For our first story of the year, we take a look at the key issues likely to dominate the County Commission’s discussions as it works on next year’s budget.
We’ve also been tracking several local utility rate cases now under review by the WV Public Service Commission. In today’s story, we break down how two different methods of setting water and sewer rates work — and what they could mean for customers’ monthly bills.
Commission Can Expect Tough Budget Choices This Year
The Jefferson County Commission is entering budget season facing several financial pressures as they plan for the FY2027 fiscal year, which will begin on July 1, 2026.
The county’s current FY2026 operating budget totals $41.6 million. Rising costs for emergency services, new facilities, and staffing are likely to push spending needs up against a state-imposed cap on property-tax revenue growth. Some of the key issues:
Funding the County Ambulance Service — The Commission is now in its second year of providing ambulance services as a county department, operating 5 ambulances 24 hours a day plus 1 additional ambulance on the day shift. The department struggled last year to balance its staffing needs for that service commitment with the budget approved by the Commission. At the end of the year the Commission briefly discussed whether the ambulance fee will need to increase — to cover not just the existing level of service, but to expand coverage for Bakerton, Middleway, and the Mountain.
Funding for Fire Services — Although the county’s 7 volunteer fire companies have primary responsibility for fire response services, the county employees who staff the ambulance service are covering the majority of fire calls, particularly during the day shift. This demand on county resources is driving calls for the County Commission to look at funding additional positions to ensure both services have adequate staffing. The county hired a consultant last year to provide recommendations on this issue in early 2026.
New Buildings For The County — In July 2025, the County Commission purchased two buildings to house its administrative offices and the county court systems. Until the existing office buildings are vacated, the Commission will be paying utility expenses for both the old and new buildings. The current timeline has the county moving its administrative offices in phases during 2026, but so far the only specific relocation plans approved by the Commission are for the County Clerk’s office and the maintenance department).
A State-Imposed Cap on Property Tax — State law caps how much the Commission can increase property taxes each year, limiting the total increase to 1 percent of the existing tax base. New construction can expand the tax base each year, but those properties also become subject to the 1 percent cap in the year after they are first taxed.
The Bottom Line
A significant portion of the County’s operating budget is spending required by state law, so with revenue increases capped, the commissioners may be having some tough conversations about their funding priorities for the rest of the budget.
A message from the Skinner Law Firm
The Worst Intersections in Jefferson County
Our own Stephen Skinner sat down with Lyn Widmyer to talk about our Most Dangerous Intersections series and what it means for safety in Jefferson County. With new growth bringing more traffic, the risks are rising. Please watch the video to learn more and ways to share concerns with the WV Department of Highways.
Skinner Law Firm is responsible for this ad. 115 E Washington St., Charles Town WV 25414
How Water and Sewer Utilities Pay For Improvements
Rate proposals from two local water and sewer utilities are currently pending before the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC). The Observer’s review of these proposals highlights how the utilities’ different approaches to paying for their infrastructure affect the bills paid by consumers.
The CTUB Approach — Developers Pay To Connect
The Charles Town Utility Board (CTUB) provides water and sewer service within the city limits and sewer-only service to Ranson and nearby areas of the county. It operates under a principle of “growth pays for growth” and it charges up-front fees for developers to connect to its systems.
CTUB has proposed increasing the “capacity improvement fee” it charges for new construction to connect to both its water and sewer systems. The proposed fee change would reduce the water connection fee and increase the sewer connection fee, based on projections for the cost of providing the capacity to service those connections.
For new construction that connects to both CTUB water and sewer, the proposed fee changes largely offset each other, resulting in little net change to the total connection cost. However, for sewer-only connections— in other words, for new construction that receives water service from West Virginia American Water (WVAW) — the sewer connection fee would roughly double.
The WVAW Approach — Customers Pay The Bill
West Virginia American Water provides water-only service in Ranson and nearby areas of the county. The company currently has two increases under review. The first, filed in May 2025, proposes a two-step increase for its water service rates:
A 15.1 percent increase effective March 2026
A 5.7 percent increase effective March 2027
In a separate filing to the PSC in June 2025, WVAW also requested an increase in the “distribution system improvement fee,” an additional surcharge above the water service rates it charges all customers.
WVAW operates across the state with a single tariff, spreading the cost of all of its system upgrades across its entire customer base. Since it does not charge developers up front, the company is allowed to recover the cost of all system improvements directly from its customers through its monthly billing.
PSC Allows Utilities Cover Their Investments
The PSC allows utilities to recover the cost of building, maintaining, and operating their systems but does not mandate a specific method for allocating those costs.
CTUB’s approach places a greater share of system expansion costs on new development, resulting in lower ongoing costs for existing customers. WVAW’s approach spreads infrastructure costs over time but places a larger burden on monthly bills paid by customers.
