Councilmember (First District)· 2023-01-01 to 2026-12-31 (commencing January 1, 2023 and expiring December 31, 2026 per oath-of-office minutes 2023-01-10, citing W. Va. Code §8-9-1)
Joshua D. Rice
Fairmont
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 2
- Total speaking time
- 3:02
- Avg per meeting
- 1:31
- Segments
- 34
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Top issues during term (20)
Morgantown Avenue Stormwater Project
About $7 million of the project falls to Bear Contracting.
Superfund site cleanup
Acquisition estimated at up to $34,080, per a county assessment valuing the land at $21,300.
Republic Services trash contract extension and rate increase
A monthly bill increase is coming at the next council meeting, though the amount wasn't stated.
Mommy Roberts Memorial Bridge repair easement
2026-27 budget amendment and pension costs
Amends the adopted General Fund budget for fiscal year 2026-2027; specific amounts not stated on the record.
Gateway Connector resurfacing and dead trees
The Sallyfield project costs about $271,000.
Flock surveillance cameras in city parks
Roughly $30,000 was spent on five cameras, per the speaker's FOIA request; the county spent $238,000 on about 36.
Comprehensive plan public engagement
No dollar figure is attached yet, but the plan will shape how Fairmont spends public money on growth and improvements over the next five years.
Knights of Pythias Building demolition
Costs are reimbursed by the Marion County Board of Education, so minimal net cost to the city.
Park Drive stormwater project
About a $1 million project, with engineering costs federally approved and capital funding still being pursued.
Blight and housing quality
A fee could generate revenue for the agency, but collection challenges make the actual yield highly uncertain.
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Alleged robbery complaint and notice of lawsuit
The city faces a pending lawsuit over the alleged police inaction.
Firefighter retention and DROP program
Sewer system design bond anticipation notes ($4 million)
Up to $4 million borrowed for design work, with ratepayer money meant to be spent efficiently on the eventual bigger construction package.
Team Fairmont Mini Grant program
Up to $21,000 in total grant funding for community projects.
Washington Street Reopening and Gateway Connector
The project would likely use public funds for design and construction, but the source doesn’t include a cost estimate.
Windmill Park and Mini Park Improvements
The manager said this investment will eclipse all previous Windmill Park investments.
Flock camera contract and surveillance concerns
Decisions during term (79)
Recorded while Rice was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of minutes (October 13, 2026)
Adoption — bridge temporary construction easement ordinance
Adoption — Big John Salvage acquisition ordinance
Adoption — 2026-2027 general fund budget amendment resolution
Reappointment — James Spatafore, Human Rights Commission
Excuse Councilmember Nuzum
Approval of September 22, 2026 meeting minutes
Ordinance No. 2113 — Knights of Pythias demolition agreement with Marion County Board of Education
Ordinance No. 2114 — Republic Services contract extension with rate increase
First reading — Spanky Roberts Memorial Bridge temporary construction easement
First reading — Big John Salvage site acquisition and river remediation ordinance
Adjournment
Approval of September 8, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes
Postpone Lamar Companies lease public hearing indefinitely
Adopt Ordinance No. 2111 — City Code replacement pages
Adopt Ordinance No. 2112 — Share 2025 Byrne JAG grant with Marion County
Postpone Lamar lease ordinance indefinitely
Introduction and public hearing set — Knights of Pythias demolition agreement
Introduction and public hearing set — Republic Services contract extension with 11.2% rate increase
Adopt resolution endorsing Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival
Voting record (24)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.