MASONTOWN – Masontown City Council approved its budget for fiscal year 2021-22 on Wednesday.
The city estimates its revenue at $ 204,505. Property tax revenue makes up a third of the $ 60,083 that goes into the city.
This amount is estimated by the West Virginia Secretary of State, according to Connie Ervin, a Preston County Assessor.
“This amount, which is supposed to be raised through property taxes, is calculated from the certified values for the city,” said Ervin. “Certified means the value of the property.”
Ervin said that after the budget was set, the municipality would have the power to set its rate of dues.
“The maximum parish tax rate that can be set is 12.5,” said Ervin. “The maximum for the county is 14.3. I believe that all but a few parishes have the highest tax rate. “
In the budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, the projected revenue in the city budget was $ 57,476. This year, Masontown is set to see an increase of $ 2,607.
The new municipal sales tax goes into effect July 1st in Masontown and increases purchases by 1%, whether from a physical store in town or online. This income is estimated at $ 1,000.
Other income includes fines, fees, and legal fees of $ 37,000 and police expenses of $ 50,000. Gambling income is estimated at $ 10,500 and utility excise tax is $ 16,400.
Smaller sources of income include gas and oil compensation, wine and liquor tax, animal control tax, parking violations, licenses, intergovernmental registration plan, parks & recreation, income from parking meters, interest income from investments, video lottery and other income.
The city estimates the garbage disposal will raise $ 60,000, which is offset by spending $ 60,000 on the garbage department.
Additional expenses include City Hall for $ 41,000 and roads and highways for $ 33,000.
Minor expenses include the Mayor’s Office, City Council, Registrar’s Office, Police Judge’s Office, City Attorney, Regional Development Agency, Building Inspection, Internal Audit, and Parks & Recreation.
Since the budget has been approved by the city, it goes to the state audit office for approval.
Once received back from the auditor’s office, it will be published in the newspaper two weeks before the third Tuesday in April.
Once released, the city council will convene a meeting to collect the levy, which means it will explain how much the levy will be for the coming fiscal year. After the levy has been collected, the city clerk signs the budget.
The city will then have two days to send it back to the state audit office.