Local Slowdown 
January 2010 

The Municipal League represents more than 98% of the state’s municipal population and each year we begin the session with our advocacy priorities in our State of the Cities address.  We know better than most that as the cities go, so goes the state.  Our modest platform represents requests for change in the areas of finance, operations, community development, public safety and municipal courts.  First, we must see changes to the OPEB liability being invoiced to cities.  The economic downturn did not hurt just Wall Street and the state budget.  Its effects have been broad and wide-reaching among WV Cities as well.  Moreover, the high level of unemployment in the state will create new pressures for cities as residents become delinquent or need assistance in payment structures of fees and utility services.   

We know city budgets face additional threat as the state moves to solve its own budget shortfalls.  As we look at current and future budget challenges, tough decisions will be made about how to fund city services and at what level.    For example, we expect the state to begin to fail to meet its highway funding with current tax vehicles and begin the introduction of alternatives.  The selection of projects will be further scrutinized and narrowly prioritized.  Without sufficient funding, cities cannot maintain West Virginia’s most critical infrastructure system and without properly maintained infrastructure, development will be stymied. 

There should be no delay in passage of legislation that will allow cities to battle the hazardous and abandoned building problem.  Tools must be given that incent owners to rehab or clear structures that hamper development and become eyesores in neighborhoods. 

In WV, city officials from cities reliant on B&O tax revenue are more likely to report that conditions are worse now than they were last year, before the major impacts of the recession took hold.  A decline in development and construction can be seen from the Eastern Panhandle to the Southern Coalfields.      

As the State braces for what is expected from a major down turn in revenue over the next two years, cities must be given the opportunity to govern themselves and provide the input on how legislation affects the provision of city services.  Our legislative initiatives were adopted by the membership and will assist in seeing Strong Cities for a Stronger WV.