BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — One of the original municipalities to be accepted into the Home Rule Pilot program is proposing a sales tax increase in order to fund the construction of a recreation facility.
The City of Bridgeport is preparing to amend its Home Rule application in November to authorize up to a one percent sales tax added to the current state sales tax of six percent.
The tax will be collected on retail sales inside the city limits of Bridgeport and certain B&O taxes will be reduced or eliminated.
The revenue from the sales tax will help pay for the construction, operation and maintenance costs of an indoor recreation facility located near the current Bridgeport Recreation Complex.
The funds may also be used for Parks & Recreation, civic and cultural facilities.
Officials are currently in the process of obtaining a firm to prepare a feasibility study to determine the type and use for such a facility, a detailed concept plan of the proposed facility, a proposed location for the new facility, and a cost analysis for constructing, operating and maintaining the facility.
The City of Bridgeport will provide at least 30 days’ notice of public hearing by a Class II Legal Advertisement and a copy of the written plan will be made available in the City Manager’s Office for public inspection at least 30 days prior to the hearing.
Currently, that public hearing is scheduled to take place on November 2 at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
An ordinance is required to authorize submission of the application for amendment and will have two readings, in accordance with State Law. The City will then submit an amended application to the Municipal Home Rule Board.
If approved, an additional ordinance will be required to impose the tax and reduce or eliminate some B&O taxes.
Any jurisdiction that changes the tax rate must notify the Tax Commissioner 180 days before the effective date of the rate change, which may begin on July 1, 2016.
In 2007, the West Virginia Legislature created the Municipal Home Rule Pilot program to last five years and allowed implementation of ordinances, acts, resolutions, rules and regulations without regard to state laws, with the exception that proposals, among other things, had to comply with the U.S. Constitution and the West Virginia Constitution.
Bridgeport was one of the first four cities, which also included Charleston, Huntington and Wheeling.
In 2013, the West Virginia Legislature extended the program for an additional five years, expanded the number of participating municipalities to 20, and expanded the areas that could not be affected by Home Rule.
The municipal board is currently looking over applications to expand the program once again.