Morgantown council authorizes municipal ID program, directs staff to develop implementation details

The Morgantown City Council on a 6-0 vote authorized the establishment of a municipal identification card program and directed the city manager to develop implementation details and return any council-level items for approval.

The resolution authorizes the city manager to implement a municipal ID program substantially on the terms described to council and requires staff to bring back for council action any elements that would need an ordinance or budgetary approval. "Next steps would be to identify who would implement the program, who would issue municipal IDs, maybe which department, specifically," said Brad Riffey, the city's public relations and communications director. Riffey told council staff would also finalize proof-of-identity requirements, build community partnerships and determine any user fee.

Why it matters: municipal IDs are intended to provide a consistent, locally issued form of identification that can help residents access services, open bank accounts or verify identity when other IDs are unavailable. Council asked for specifics on staffing, proof documents, equipment and fees before making program rules or charging a fee.

Council and staff discussion focused on logistics and security. Riffey said the one-time hardware and software cost is "roughly under $2,000" with an expected service life of five to ten years for that equipment. He described options for mobile enrollment: "There are multiple licenses for the software, so it can be installed, and then it can only be used or switched five times," allowing a mobile unit to enroll people, then return to a printing station. On issuance time, Riffey said that "if you have all the documentation you need and you have the application filled out and it's verified and your documents are verified it takes about 30 seconds to print that ID," and estimated a realistic per-person time of "two to five minutes" to provide customer service and verification.

Council members also asked about fee waivers and eligibility; Riffey said fee waivers could be considered for elderly or other eligible residents and that staff would develop eligibility criteria. Acting City Manager Damian Davis and city counsel will review legal and operational requirements and return any ordinance language or budget requests to council.

The resolution passed unanimously with council roll call recorded as six yes votes, zero no votes. The council directed staff to continue developing program documents and to return with items needing council action.

Ending: With implementation authorized, staff will refine enrollment procedures, finalize identification and proof-of-identity options and come back to council with any ordinances or budget requests before IDs are issued.