MORGANTOWN, W.Va – A proposed ordinance to be considered by Morgantown City Council would reconfigure the structure of the Morgantown Utility Board and give the council final authority over the utility.
The ordinance is included in the council’s Committee of the Whole meeting agenda for Tuesday, September 27.
Click here to read the proposed ordinance
The proposal would make a number of changes to the structure and authority of the board, including the make-up of its members. Currently, there are five members on the board, appointed by city council. Two of the members may reside outside the city limits while the other three must be residents of the city of Morgantown.*
The draft ordinance states the five-member board would now include one member of city council and four residential customers.. No more than two board members could reside outside the city limits and the city manager would serve on the board as a non-voting ex officio member.
The ordinance includes that any acquired real estate or interests therein would be acquired in the name of the City of Morgantown.
It also stipulates that any construction project exceeding $1 million would require the city council’s approval.
Relations between the city of Morgantown and MUB have been strained in recent years, especially concerning the construction of the Flegal Dam and Reservoir. Most recently, it took the two sides months to work out the details of a contract that allows the city to add recreational amenities to the property around the dam.
According to its website, MUB services 100,332 customers living in and around Morgantown. More than half of those customers do not reside in the city.
Tuesday’s meeting will be held at the West Virginia Botanic Garden. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 pm.
*Editors Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the Monongalia County Commission appointed two members of the MUB Board.