PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — Mayor Tom Joyce says he’s heard nothing about any intentions the Elon Musk group DOGE may have to change the operations at the Bureau of Fiscal Service in downtown Parkersburg.
Reports have indicated that representatives of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will visit this week. Musk and DOGE after been making cuts in federal spending under the authority of President Donald Trump.
Joyce said he spoke with U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s office Monday about the possible visit.
“The communication was that it’s not uncommon for folks to come in and review the system that they use for remuneration for these federal public dollars,” Joyce told MetroNews, adding he’s heard nothing about anyone wanting to close the operation.
ProPublica first reported the planned visit. Reporter Robert Faturechi said Monday on MetroNews “Talkline” they’ve learned DOGE wants to get a look at the Central Accounting Reporting System (CARS) that is operated out of the Parkersburg office. DOGE’s look at treasury systems has been slowed by legal challenges.
The West Virginia Democratic Party criticized the reported visit in a Monday news release.
“Our community relies heavily on the employment provided by the U.S. Treasury Office here in Parkersburg. The prospect of DOGE’s intervention raises serious concerns about job security for our residents who have dedicated their careers to public service,” Wood County Democratic Party Chairman Jeff Fox said.
Joyce said the office employees anywhere from 1,800 to 2,000 people. He said unfortunately most have worked remotely since covid began more than 4.5 years ago and his city has been negatively impacted.
“We’ve had 11 restaurants to close in downtown Parkersburg and the parking revenue (is down). The recovery post-covid in the downtown was not what it was in the rest of our community and in the Ohio Valley,” Joyce said.
Trump has ordered federal workers back to the office. Joyce said the parking lots in the downtown are fuller now than they have been since before the pandemic.
State Treasurer Larry Pack welcomed the DOGE visit.
“I think a big part of what they’re doing is just making sure that people are showing up for work,” Pack said during an appearance Monday on 580Live with Dave Allen. “There are a lot of rumors out there that a lot of these big buildings that we are paying for are absolutely empty. A lot of rumors that people haven’t showed up for years and years and even have other jobs.”
West Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Mike Pushkin said the state’s Republican congressional delegation should urge President Trump to call off the politically motivated witch hunt.
“The so-called Department of Government Efficiency appears to be little more than a ‘Department of Score Settling,’ with Elon Musk targeting agencies and employees perceived as adversaries of President Trump,” Pushkin said. “This initiative threatens not only the livelihoods of hardworking West Virginians but also the integrity of our public institutions.”
Pack said he’s confident DOGE will find out what’s happing with the operation.
“It needs to be exposed. That’s a really big employer down there but if they aren’t working and aren’t showing up, the taxpayers of Wood County don’t to pay for that,” Pack said.
Joyce said he agrees with the review of federal spending but closure of the office would be devastating to the economy.
“Not unlike, quite frankly, Mylan Pharmaceuticals (which closed in Morgantown) and some of the other closures,” Joyce said.