WVML Press

Annual Conference Award Entry Forms are under Events.

With many municipal elections occurring at this time of year, we want to remind Clerks and Recorders that they should provide first time elected officials with a copy of the Open Governmental Proceedings Handbook within 60 days of candidates taking office. You may access our members area on our website and look for OGPA Handbook, to print a copy for distribution.

Each financial institution or creditor that is required to implement an identity theft prevention program must provide for the continued administration and oversight of the
program, including the following:

1. Obtain approval of the initial written program by its governing body or an appropriate committee of its governing body;

(Model Policy and Resolution is available in our members section)

In order to combat the growing problem of identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued new “Red Flag” rules which apply to all municipalities that have utility accounts, such as water, sewer or electricity, and other operations that defer payment for services on a recurring basis. In accordance a decision by the FTC to delay enforcement of these new rules for six months, the rules now require that by May 1, 2009 such municipalities have in place written programs to identify, detect and respond to patterns, practices or specific activities - known as “Red Flags” - that could indicate identity theft.

Reminder: As municipal elections are upon us, Clerks and Recorders are reminded that the West Virginia Legislature enacted a law requiring the clerk or recorder of each city to distribute information prepared by the Office of the Attorney General on the substantive and procedural provisions of the Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act, to any newly elected municipal officials within 60 days of taking office.

The League has this information on its website for you to download. Simply logon to the members area and look for the OGPA Manual under Open Meetings.

The unprecedented economic conditions facing the nation are increasingly straining the ability of cities to meet their financial needs. In a recently conducted survey of city finance officers by NLC, 84 percent reported facing fiscal difficulties, up from 64 percent only six months ago. This is the highest percentage in the history of NLC’s surveys, dating back to 1985.

Almost all cities responding expect the current economic hardship to continue well into 2009. Ninety-two percent of the cities surveyed expected to have trouble meeting their city needs during this year.

Back in the 1830s there was a village called Princeton. This small community grew and prospered until finally, on Feb. 20, 1909, a move was made to incorporate created the City of Princeton. When Feb. 20, 2009 arrives, the city will start celebrating the centennial of its existence.

“What a lot of people don’t know is that we’re celebrating the incorporation,” said Connie Shumate of the Princeton Public Library. “Because before there was a City of Princeton, there was a village of Princeton as early as 1837. On Feb. 20, 1909, the city was incorporated, and if you know the history of the area, you know that the incorporation of the Virginian Railway and the city went hand-in-hand.”

The 2010 Census – A Great Way to Earn Extra Money

The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary part-time census takers for the 2010 Census. The pay is good, the hours are flexible, and the work is close to home.

Census taker jobs are excellent for retirees, college students, persons who want to work part-time, persons who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service for their community.

Download Flier

Most state workers will receive 6.1 cents less for each mile they drive their personal vehicles on state business. The reimbursement rate will drop from 50.5 cents per mile to 44.4 cents on Jan. 20, said state Department of Administration spokeswoman Diane Holley. The state reviews the rate every January and July. State cabinet secretaries, bureau chiefs and agency travel coordinators were notified of the change Monday. On Jan. 1, the Internal Revenue Service reduced the deductible rate for business miles from 58.5 cents to 55 cents per mile. State and local government agencies aren't legally bound to use the IRS rate but many do so. The state's current rate went into effect July 1. The previous rate, 44.5 cents, had been in effect since 2006.

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WVML Press

Awards Forms

Elections and Open Governmental Proceedings Handbook

Administration and Oversight of an Identity Theft Prevention Program

New Red Flag Requirements for Municipalities MAY 1, 2009

Reminder: Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act

NLC Survey: City Fiscal Conditions Continue to Worsen

Princeton nears century of cityhood

The 2010 Census A Great Way to Earn Extra Money

The 2010 Census – A Great Way to Earn Extra Money

Mileage rate cut 6 cents for state workers

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