Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Morgantown council adopts FY2026-27 general fund budget after public comments on police funding
Summary
After a public hearing with residents urging divestment from a police training center, Morgantown City Council approved the second reading of the FY2026-27 general fund and coal severance fund budgets, reducing planned use of fund balance to $739,199 following a $260,800 increase in certified tax revenue.
Morgantown City Council approved the second reading of its fiscal year 2026-27 general fund and coal severance fund budgets following a public hearing in which several residents urged the council to reduce police spending and to divest from the Morgantown Public Safety Training Center.
Finance Director John Ferguson told the council that the city received a $260,800 increase in certified real property tax valuation between the first and second readings. Rather than increase total appropriations, staff reduced the planned use of prior-year fund balance to $739,199, a move Ferguson described as fiscally responsible while the city continues to monitor revenues and expenditures.
During the public hearing, Paige Freering of Spruce Street urged council to “divest from the Morgantown Public Safety Training Center” and criticized the size of police and fire budgets, saying police funding was “over $10 million, consuming nearly 25% of the city’s entire budget.” Leslie Wilber and a firefighter and EMT who identified herself as Holly also spoke, echoing concerns about policing strategies and urging investments in libraries, housing and social services. Holly said she regularly works with first responders and described feeling apprehensive about some officer interactions she has observed in other jurisdictions.
Council members framed the vote as a step toward stabilization and continued fiscal dialogue. After brief remarks and questions for staff, a motion to approve the second reading passed on a recorded roll call vote.
What happens next: With the second reading adopted, the budget moves toward implementation for FY2026-27; council members said they plan further dialogue about public safety priorities and related expenditures in upcoming work sessions.
