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Winfield council approves 2025–26 General Fund and Coal Severance budgets with adjustments
Summary
After a work session led by City Clerk/Treasurer Nikki Phillips, the council approved the General Fund budget with pay increases, a Home Rule revenue assumption of $125,000, added public-safety allocations (including three fire suits at $4,700 each), and a Coal Severance budget that funds community programs and sign repairs; motions to accept both budgets carried.
Winfield — The Winfield City Council approved adjustments to the 2025–2026 General Fund and Coal Severance budgets during its March 19 special budget meeting following a presentation by City Clerk/Treasurer Nikki Phillips.
Phillips reviewed each line item and explained several adjustments. She calculated that, under the proposed payroll change to address PEIA premium increases, the employee portion for an individual non-smoker would break even at $0.50 per hour; a pay increase is included in the proposed budget. The budget also includes a Home Rule revenue and expense line estimated at $125,000, assumed to take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Wording was revised in the expense notes to clarify streets the city will assume control of inside city limits.
Council discussed consolidation of postage line items, reducing equipment rents by $6,831; pay-line increases of $600 for the Judge and Prosecutor were added; and a $2,000 increase was added to police training to cover two PRO officers traveling to Wheeling, per Police Chief Jeff Losh. The council increased the fire department’s line from $5,000 to $14,100 to cover three new suits at $4,700 each; Phillips said invoices for the suits would come directly to the city. The Fairs and Festivals allocation of $2,500 was moved to the Coal Severance budget.
Capital and streets items were discussed: current car payments for public-safety capital projects were listed at $20,000; an allowance of $1,000 per month was noted for a new cruiser payment if needed; the streets department anticipates a $78,000 truck purchase to be outfitted with a plow and salt spreader. Grant-match figures for WVDOH were recorded as $104,000 for Phase I Streetscape, $178,000 for Phase II Streetscape and $75,000 for Phase I sidewalks to Mariner’s Landing; additional allocations include $25,000 for street maintenance and $17,000 for stormwater holdings. The council allocated $4,188 leftover to snow removal.
Kevin Karnes moved to accept the General Fund budget as presented with the discussed adjustments; the motion carried. The Coal Severance budget was approved with allocations including $9,500 for City Hall contributions broken down as Backpack Buddies $1,500; Food Pantry $1,500; Seniors Christmas Dinner $500; Legion Dinner $500; Winfield Elementary fire prevention packets $1,973; additional Shop with a Cop $1,000; and $2,527 available for school donation requests. The council also allocated $5,500 to repair both entrance signs and moved the $2,500 Fairs and Festivals line into Coal Severance. Ryan Powers moved to approve the Coal Severance budget as adjusted; the motion carried.
With no further business, the council adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
