Shinnston council picks firm to audit city's books

“It’s a piece of the puzzle to get this main water line project on track,” Mayor Sam DeMarco said. “Hopefully we can get that completed and start this project.”

The audits of the city’s general, water and sewer funds are necessary before the city closes on bonds to finance the replacement of a main line from the treatment plant in Marion County to the downtown, officials have said.

Shinnston has obtained $3.3 million in federal funds for the project. The funds, approved by U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, include a $2.39 million low-interest loan and $950,000 grant.

The project is about a year behind schedule, officials have said.

Balestra Harr & Scherer will perform the audits for $15,000, City Manager Debra Herndon said. The city also received proposals from David Howell for $31,860 and Allman & Associates PLLC for $9,000.

“A committee scored the bids and then made a recommendation to council based on the scores,” Herndon said.

Besides costs, the committee looked at the firms’ technical experience and responses to the request for proposals, she said.

In other business, council:

— Approved the first readings of two ordinances that are part of the city’s home rule plan.

One ordinance would remove party affiliation as a requirement for serving on the Shinnston Municipal Building Commission, Herndon said.

“We have had issues in the past finding someone that would fit the political profile as well as being willing to serve on the building commission,” Herndon said.

The other ordinance would allow the city to spend up to $1 per resident on promoting the city and events, Herndon said. Currently, the city can only spend 25 cents per resident.

The two ordinances must go through a public hearing and second reading before they take effect.

Home rule gives cities more say in how they govern.

— Tabled an ordinance to remove the city’s ban on all-terrain vehicles on city streets.

Six to eight citizens spoke in favor of keeping the city’s ban in place, while another resident spoke in favor of lifting the ban, DeMarco and Herndon said.

The city’s ATV ordinance is more restrictive than state law, DeMarco said.

Councilman Pat Kovalck suggested a permitting process as a compromise, and council will look into that, Herndon and DeMarco said.