Tensions and emotions ran high Wednesday night at a pre-Christmas workshop session of New Martinsville City Council’s finance committee. The meeting was held at 5 p.m. in the large conference room of the city complex.

Committee council members present included Kay Goddard, chairperson, along with Iris Isaacs and Joel Potts.

Also in attendance were Councilman Steve Pallisco and Councilwoman Holly Grandstaff.

City Recorder Bonnie Shannon was also present.

The committee first tackled the issue of the highly-controversial proposed City Service Fee. The first reading of a City Service Fee ordinance was passed at the November council meeting. The ordinance would charge non-residents of the city $1.75 per week to work within city limits. Council had also later suggested charging everyone who works within the city, regardless of residency, a fee.

At December’s council meeting, the ordinance was tabled until the finance committee could hold a workshop to further investigate other ways to generate revenue.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Councilman Steve Pallisco suggested several options he considered to be viable sources of income. Pallisco clarified he was not in favor of the City Service Fee and would not support it.

Pallisco suggested the city pursue a one percent sales tax increase, that he believes would be an option next year. He also suggested raising the Municipal Fee to raise funds needed for salary increases for the elected officials — Chief of Police, City Recorder, and Street Commissioner.

The finance committee then decided to go into executive session to discuss personnel.

Upon returning to the meeting, the finance committee discussed the issue of salary increases for elected officials. Pallisco said he fully supported the increase. He said he believes there are ways to get to gain the funds to pay for increases. He once again mentioned increasing the Municipal Fee but met resistance from the committee who explained the municipal increase could not be used for salary increases. Pallisco also suggested a Police Protection Fee and a Street Fee which he said would each be $2 per month.

According to the committee, the money generated from those two fees could only be used to increase the Chief of Police and Street Commissioner salaries. The committee would still need to find a way to increase the Recorder’s salary. It was noted that the city could not increase one salary, without increasing all three elected official salaries.

As the committee continued discussions, Chairperson Kay Goddard repeatedly asked for a motion on the matter. Expressing emotion, she moved to adjourn the meeting. She said she had tried everything she could do to help the city, “to no avail.” Goddard then left the meeting, followed by Councilman Pallisco.

With no second to Goddard’s motion, the remaining committee members — Isaacs and Potts — continued to discuss the matter of salary increases.

Throughout the meeting, City Attorney Carolyn Flannery offered advice and suggestions as to the legality of ways to generate funds. She mentioned drafting the City Service Fee ordinance and explained she was advised there needed to be a change. She said the council needed to figure out how much they need, and then come up with a plan to meet the need.

Councilwoman Issacs said she was torn over the subject. She said she knows what Police Chief Tim Cecil does and she supports giving him a raise; however, she expressed she does not support increases if there is no way to pay for them. Councilman Joel Potts also supported an increase but stated he would not vote for a salary increase unless he could be shown how it would be paid.

Police Chief Cecil expressed irritation, stating he was told at a prior meeting that council would support a $10,000 salary increase. He said he had asked for a $20,000 raise, but he could live with $10,000.

“You will not find anyone who will do what I do. I am a 24-7 guy, and if I don’t get the raise I need to support my family, I will be gone. I will work until 4 p.m. and then be home. If one of our officers encounters trouble, it will be on you, not me, ” said Chief Cecil.

Potts questioned Recorder Bonnie Shannon about whether there would be enough money to cover a salary increase in the amount of $5,000, for each elected department head. After Potts was assured there would be, if some cuts were made, he made a motion for a $5,000 salary increase, which would not take effect until July 1, 2018. The motion was seconded by Isaacs, and therefore passed in committee, and sent to the next council meeting for approval.

Police Chief Cecil was upset with the increase, stating he would be gone and telling committee members that they had the previous four years to get the necessary increase passed. Cecil said he felt the committee had not done anything to get it approved. He said he would “not accept this.” Isaacs told Cecil she had done her best. She suggested that maybe the committee had drug its feet, but explained the city is not receiving anticipated funds from the hydroelectric plant.

A motion was then made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The next scheduled regular New Martinsville City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 2.