CHARLESTON, W. Va. — Cities across the state are anxious to become one of 16 new municipalities to be granted home rule status. The Legislature approved expanding home rule during the past session after a four-city pilot project proved successful.
Lisa Dooley, the executive director of the West Virginia Municipal League, said the agency has received a widespread interest in the expansion.
“We’re up to about 35 cities who called in, requesting information, wanting to know if the rules are ready, if the application is ready,” Dooley said.
Patsy Trecost, the mayor of Clarksburg
Dooley said that despite the wait, cities are anxious to be part of the program that can lift the burden of some state mandates.
“They do see it as a means to get out there and do what they do best and that’s govern at the local level.”
Dooley said the state has long kept a tight thumb on local government. But with home rule, cities have a chance to explore different ideas and options. Some will be successful, some won’t.
“That’s the beauty of the home rule pilot. It lets [cities] develop innovative plans without a commitment,” Dooley said. “What if it doesn’t work? Well good. We’ll go back to the drawing board, and yet we’re not left with a law on the books of state code that doesn’t work.”
