City Applying to Amend Home Rule Authority

As of October 18, 2021, the Elkins council has opened the 30-day public review period for proposed amendments to the city’s home rule authorities. The application for the proposed amendments may be downloaded here.

The four proposed new authorities concern:

• Simplifying the disposition of city-owned real estate
• Increasing the municipal court technology and maintenance fee
• Increasing assignable municipal court costs
• Raising the maximum age for applicants to the civil service fire department

The application will be available for public view for 30 days (Oct. 18 – Nov. 18) and for comment at a November 18, 2021 public hearing before it may be approved by council through two readings of an ordinance (Nov. 18 and Dec. 2).

Once approved, the final application and affidavits will be mailed to the W.Va. Municipal Home Rule Board thirty days prior to its January 19, 2022 meeting, where city staff will appear to present and take questions about the application. The board will then consider and approve or deny each of the four requested authorities separately by majority vote.

For more information about the city’s participation in the home rule program, including current home rule authorities, click here.