Mayor Goodwin Requests "Hero Pay" for Frontline Workers

During tonight’s Charleston City Council meeting, Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin requested “hero pay” for frontline workers in the City of Charleston—including refuse workers, fire, EMS and police officers. The Kanawha County Commission will meet tomorrow evening to discuss giving the City of Charleston $100,000 for first responders. In advance of that meeting, Mayor Goodwin asked City Council to match those dollars with $100,000 in City funds. Goodwin asked the Kanawha County Commission on April 11 to assist the City in funding “hero pay”.

“The City of Charleston has more firefighters and EMS workers than any other city in the State of West Virginia, and our police force is second only to the West Virginia State Police,” said Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin. “Our first responders and our refuse workers are working tirelessly each day. They deserve ‘hero pay’ for their extra efforts.”

A resolution will be introduced during the Monday, May 4 Charleston City Council meeting for the ‘hero pay’ funds.

Additionally, Charleston City Council voted on Goodwin’s proposal to waive interest for late 1stQuarter B&O payments when the City Collector finds that COVID-19 caused the delayed payment and the business meets other factors. To qualify, businesses must file paperwork before the April 30, 2020 deadline and make full payment by June 1, 2020.

The Goodwin Administration previously announced that it was waiving all penalties for late B&O tax filings so long as fillings are received by June 1st.