s new legal counsel will be able to help the city collect the taxes.

Attorney Mike Simon, who was hired last month, told council he will research the matter further and seek remedies for the city.

In recent years, council members have complained the city lacks sufficient revenue to provide services, including street paving.

In November, council agreed to apply for inclusion in the state’s Home Rule program, which would allow it to implement a 1 percent sales tax for goods and services obtained in the city with some exceptions.

The tax is expected to generate $172,000 per year for the city and offset a loss in revenue from the closing of some local industries.

In other business:

�–� Dudley recognized Steve Maguschak, who is leaving the position of city manager on Jan. 23, for his 10 years of service; and Francine Kraus Tost, who is retiring after 17 years of service that included stints as the collector-treasurer and assistant to the city manager.

Maguschak told the mayor and council, “I thank you all. You have made an excellent choice for the next city manager. She’s doing an excellent job.”

He referred to Erica Tamburin, who took over the job Jan. 5, with Maguschak serving as a temporary consultant.

�–� Kevin Maloney, a past volunteer with the Wellsburg Oil Can Derby, announced he plans to take over the race, which is similar to the Soapbox Derby and was held on Independence Day until last year.

Maloney said he’s also planning a separate race, for June 27, involving children with special needs in cars designed for them, having organized a similar event in Moundsville.

�–� Fletcher said several “Slow Autistic Child at Play” signs have been purchased for display along streets where children on the autism spectrum live.

He said while he knows some areas where they are needed, parents or guardians of such children may call City Hall at (304) 737-2104 to learn how they may be posted in their neighborhoods.

�–� Members of Riverview Baptist Church sought and were granted permission to hold a race along the Yankee Trail, a paved walking trail in the city, and in other areas of the city on March 14.

Other details of the event are to be announced.

�–� Council approved the hiring of Dayson Beagle as an officer for the city’s police department. City Police Chief Mike Allman said he hopes to fill at least one other vacancy in the department in the near future.

Council will meet again for its monthly committees meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 27 at City Hall. Its next regular voting meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 10.