Moundsville City Council members pray at the start of Tuesday’s regular meeting. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)

MOUNDSVILLE – Moundsville City Council on Tuesday approved the second reading of a proposed ordinance to increase stormwater rates – a move that would generate an additional $210,000 per year in revenue for the city.

City Manager Rick Healy said residents can speak on the matter during a public hearing during the next regular council meeting on March 3 at 6 p.m. Then, the third and final reading of the proposed ordinance will be held.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the second reading was approved in a 6-1 decision with council members David Wood, Eugene Saunders, Ginger DeWitt, Don DeWitt, Mayor Randy Chamberlain and Vice Mayor Sara Wood-Shaw all voting in favor. Councilman Dennis Hall voted “no.”

The proposed rate increases would be from $5 to $8 per month or an additional 60% for single-family residential and from $12.50 to $15 per month or an additional 20% for a base fee for commercial, industrial and rental properties.

The base fee for commercial, industrial or rental properties would cover the first 4,000 square feet of impervious space. More than 4,000 square feet would incur another $1.50 per square feet.

The residential stormwater rate has not been increased since 2010. The commercial, industrial and rental property rate was last increased in 2021.

The rate increases are expected to generate an additional revenue to maintain and make repairs to the Moundsville stormwater system.

The stormwater system includes 10 miles of pipe from 4 inches to 60 inches in diameter. It has 830 catch basins, 176 manholes and 116 outlets. The system directs rainwater and snowmelt into streams and the Ohio River.

Currently, more than 50 catch basins need to be fixed, rebuilt or replaced. More than 60 curb inlets need to be replaced because of safety and liability issues. On average, it costs $9,500 to replace one catch basin.

There are also eight different steel culverts that need to be replaced, along with five other projects related to headwalls, bar screens and sediment boxes as well as 22 storm lines that need cleaning and televised inspection, according to the board.

In other matters, Healy provided council members with a copy of his year-end report, which highlights budget and other matters that occurred in the city during 2025. He said copies of the report will be made available to the public on the city’s website and a hardcopy will be available at the Moundsville Public Library.