Clarksburg council approves budget, Waldo agreement and appointments; list of votes

The Clarksburg City Council approved a slate of measures at its March meeting, including adoption of the fiscal-year 2025-26 budget with an amendment to fund a part-time Baltimore building staff member; final readings of several ordinances; a resolution to enter an economic development agreement for the Waldo Complex; and at least one board appointment.

Nut graf: Several items generated only brief discussion or voice votes; the council recorded roll-call votes on more contentious items such as the vacant-property registration changes. Below is a concise list of the formal actions reported in the meeting, with the motion text, outcome and any vote information included in the transcript.

Votes at a glance

1) Approval of minutes Motion: Approval of the minutes of the regular session of March 6. Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

2) Second and final reading: Amendments to business and taxation section (multiple code sections cited) Motion: Second and final reading and public hearing to amend sections 7 45.067 40 5 point 13, 7 40 5 point 16, 7 40 5 point 17, 7 40 5 point 20, and 7 45.23 of the business and taxation codified ordinances (as read into the record). Outcome: Passed; roll-call recorded in the minutes.

3) Second and final reading: Vacant building registration program (detailed debate) Motion: Second and final reading and public hearing of ordinance amending sections 17 30.02 and 17 30.07; (debated at length). Outcome: Approved by recorded vote (transcript records a roll-call; see separate article for debate details).

4) Second and final reading: Amendments to resurfacing/excavation requirements (section 17 0 7.09) Motion: Second and final reading and public hearing of amendments modifying resurfacing/excavation requirements for city streets. Outcome: Approved by voice vote.

5) Fiscal-year 2025-26 budget adoption Motion: Consideration and approval of the proposed budget for FY2025-26. Details read into the record: general fund $17,456,099; other funds and line items read as part of the presentation (transcript lists multiple fund amounts). A motion to amend the general fund to include $35,000 for a Baltimore part-time staff position was made by council and seconded; the amendment passed by voice vote and was folded into the final budget motion. Outcome: Budget approved after amendments; recorded vote present in the minutes.

6) First reading: Current replacement pages to the codified ordinances Motion: First reading and approval to adopt current replacement pages to the codified ordinances. Outcome: Passed by voice vote.

7) Resolution: Economic development agreement regarding the Waldo Complex Motion: Consideration of a resolution to enter into an economic development agreement regarding the Waldo Complex. Outcome: Approved by voice vote (motion and second recorded; council discussion followed).

8) Appointment: Central West Virginia Transit Authority Motion: Appointment of Hattie Wright to the Central West Virginia Transit Authority. Outcome: Motion and second recorded; the transcript indicates support and appointment (final vote recorded as carried in meeting notes).

9) Other voice votes Several routine items (e.g., opening/closing public hearings, approvals under city clerk's communications and zoning forms) were handled by motion and voice vote and are recorded in the meeting record as carried.

Notes and clarifications - The transcript records the general-fund budget figure and the $35,000 amendment for a Baltimore part-time staff member; councilors discussed and approved that amendment before final passage. - For several items the transcript reports only a voice vote or the clerk's announcement that notices appeared in the paper; where the meeting record included a roll-call, those names are recorded in the official minutes.

What happens next: Departments will implement allocations in the approved budget; staff will follow up on items that need additional work sessions or implementation steps (for example, the vacant-property ordinance and Waldo Complex agreement).