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Committee discusses city policy on memorial donations and limitations on using city funds
Summary
A committee member asked whether the city budget includes authority to make memorial donations; staff and other members noted audit and ethics limits on using city funds for funeral expenses and said donations or flowers are typically sent from personal funds or under existing guidelines rather than city appropriations.
A committee member raised whether the city has budget authority or a policy allowing the city to make a donation “in memorial” for an individual; the committee discussed limits and past practice.
The exchange matters because it clarifies whether city funds can be used for memorial donations or funeral expenses and highlights constraints from audit and ethics guidance.
The member said his family intended to donate to West Virginia Kids Cancer Crusaders in memory of a staff member and asked whether the city has a budget item for similar donations. A staff member said he was not specifically aware of any such item and recalled an audit that indicated city funds could not be used for funeral expenses. He advised the committee member to speak with Mister Baker due to potential ethics and public‑spending issues. Another committee member said when the body sends flowers it is typically done from personal funds or between offices rather than using city money.
No formal direction or resolution on creating a memorial donation policy was made during the meeting; staff advised follow up with the city manager or legal staff to review ethics and auditing constraints before any city action.
