Charleston Mayor Danny Jones' plan to cut $100,000 from the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department's funding would force the agency to curb vital services, health board members said Tuesday.

Jones called for slashing the city's $200,000 contribution to the department in half. He accused health board members of stalling his proposal to move the health department building to make way for a new downtown hotel.

Health board members defended the agency Tuesday.

"I fail to see how punishing the citizens of Kanawha County by depriving them of services is going to help the situation," said Stephen Weber, a health board member. "Apparently, the mayor wants use of our building and don't let the door hit you on the way out."

The budget reduction also could jeopardize an additional $100,000 in state matching funds, health officials said.

"We'll have to cut back on the services we do to help people," said health board member Brenda Isaac, adding that specific cuts haven't been identified yet. "This is really escalating. I don't know what the mayor is so angry about."

Jones said health board members say they want to move, but don't really mean it.

"They're doing some moonwalking," the mayor said Tuesday. "They act like they're moving forward, but they're actually moving backward."

Earlier this week, Jones recommended that Charleston City Council members slash $100,000 from the health department's budget for the upcoming year. The city normally distributes $200,000 a year to the health agency.

Jones also plans to ask the health department for a full accounting of how it spends the city's funds.

"We want to see the books," the mayor said. "We want to see where this money is going."

Last fall, Jones and Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper suggested that the health department move from its current site across from the Charleston Civic Center. Local developers Kelsey and Angela Harding have expressed interest in buying the health department building and putting a hotel there.

Health board members say they support the move, but need more time. They've hired a consultant, Philip Angel, to identify possible sites - a decision that angered Jones and Carper.

Charleston Mayor Danny Jones' plan to cut $100,000 from the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department's funding would force the agency to curb vital services, health board members said Tuesday.

Jones called for slashing the city's $200,000 contribution to the department in half. He accused health board members of stalling his proposal to move the health department building to make way for a new downtown hotel.

Health board members defended the agency Tuesday.

"I fail to see how punishing the citizens of Kanawha County by depriving them of services is going to help the situation," said Stephen Weber, a health board member. "Apparently, the mayor wants use of our building and don't let the door hit you on the way out."

The budget reduction also could jeopardize an additional $100,000 in state matching funds, health officials said.

"We'll have to cut back on the services we do to help people," said health board member Brenda Isaac, adding that specific cuts haven't been identified yet. "This is really escalating. I don't know what the mayor is so angry about."

Jones said health board members say they want to move, but don't really mean it.

"They're doing some moonwalking," the mayor said Tuesday. "They act like they're moving forward, but they're actually moving backward."

Earlier this week, Jones recommended that Charleston City Council members slash $100,000 from the health department's budget for the upcoming year. The city normally distributes $200,000 a year to the health agency.

Jones also plans to ask the health department for a full accounting of how it spends the city's funds.

"We want to see the books," the mayor said. "We want to see where this money is going."

Last fall, Jones and Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper suggested that the health department move from its current site across from the Charleston Civic Center. Local developers Kelsey and Angela Harding have expressed interest in buying the health department building and putting a hotel there.

Health board members say they support the move, but need more time. They've hired a consultant, Philip Angel, to identify possible sites - a decision that angered Jones and Carper.

"If they can afford a consultant, then maybe they have too much money," Jones said Tuesday.

Last month, Jones said he would not reappoint health board President Dr. Steven Artz when the physician's term expires June 30. Artz has served on the health board for more than 20 years.

Jones wants the health department to move to the third floor of the city-owned Morris Square building beside Appalachian Power Park. City Manager David Molgaard plans to tout that proposal during the health board's regular meeting Thursday afternoon.

Health board members have a list of six proposed sites for the move, and it doesn't include Morris Square. Board members say the former warehouse doesn't have adequate parking, and the third-floor space wouldn't be accessible to the public.

The health department provides everything from flu shots to exams.

Jones sent a city employee to the health department building on Lee Street to count parking spaces Tuesday afternoon. Health officials said the department needs 85 parking spots at its new location.

Jones said the department has only 20 parking spaces now.

Health department administrators said the agency has 59 spaces (20 at the front of the building and 39 behind). The department also leases another 25 spaces at the city-owned parking garage across the street.

"I'm not sure [Jones] has an understanding of all the good things the health department is doing," Isaac said. "I just don't know where this is coming from and why we can't work this out."

The health department expects to spend up to $6 million on the move.

Charleston council members will take a final vote on the proposed 2008-09 budget - which is expected to include the $100,000 health department funding cut - at 6 p.m. Thursday. The health board meeting starts at 4:30 p.m.

To contact staff writer Eric Eyre, use e-mail or call 348-4869.