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Hampshire County approves $500 in gift-card incentives and narrows survey wording on "Maro" project
Summary
On June 23 the commission authorized $500 in $25 Amazon gift cards to incentivize participation in a county survey about an energy project referred to in the transcript as "Maro," and agreed to remove a long technical question, keeping a simpler 'best interest of West Virginia' question for the PSC.
The Hampshire County Commission on June 23 authorized $500 from the general fund to purchase $25 Amazon gift cards as incentives for a county survey about an energy project the transcript refers to as "Maro." The vote was unanimous by voice vote.
Clerk and staff members reported the county had obtained an opinion from the state attorney general's office that allows a limited use of gift-card incentives for certain surveys (the transcript does not provide the opinion text or citation). Commissioners discussed the goals for the survey—chiefly to gather a large number of resident responses the county could present to the Public Service Commission (PSC) as evidence of local opinion—and the mechanics for distribution, including county email lists and an online form.
The commission debated which questions to include. Commissioner Mance proposed removing a long, technical multipart question that referenced regional service-area wording and keeping the straightforward question: whether respondents "agree or disagree that MARO will be in the best interest of West Virginia and its citizens." Commissioners agreed to publish the survey with that edit; a motion to publish the survey less the long paragraph passed by voice vote.
Speakers noted a range of views about paying incentives with taxpayer funds—some called it a useful tool to maximize response counts, others said paying residents to participate is unappealing but acceptable at modest levels. One staff member said the office could run multiple scenarios and ensure the survey is ready for public distribution.
Next steps: county staff will publish the edited survey, run outreach and a drawing for the gift-card incentives, and prepare outreach materials that commissioners said should allow residents to see how a levy or fee change would affect individual tax bills.
