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Keeping Weirton Books Balanced

Facing a severe “cash-flow problem,” Weirton City Council has voted to employ a private company to tip municipal officials off to businesses that owe taxes and license fees, but have not paid them.

City Manager Joe DiBartolomeo said the collection effort will target businesses that transport products into Weirton, rather than those permanently sited there.

Clearly, the financial problem is serious — though city officials insist it stems from a temporary delay in collecting certain fees, such as those for police and fire services. Earlier this month, council voted to transfer as much as $1 million out of the city’s “rainy day” emergency fund to cover current expenses.

Obviously, the city ought to be collecting taxes and fees that are owed it. Let us hope the new initiative helps keep the books in balance. Council members should monitor the situation closely — and, if necessary, order short-term spending reductions to avoid running a deficit.

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