Moundsville City Council approves a $16 million budget for fiscal 2026-27 during Tuesday’s regular meeting. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)

MOUNDSVILLE – Moundsville City Council approved a general fund budget of about $16 million for fiscal 2026-27 during Tuesday’s regular meeting.

A public hearing was held prior to the vote and no one spoke regarding the budget. Following the meeting, City Manager Rick Healy said the $16,269,257 budget is balanced.

He noted of the total budget amount, $10 million is new revenue and the remainder is carryover. He said compared to the current budget the new budget is “almost identical number wise.”

“The carryover is a little bit lower but the actual budget is about the same,” Healy added.

The city’s biggest source of revenue is Business and Occupation Taxes, estimated at $2.75 million. The city’s 1% Sales Tax is the next largest source of revenue, estimated at $2.1 million.

The city’s biggest expense is the police department at $3.2 million, he said.

“It’s a balanced budget and includes $750,000 for road paving, which we’ve done over the last number of years,” Healy said. “As well as, at this point, a 3% percent pay increase for our employees and fully paid health insurance for our employees.”

During the meeting, councilwoman Ginger DeWitt made a motion to discuss increasing the pay increase by more than 3% during a future finance committee meeting. The motion for additional discussion was approved.

Healy said the council will lay the tax levy rates during a meeting in April.

A public hearing will also be held. The city is required to include the levy rates as provided by the Marshall County Assessor’s Office with its budget annually.

After the levy rates are included then the entire budget will be sent to the state for final approval.

The new fiscal year begins July 1, 2026 and ends June 30, 2027.

“It’s a good budget and provides a lot of good things for residents coming up,” Healy added.

In other matters, council approved the third and final reading of an ordinance to increase stormwater rate fees. The final 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 against.

A public hearing on the rate was held prior to the vote and no one spoke during it.

The rate increases will be from $5 to $8 per month 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 will cover the first 4,000 square feet of impervious space. More than 4,000 square feet will incur another $1.50 per square feet.

Healy said the new rates will take effect in April, but residents won’t see a change on their bills until May.