Tag: West Virginia Municipal Home Rule

Harpers Ferry Mayor Says City Sales Tax Beneficial

The mayor of Harpers Ferry says the Eastern Panhandle community has brought in $60,000 over six months from the implementation of a city sales and use tax after being granted home rule status.

The Journal reports Harpers Ferry Mayor Gregory Vaughn says the 1 percent sales tax has been “a tremendous benefit” in the town of about 290 residents.

More than a year ago, Harpers Ferry was given a larger say in how it governs. The home rule program shifts power from the state to the local level.

The Legislature created the home rule program in 2007 as a five-year pilot in Bridgeport, Charleston, Huntington and Wheeling. More than two dozen municipalities are participating in the program. Many have implemented the 1 percent city sales tax.

Board Denies St. Albans' Home Rule Application

St. Albans has lost its bid to join the state’s home rule program because of technical problems with its application.

The West Virginia Municipal Home Rule Board denied St. Albans’ application on Monday. Board members said the city didn’t submit paperwork in time.

St. Albans was one of 23 municipalities seeking to participate in the program. Sixteen will be chosen.

The home rule program gives municipalities a larger say in how they govern by shifting power from the state to the local level. It began as a five-year pilot in Bridgeport, Charleston, Huntington and Wheeling.

23 W.Va. Cities Apply for 16 Home Rule Slots

More than 20 West Virginia cities are seeking to participate in a program that would give them a larger say in how they govern.
 Monday was the deadline for cities to submit applications to the West Virginia Municipal Home Rule Program. Sixteen cities will be chosen to join the program’s four existing participants.
 
The Home Rule Board will interview representatives from each of the 23 new applicants.
 
Board chairman Patsy Trescot tells the Charleston Daily Mail that the board will meet June 13 by telephone to discuss where and when interviews will be conducted.
 
The program shifts power from the state to the local level. It began as a five-year pilot in Bridgeport, Charleston, Huntington and Wheeling.
 
In 2013, the Legislature allowed up to 20 municipalities to participate.
 

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