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Council adopts property tax levy and delegates routine airport lease authority
Summary
Morgantown City Council adopted property tax levy rates required for the 2026–27 fiscal year and approved an ordinance (first reading) to delegate authority to execute standard airport lease agreements; both actions passed unanimously, 7–0.
Morgantown City Council on April 21 adopted the property tax levy rates for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and approved a first reading of an ordinance that would allow staff to execute routine airport lease agreements under specified parameters.
Finance Director John Ferguson told council the levy action is a necessary, statutory step in the budget process that formally establishes the property tax levy and incorporates adjustments such as allowances for delinquencies (set at 6 percent), tax discounts (set at 2 percent), and carve-outs for tax increment financing districts. Ferguson said some of the mechanics — including the assessor valuation fund retention — are prescribed by state procedures and the state auditor’s certificate of evaluation.
On the levy, Ferguson noted the millage-scale presentation in the meeting materials and read the proposed rate. He emphasized the levy’s role in the broader budget and confirmed the city is near its statutory maximum for property tax rates, limiting local discretion to raise rates further.
The vote to adopt the levy rates carried 7–0.
On a separate item, Assistant City Manager Emily described an ordinance to delegate authority to execute routine airport lease agreements — for terminal office space, restaurants and standard T-hangar leases — when those leases fall within parameters set by the ordinance. The city attorney confirmed state law permits council to adopt an ordinance that delegates authority for such actions so long as the ordinance establishes the parameters for delegation. Council approved the first reading 7–0, with councilors saying delegation will speed processes for small operational leases while larger or unusual agreements would still come to council.
Both items passed by roll call without dissent. The meeting record shows the levy adoption vote passed 7–0 and the airport lease delegation first reading passed 7–0. The council’s next steps were to proceed with the formal ordinance process (second reading and publication as required) for the airport item and to continue budget work ahead of the fiscal‑year 2026–27 appropriation process.
