Opinion ID: 1365643
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Inapplicability of Holdings

Text: Given the extremely limited evidentiary development of this case, we cannot apply the holdings we reach today to this case. For example, there is no factual development regarding the level of control that WVU undertook during the construction phase of the Center. Similarly lacking is any evidence concerning the actual use of the Center at the conclusion of the lease period. Most importantly, however, there is no finding that public funds will be expended in connection with the Center. [23] Accordingly, we cannot, on the basis of the record before us, conclusively find that the Foundation was acting on behalf of WVU when it entered into the contracts at issue. It is one thing to surmise the same; quite another to establish proof of this assumption. While we do not wish to suggest that evidence of outright intent to violate the state's wage laws is required to come within the reaches of our holdings here today, there must be more facts than presented here to permit application of the wage act; the competitive bidding provisions; and the architect/engineering procurement provisions that ACT sought to invoke. Yet another reason to refuse to overturn the lower court's decision is the absence of any evidence demonstrating that the prevailing wage rate was not paid to the workers who built the Center. Given the lack of any prevailing wage payment violations, the extremely late stage of this project suggests futility as far as revisiting issues involving the bidding process and the procurement of certain architect or engineering services. Based upon the findings made by the lower court concerning the lack of any prevailing wage rate violations combined with the lack of any evidence indicating that the contracts at issue were undertaken to avoid application of the wage act, we have no basis from which to conclude that the lower court was in error in granting summary judgment to Appellees. Moreover, without significant factual development, our holdings in this case involving new points of law cannot be applied to this case. Given the manner in which this case reaches us with insufficient evidence of wage violations and a relatively undeveloped record, [24] combined with the finished stage of the project, we deem it improper to remand this case for further development. Accordingly, the decision of the Circuit Court of Kanawha County is hereby affirmed. Affirmed.