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City of Morgantown proposes municipal ID for residents 14 and older; council moves ordinance to agenda
Summary
Staff proposed a local municipal ID that would provide a two‑year, low‑cost photo ID for Morgantown residents 14+, require four identity points and two proofs of residency, include privacy safeguards (document deletion within 24 hours) and partnerships with library and a credit union; council agreed to place the ordinance on an agenda.
Shannon Davis presented the municipal identification program and an accompanying draft ordinance and operational guidelines. The program is designed to issue a secure, two‑year photo ID for Morgantown residents age 14 and up who may face barriers to obtaining state or federal identification. The card would include name, address, birthday, physical descriptors, a unique ID number, issue and expiration dates, and optional veteran/donor status.
Davis described the applicant process: applicants review accepted documents on the city website, upload digital copies for a prescreen, and provide at least four points of proof of identity (expired documents permitted if they include legal name and photo) and two current proofs of residency showing a Morgantown address. Staff will delete uploaded documentation within 24 hours of prescreening. In-person appointments will be scheduled (presenter cited first Monday/Wednesday and last Tuesday/Thursday of each month as anticipated slots), photos will be taken on site, and applicants will pay a nominal fee unless an approved waiver applies. The city will issue the card after signature capture and finance processing.
Davis said the program will be locally recognized for city services and that staff are working with partners: the Morgantown Library will accept the municipal ID to issue library cards and a local credit union agreed to allow account opening with the municipal ID. The city noted initial hardware and software purchases of roughly $3,000 and expects ongoing card and printer consumable costs to be covered by the operational budget.
Councilors raised questions about privacy, data access, staffing implications and minor operational details for minors (parental verification and affidavits). Staff said access to applications is limited, documents are deleted after review, and scheduled appointment days are intended to limit staff burden; staff will verify policies for minors and provide additional documentation to council.
Council signaled support to move the ordinance and operational guidelines to the agenda for first and second readings.
