Mayor Randy Chamberlain talks with members of Moundsville City Council before the regular meeting on Tuesday. Council is mulling increasing stormwater rates. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)

MOUNDSVILLE – Moundsville City Council held the first reading Tuesday of a proposed ordinance to increase residential and commercial stormwater rates in the city.

The first reading was approved 6-1 with council members David Wood, Eugene Saunders, Ginger DeWitt, Don DeWitt, Mayor Randy Chamberlain and Vice Mayor Sara Wood-Shaw all voting in favor and Councilman Dennis Hall voting “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.

According to information from the stormwater board, the rate increases are expected to generate an additional $210,000 per year in revenue to maintain and make repairs to the Moundsville stormwater system.

Before a vote on the first reading was taken, Don DeWitt asked City Manager Rick Healy if the city could use some of its 1% income tax funds to use for the stormwater system instead of increasing the rate fee.

“The stormwater is an enterprise fund, which means it has to live and die by its rates just like water and sewer does,” Healy said. “Their rates have to equal what they spend.”

Healy noted the department has sought grant funding in the past, but it is difficult to obtain.

The stormwater rate is a separate fee from water and sewage fees that residents also pay.

Meanwhile, council also held the second reading of a proposed ordinance to vacate, abandon or annul an L-shaped alley adjacent to 7 S. Highland Ave.

Council also approved purchasing a new Ford pick-up truck for $63,343 from Schultz Ford of Wheeling for the Moundsville Police Department’s drug task force officer. The officer’s current vehicle has about 100,000 miles on it.