WHEELING. W.Va. – Wheeling City Council concluded its final budget work session Tuesday night, setting the stage for next week’s vote on the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget. The comprehensive plan, now exceeding $40 million in operating expenses and revenues, reflects a notable increase of about $1.4 million over the current fiscal year.
Council discussed Centre Market finances. and its low rental fee revenues, especially the rent paid by the Artworks Around Town gallery.
In addition to Centre Market, council discussions addressed significant increases in other areas of the city budget. Notably, the budget for the Wheeling Police Department is slated to rise from approximately $8.8 million to over $9.7 million.
Mayor Denny Magruder pointed to the anticipated investments by WVU Medicine at the former Ohio Valley Medical Center site as a catalyst for broader regional development and improved market rental rates.
City leaders expressed cautious optimism about the fiscal outlook.
