MORGANTOWN — Monongalia County Commission President Ed Hawkins said Monday that any conversation or consideration of a TIF district to help finance infrastructure in and around the Morgantown Municipal Airport would move forward without his input barring substantial changes to the map of the proposed district presented by the city.
Hawkins said he was surprised to learn upon meeting with Morgantown City Manager Paul Brake and Airport Director Jonathan Vrabel last week that his entire 17-acre property was included in the 3.31 square-mile district mapped out by the city.
He said during that work session that he did not want his property included.
“I discovered that when the plan was presented to me. I just feel like it’s in my best interest, for me and the people who understand the way I work, that there be no question about integrity,” Hawkins said. “It’s one of those things that you can spend very easily by wasting it one time.”
He said his decision didn’t come on the recommendation of legal counsel, but in a desire to head off any allegation that he’s voting on or otherwise influencing a topic that could benefit him personally.
“If the map would be altered so that there was no way it could be perceived that I would stand to profit from infrastructure extensions, then that may be a different consideration,” Hawkins said. “But as it stands now, I think it’s best for all parties that I recuse myself. So any decision would be in the hands of my fellow commissioners, Sean Sikora and Tom Bloom.”
City administration did not wish to comment on Hawkins’ decision but said it looks forward to continuing the TIF conversation.
Hawkins, who lives off Easton Mill Road, explained that his family’s property has a history when it comes to public works projects. A last-minute route change claimed 50 acres taken through eminent domain to construct U.S. 48, which later became I-68. He lost additional acreage through eminent domain for the construction of the airport access road.
The creation of the district is being proposed as a way to help fund the local portion of a $50 million runway extension and accompanying I-68 commerce park development.
In November, the city received the green light from the Federal Aviation Administration on a project to add 1,001 feet to its 5,199-foot runway.
The majority of the project’s funding will be federal appropriations. The best case scenario is 90% federal funding and 10% split between state and local sources.
While Hawkins said he doesn’t plan to address the TIF district, he will continue to push for the creation of an airport authority between the city and the county.
“That’s a completely different issue,” he said. “It’s an important thing and I think it would be good for the entire region.”
