Dear Morgantown City Council,  

As a city of Morgantown homeowner, I do NOT support the $1 per linear front footage "fee" on all property in the city to pay for the comprehensive Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Plan. I agree the city of Morgantown and Monongalia County needs to implement a comprehensive plan to improve pedestrian safety and create a connecting network of walkways throughout Morgantown. But this project needs to be paid for by other sources. This project will be utilized by all residents of the Morgantown area, including all surrounding cities (Westover, etc.) and residents living in the county who all work and shop in Morgantown; or visitors and tourist who utilize the services in Morgantown and do not pay any property taxes (fees), other than the sales and gas tax if applicable during their visit.

There are other ways to find the money to construct this project which would be fair and equal(proportionally) to all people utilizing the sidewalks, without penalizing the homeowners within the city of Morgantown. 1. The county (state) correct the unfair and unequal property tax assessed values on their books right now, which would generate enough money needed for this project and many more. (I personally do not like paying more in property taxes than many of my neighbors in Morgantown with homes of equal market value, just because I purchased my home more recently.)      2. (and Very Important) Enforcement of existing codes and make sure all developers who are benefiting from the massive residential and commercial construction throughout the city (and county), need to be required to pay to construct sidewalks on their properties, which connect to the citywide network.

We need to coordinate with the county to ensure a truly comprehensive plan for the area before we move forward.

The city is planning to collect $1 per linear front footage, every year, into perpetuity. At some point, they will have collected enough money to pay for the initial sidewalk project and enough money in the Principal (capital) account to pay for all the annual maintenance needed for the sidewalk projects life, into perpetuity; then the city will begin collecting excess money from city of Morgantown homeowners. What will be done with the excess money? (One choice: if the city is collecting all this money, city maintanence for all sidewalks should include everything. The code should be changed to "the city is responsible for keeping the sidewalks clear year round". This would also be a great way to increase jobs throughout Monongalia county. I know there are a lot of people who would be willing to have any job right now).

But last and most important, no matter where you get the money, PLEASE be sure to hire quality contractors using quality materials to construct these sidewalks, in a professional manner. 

PLEASE, sign this petition and call or write your city council member, state legislature and governor to express your views AGAINST this projects "fee".

Thank YOU!

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