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County Commission Makes Early Revision to FY26 Budget
In March, the County Commission appeared excited to announce that it had adopted a “flat budget” for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025 (FY 2026) — keeping spending in the county’s $41 million budget flat at current levels.
Unfortunately, the good news didn’t last. On May 15, the commissioners voted unanimously to add another $900,000 of expenses to the budget.
$350,000 of the change is due to an unexpected increase in insurance rates. During the initial budget planning, the county staff assumed a 4 percent increase in insurance expense, based on information from the county’s insurance consultant. In early May, the Commission staff reported that Highmark, the company that operates the county’s health insurance plan, was now proposing a 45 percent increase in its rates — a cost of roughly $1.5 million. At the May 15 Commission meeting, county staff presented alternatives which reduced the increase to a more manageable $350,000.
Later in the May 15 meeting, David Bound, the county’s chief financial officer, presented a separate expense revision of $569,078 that included funding for several positions that were not included in the March budget, including for a grant writer who the Commission hopes will improve its opportunities to identify and win new state and federal funding.
To keep the budget in balance, the Commissioners voted to reduce the amount assigned to the “contingency” line to offset the new expenses. This change will decrease the amount that will be available to “rollover” into the following year (FY2027) budget — potentially limiting the Commission's ability to fund other projects next year.
>>>Read more...
A message from Shepherd University
Discover a healthier, more active lifestyle at the Shepherd University Wellness Center. Whether you're into pickleball, swimming, lifting weights, or group exercise, our award-winning facility offers something for everyone. With flexible membership options, including discounted rates for Shepherd University staff, faculty, and alumni, it's easy to find a plan that fits your needs. Join today and take the first step toward achieving your wellness goals! www.shepherdwellness.com/
Commission Hopes To Get In The Ballpark Soon With Impact Fees
The Jefferson County Commission will take a third swing at updating impact fees at its June 5 meeting. The Commission planned to take up the issue at its last two meetings, but balked and pulled the item from the agenda after the start of each meeting.
The Commission has stated that it would like impact fees to cover a significant portion of the costs of the two buildings it plans to purchase in downtown Charles Town. How much it can collect is not so clear.
Impact fees are paid by developers when they get building permits for new construction (both residential and commercial) anywhere in the county. In January 2025, the Commission voted to approve new impact fees for building permits issued after June 1. At the time of the January vote, the Commission knew it planned to purchase the 393 North Lawrence Street property for use as a county administration building. When the Commission decided in March also to purchase the 303 North George Street property for use as the county judicial center, it asked its staff to make another update to the impact fees.
The County has contracted with TishlerBise, a consulting firm that specializes in impact fee analysis, to assist with calculating the fees appropriate for the new county buildings. Since mid-April, the Commission has released three draft versions of a revised impact fee study.
The most recent version of the impact fee study (dated May 20, 2025) and additional detail about the Commission’s attempts to calculate these fees is available at ObserverWV.com.
A message from the Shepherdstown Opera House
Come out and dance this Friday night with Ginada Piñata at the Shepherdstown Opera House.
The band is Sam Jannotta (keys), Ken Bussey (guitar), Jesse Shultzaberger (drums) and Matthew Lewis (Bass) and they’ll be bringing their home-grown funk, fusion, and electronica style to the stage for a high-energy show to kick off summertime in Shepherdstown.
Doors open at 7:30 and the show starts at 8:00. All ages. Bring ID for beer & wine purchase.
>>>Info & tickets…
Is Your Creative Student Looking For A Summer Activity?
The Shepherd University School of Music will hold a String Orchestra camp for students in grades 3-12. The camp will take place June 23-27 on the Shepherd campus. Participants should have basic note-reading skills. Violinists should be comfortable playing a two-octave G-major scale; viola and cello students should be comfortable playing a two-octave C major scale.
The University’s School of Music will also offer two Jazz camps that same week, one for grades 6-8 and one for grades 9-12. Jazz camp participants will include individual and group coaching along with combo/improvisation and theory instruction. The music camps will conclude with a concert with the students. For more information and registration, visit Shepherd.edu/music.
The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts has two camps scheduled for the summer. Frida Kahlo: Picturing an Icon is for ages 8-12 and will run from June 16-20. The Adaptive Arts camp for teens age 13-18 runs is scheduled for July 8-10. For more information and registration, visit WCMFA.org.
Events Snapshot: Arts, Culture & Community
Highlights of upcoming events around Jefferson County:
Ginada Piñata — Local band plays high-energy live music with dance floor (Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St, Shepherdstown). Friday, May 30, 8 pm. Info & tickets…
Girl Empowerment Conference — One-day conference with “Glow Up” theme for middle and high school girls. Focus is on career pathways, self-care and empowerment. Presented by nonprofit organization Stars That Shine at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College (13650 Apple Harvest Dr, Martinsburg). Saturday, May 31, 9 am - 2:30 pm. $10 admission. Info & tickets…
Invasive Plant Removal Workshop — Hands-on class presented by Appalachian Trail Conservancy on how to identify and remove Wavyleaf basketgrass, an invasive plant that threatens the biodiversity of local ecosystems (799 Washington St., Harpers Ferry). Saturday, May 31, 10 am. Free. Info…
Summer Reading Challenge Kick-Off — Children, tweens and teens who reside in Jefferson County can sign up for a Summer Reading Challenge at this event presented by Charles Town Library and Charles Town Now with outdoor games and activities provided by Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Mobile Activities Van (200 East Washington St., Charles Town). Saturday, May 31, 10 am - noon. Free. Info…
Brunswick Springfest — Kick off summer in downtown Brunswick with live music, kids activities, and food. Musical line-up on two stages includes The Amish Outlaws and Shade Tree Collective (1 West Potomac St, Brunswick, MD). Saturday, May 31, 10 am - 5 pm. Info…
Rainbow Connections: Building CommUNITY — Pre-Pride daylong series of hourlong events presented by Roving Peregrine Theater Company, with family-friendly events earlier in the day and adult-oriented events in the afternoon/evening (Black Box Arts Center, 113 S. Princess St., Shepherdstown). Saturday, May 31, 10 am - June 1, 1 am. Most events are free or donation. Info…
Kinky Boots — Movie musical filmed on the London stage presented by the Shepherdstown Opera House (131 West German St., Shepherdstown). Recommended for ages 13+. Saturday, May 31, 7 pm. Info & tickets...
En Famille — Concert presented by Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra featuring internationally renowned husband-and-wife guest musicians (Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, Shepherdstown). Saturday, May 31, 7:30 pm and Sunday, June 1, 3 pm. Info & tickets…
1st Annual Shepherdstown Gay Pride Parade — Parade will kick off Pride month with a theme of “Historic Firsts” featuring Rosemary Ketchum, the first out transgender person elected in West Virginia, local and regional groups, and others marching along German Street in Shepherdstown. Sunday, June 1, 6 pm. Info…
Tell us about your event — email Explore@ObserverWV.com.
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