WEIRTON - The City of Weirton benefitted from conservative projections while planning for its 2012-2013 fiscal budget as tax revenue figures came in higher than expected.
Finance Director Tom Maher said both Brooke and Hancock counties submitted the numbers for property taxes reflecting an additional $102,276 in revenue for the city's coffers.
Members of Weirton City Council who attended a budget workshop Wednesday made the decision to put all the money into the city's contingency fund and discuss revising the budget later. Suggestions were made as to what should ultimately be done with the extra dollars including additional money for road paving projects, gasoline price increases and the purchase of police cruisers over leasing them.
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VOICE OF REASON — Ward 6 Councilman David Dalrymple, center, was the voice of reason during discussions on Wednesday pertaining to the Greater Weirton Senior Center and proposed budget discussions after he suggested holding off on any major decisions at that time. He followed up with City Manager Valerie Means after the meeting. From left is Means, Dalrymple and Finance Director Tom Maher. -- Angelina Dickson
Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh said he would like to see the contingency fund resting at $500,000 again, noting the fund was reduced by approximately $20,000 during the last budget session.
"There are a lot of roads and we could be getting more done," said Marsh.
Public Works Director John Brown said there are 90 miles of roads in the city, not counting alleys. He said he would be working on figures to determine how many miles of roads are in each ward.
Marsh said he saved back two years of coal severance money allotted to each councilman for ward improvements just to get more done. He said he would like to see the effort put into making the road improvements.
Ward 6 Councilman David Dalrymple said council should also consider putting some of that money aside to prepare for higher gas price impacts to the budget.
Maher said he would look into the amount set aside for that impact.
(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)
