SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6
(By Senators Bowman and Blatnik)
Requesting the joint committee on government and finance to make
a study of municipal and county self-government in the state
of West Virginia.
Whereas, Changes in the system and organization of local
government in West Virginia and in the powers granted to said
local governments may increase efficiency and maintain or improve
existing services; and
Whereas, Changes in the administration and operations of
local governments may allow the various regions of the state to
better address their different local and regional needs by
permitting municipalities and counties to use a wider range of
resources with greater flexibility in their efforts to formulate
local and regional approaches for the encouragement of economic
development and the provision of services to residents; and
Whereas, Before any expansion of taxing authority of local
governments can fairly be considered, there must first be an analysis of local government efficiency, tax fairness and
stability, and the balance between quality services and the level
of taxation; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the joint committee on government and finance is hereby
requested to create an intergovernmental study commission; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That such commission shall consist of
twenty-two members; five members to be appointed by the president
of the Senate, not more than two members so appointed to be
members of the Senate, with no more than one of such Senate
members to be of the same political party and three members to be
representative, private citizens; five members to be appointed by
the speaker of the House of Delegates, with not more than two
members so appointed to be members of the House of Delegates,
with no more than one of the House members to be of the same
political party and three members to be representative, private
citizens; and six members to be appointed by the governor. The
representative, private citizen members should include persons
with background, knowledge or experience in taxation, economics,
current conditions of business and industry, labor, commerce or other activities fundamental to the business environment; and
other persons found eligible by the appointing authority because
of sound judgment and deep interest may be appointed as
representative citizens; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the commission shall also consist of
six members representing local governments, three of whom shall
represent the interest of counties, and three of whom shall
represent the interests of municipalities, to wit: The governor,
Senate and House of Delegates will each appoint two
representatives from municipal and county government; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the commission is hereby requested to
review, examine and study the present structure of county and
municipal governments in West Virginia and make recommendations
on how the local government system, the constitution of West
Virginia and the statutes of West Virginia related thereto may be
improved or amended to increase efficiency and maintain existing
service; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the said commission is hereby
requested to define the term "Self-Government", to examine the
self-government concept in depth and propose specific
organizational and fiscal solutions; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the commission shall elect one of its
members as chairman, one as vice chairman and other officers as
it deems appropriate. Vacancies on the commission shall be
promptly filled by the original appointing authority; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the commission may employ such
professional, clerical and technical assistants as it deems
necessary in order to perform its duties, and may request
information from any state, county or municipal officer or
agencies in order to assist the performance of its duties; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That the commission shall meet in
Charleston or elsewhere as it may deem necessary or appropriate,
and it shall convene at least quarterly and at such other times
as its duties may require. The first meeting shall be called
jointly by the president of the Senate and the speaker of the
House of Delegates, one of whom shall preside temporarily and
until a chairman is elected; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the interim findings of the
intergovernmental study commission shall be reported to the
Legislature at the interim sessions of the Legislature, one
thousand nine hundred ninety-six, with respect to progress of activities, programs and plans of the commission toward the
development of recommendations; and a final report of the
commission shall be submitted to the Legislature at its regular
session, one thousand nine hundred ninety-seven, unless the
existence of the intergovernmental study commission is continued
by resolution or other action of the joint committee on
government and finance; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct the
commission's study and to prepare appropriate reports,
recommendations and proposed legislation be paid from the
legislative appropriations to the joint committee on government
and finance.