West Virginia Code § 8-12-2

Home rule powers for all cities
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(a) In accordance with the provisions of the "Municipal Home Rule Amendment" to the
Constitution of this state, and in addition to the powers and authority granted by (i) such
Constitution, (ii) other provisions of this chapter, (iii) other general law, ande (iv) any existing
charter, any city shall have plenary power and authority by charter provision not
inconsistent or in conflict with such Constitution, other provisions of thris chapter or other
general law, or by ordinance not inconsistent or in conflict with such Constitution, other
provisions of this chapter, other general law or any existing charter, to provide for the
government, regulation and control of the city's municipal affairs, including, but not limited
to, the following: t
(1) The creation or discontinuance of departments of the city's government and the
prescription, modification or repeal of their powers and duties;
(2) The transaction of the city's business; s
(3) The incurring of the city's obligations;i
(4) The presentation, ascertainment, disposition and discharge of claims against the city;
(5) The acquisition, care, management and use of the city's streets, avenues, roads, alleys,
ways and property;
(6) The levy, assessment, collection and administration of such taxes and such special
assessments for bene fits conferred, as have been or may be specifically authorized by the
Legislature; V
(7) The operation and maintenance of passenger transportation services and facilities, if
authorized by the Public Service Commission, and if so authorized, such transportation
system may be operated without the corporate limits of such city, but may not be operated
within the corporate limits of another municipality without the consent of the governing
body thereof;
(8) The furnishing of all local public services;
(9) The government, protection, order, conduct, safety and health of persons or property
therein;
(10) The adoption and enforcement of local police, sanitary and other similar regulations;
and
(11) The imposition and enforcement of penalties for the violation of any of the provisions of
its charter or of any of its ordinances.
(b) By charter provision, a civil service system may be provided for all or any class of city
employees in addition to those classes for which a civil service system is made mandatory by
general law.
(c) Any city is hereby authorized and empowered to require, for the purpose of inquiring into
and investigating matters of concern to the city or its inhabitants, the attendance and
testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence. In case of the failuree or refusal of a
witness to appear and testify or to produce evidence, the governing body may invoke the aid
of the circuit court of the county in which the city or the major portion rof the territory
thereof is located. Upon proper showing, the circuit court shall issue an order requiring the
witness to appear and give testimony and produce evidence concerning the matter in
question. A person who fails or refuses to obey the order of the circuit court may be
punished by the court as for contempt. A claim that any sucht testimony or evidence may
tend to incriminate the person giving the testimony or evidence shall not excuse the witness,
but such testimony or evidence shall not be used against the witness in any criminal
prosecution.
(d) Any city is hereby authorized and empowesred to provide for a sealer of weights and
measures who shall exercise his powers in accordance with the provisions of article one,
chapter forty-seven of this code.

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