City Clerk​
The City Clerk is appointed by the City of Bluefield Board of Directors to be the custodian of all city records and legal documents. The clerk also records official actions of the Board of Directors and its appointed boards and commissions, codifies the city code, administers oaths of office, handles Freedom of Information Act requests, and serves as a notary public for the City of Bluefield. The City Code of Ordinances can be found here. In addition, the city clerk also acts as the chief election officer for municipal elections which involves acceptance of fees and registration of qualified applicants, securing voting places, printing of ballots, obtaining supplies, selection of poll workers, proper procedures for absentee voting, and certification of results.
The City of Bluefield operates under the guidelines of the City Charter and Code of Ordinances. Within the Code of Ordinances, the city has established a form of government led by a City Board of Directors. The City Board of Directors employ officers of the city, including: a city manager, a city clerk, a treasurer, a city solicitor (attorney), a community and economic development director, and judges of the police court. The Board of Directors appoints the city manager to serve as the administrative head of municipal government and they provide policy direction for the city manager, board officers, and employees of the City of Bluefield.
Licenses​ Business/Animal​
Steps for obtaining a City Business License:
​
-
Register your business with the State of West Virginia. Visit www.business4wv or travel to Beckley to apply at the WV State Tax Department located at 407 Neville Street, Suite 109 Beckley, WV (304.256.6764) or pick up a WV State Tax Department packet to be mailed from the City Clerk.
-
Register your business with the City of Bluefield. You will need to complete an application for a City of Bluefield, WV business license. Turn in a completed form with a copy of your state registration to the City Clerk. General Business Licenses are valid from July 1 to June 30 and must be renewed in July of each year. The cost is $20. Depending on the type of business you intend to operate, other licenses and fees may apply.
-
If applicable a copy of WV Contractors License
-
If applicable a copy of WV Health Permit
-
If applicable a copy of ABC License from the State of WV
Municipal Elections​
Welcome to the City Clerk voting and election information page. The June 3, 2025, municipal election offers residents an opportunity to vote for the Bluefield Board of Directors. This election is for District I, II and III seats. The polling location on election day is the Herb Sims Center located at 1780 Stadium Drive. Polls will be open on Election Day from 6:30 AM until 7:30 PM. Early voting is held at City Hall located at 200 Rogers St from May 21 until May 31 included Saturday May 24 and 31 from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
​
Pursuant to Part I of the City Charter:
​
Sec. 6. - Election Times; Regulations; Providing for Voter Registration
​
Effective with the June 6, 2017 election for board of directors, the two at-large candidates elected shall serve a term of two years and the three district candidates elected shall serve a term of four years. Thereafter, beginning with the June 2019 at-large election, such elections for at-large members of the board of directors shall be held every four years on the first Tuesday in June for terms of four years. District elections shall continue to be held every four years on the first Tuesday in June. Elections for a board of directors shall be held as provided by chapter three of the Code of West Virginia insofar as the same is applicable and in such manner as may be ordained by the board of directors not inconsistent with the general election laws of this state. All other elections or votes on any question by the qualified voters of said city shall be held or taken at such places under the superintendency of such person and subject to such regulations as are consistent with the laws of the state and ordained by the board of directors. The board of directors shall by ordinance, provide for such regulations for the registration of voters as may be rendered necessary by state law.
​
Sec. 7. - Governing Body
Said city shall have a board of directors of five members. Except for the two-year term of the elected at-large members at the 2017 election, as provided in Section 6, all directors shall serve for a term of four years and until their successors are elected and have qualified, unless sooner removed from office. They shall be residents of the city and qualified voters therein. The board of directors shall appoint, within ten days after their election, one of their number as their chairman or presiding officer, who shall be known officially as mayor of the city and recognized as such for ceremonial purposes and for the purpose of being served with civil processes against the city, and for the performance of all duties imposed upon him by this charter. A majority vote of all the members of the board of directors elected shall be necessary for the election of such chairman, The mayor shall hold his office as such at the pleasure of the board of directors.
The board of directors shall promulgate, maintain and enforce for themselves and all of the other officers and employees of the city an ordinance prohibiting conflicts of interest. Any member of the board violating such ordinance shall be automatically removed from office.
Important Dates & Deadlines
Candidate Filing Opens Tuesday, March 17 at 8 a.m.
Candidate Filing Closes Monday, April 4 at 4:30 p.m.
Candidate Withdrawal Deadline Monday, April 7
Last Day to Register to Vote May 13
Early voting begins Wednesday, May 21 at 8 a.m.
By-mail Absentee Ballot Application Deadline Wednesday, May 28 at 4:30 p.m.
Early voting ends Saturday, May 31 at 5 p.m.
Regular Municipal Election Day
Tuesday, June 3
Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Monday, June 9 at 9 a.m. Canvass of Votes​​