The WVAW rate proposal is being reviewed by the PSC under its general oversight authority. The PSC is reviewing the CTUB fee proposal in response to a complaint filed by two development companies. The PSC is expected to issue final decisions in both cases within the next few months.
A message from Divergent Mechanical
At Divergent Mechanical, we’re committed to doing things differently — and doing them better. Homeowners are frustrated with big-company pressure tactics and techs who can’t fix anything without calling corporate. We’re the opposite. Our team is personable, experienced, and focused on getting the job done right the first time. From HVAC repairs to plumbing solutions, we bring honesty, craftsmanship, and real problem-solving — right here in Shepherdstown.
Jefferson County Commission — Pasha Majdi will serve a second term as commission president for 2026. Cara Keys will serve as vice president for 2026.
January 13 — The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public meeting to present an arsenic and lead cleanup plan for the Birdhill subdivision. The meeting will begin at noon on Wednesday, January 13 at the Shepherdstown Public Library (145 Higbee Lane, Shepherdstown). Lennar/U.S. Homes plans to build 720 homes on the 195 acre former orchard site. Copies of the cleanup plan documents will be available at the meeting.
January 22 — The Jefferson County Commission will hold public hearings for several zoning ordinance amendments. The amendments include definitions and regulations for three new zoning districts: Rural Residential, Residential Commercial, and Office Commercial. The Commission will also be conducting a public hearing on proposed changes to the county’s regulations for identifying and preserving historic resources. All of the hearings will take place during the Commission’s regular meeting on Thursday, Jan 22, which begins at 6 pm in the new County Government Building meeting room (393 North Lawrence St, Charles Town — entrance is on the right side of the building).
A working group to review land use rules for the western part of Loudoun County, appointed by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is half way through the two and a half year project according to a recent report by Loudoun Now. The review covers issues related to supporting small farm operations, agricultural processing operations, breweries, distilleries, wineries, stables, and other outdoor recreation activities.
Visit ObserverWV.com for news about upcoming government and community meetings.
A message from the Shepherdstown Opera House
“Rounding Third” is a funny, heartwarming play about two dads who battle across a generational divide about their approaches to Little League coaching and fatherhood. Presented by Town Run Theater Company at the Shepherdstown Opera House, this fast-paced, family-friendly comedy plays out over a baseball season full of laughs, nostalgia, and a few unexpected life lessons that hit home for kids and adults.
Highlights of upcoming events around Jefferson County:
Puzzle Club — Social puzzle-solving gathering for adults and teens. MCC Library, 58 Mission Road, Harpers Ferry. Friday, Jan 2, 7 - 9 pm. Free. Info…
Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5 — New film by Raoul Peck explores the modern-day relevant of George Orwell’s work and warnings about authoritarianism. Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St, Shepherdstown. Sunday, Jan 4, 3 pm. Pay-What-You-Can. Tickets & Info…
Capital Carillon Concert — D.C.’s premier handbell choir presents a Twelfth Night Eve Concert. Christ Reformed Church, 12 South Church St, Middletown, MD. Sunday, Jan 4, 7 pm. Info…
All Ages Storytime — Interactive storytime program for children and their caregivers. Bolivar–Harpers Ferry Public Library, 151 Polk St, Harpers Ferry. Tuesday, Jan 6, 10:30 - 11 am. Free. Info…
Shepherd Rams Basketball Double-Header — Men’s and women’s basketball games against Lock Haven University. Butcher Athletic Center, 478 West Campus Dr, Shepherdstown. Wednesday, Jan 7, 5:30 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Storytime in the Dale — Storytime program for young children featuring books, songs, and movement. MCC Library, 58 Mission Road, Harpers Ferry. Thursday, Jan 8, 10:15 am. Free. Info…
St. Isidore Market — Community market offering locally produced food and goods. St. James Church, 49 Crosswinds Dr, Charles Town. Thursday, Jan 8, 5 - 6:30 pm. Free. Info…
Think You Have The Answers? — Local Trivia Events
Friday, Jan 2, 7 pm — Trivia competition hosted by the Appalachian Snail Market & Cafe, 970 West Washington Street, Harpers Ferry. Free. Info…
Tuesday, Jan 6, 7 pm — Weekly trivia competition on Tuesdays at Rumsey Tavern, 233 Lowe Drive, Shepherdstown. Info…
Tuesday, Jan 6, 7 pm — Weekly trivia competitions on Tuesdays at Paddy’s Irish Pub, 210 West Liberty Street, Charles Town. Info…
You'll want to look for the signs if you are driving to the new school — the address is 545 Shepherdstown Campus Blvd, Shepherdstown according to Jefferson County Schools, but that location is not yet showing correctly in Google maps.
Every week, The Observer digs into the details that matter in Jefferson County. Our content is free for everyone to read, but producing well-researched local news isn’t free.
