Marching Through History, The County Budget & Zoning Changes
Published 2 days ago • 7 min read
The Observer Weekly
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June 12, 2025
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.
Festivities At Morgan’s Grove Park Mark 250 Years Of History
Trouble was brewing in June 1775 when the Continental Congress took two key steps to prepare for the battles to come — it put out a call for 10 companies of riflemen from around the colonies and it appointed the 43 year-old George Washington, a young, but experienced soldier from Virginia, to head this new “American Army.” The Virginia Colony was asked to supply two of the rifle companies. In Mecklenburg (the original name for Shepherdstown), Hugh Stephenson took charge and had 98 men equipped and trained by mid-July.
The men assembled just outside of town at Morgan’s Spring on July 17, 1775. Twenty-five days later, after a 600 mile march, the men arrived in Cambridge (Massachusetts) and presented themselves to General Washington. Because of the speed at which they travelled, their march was immediately dubbed the "Bee Line March," and that nickname has stuck through the years.
The company that made the Bee Line March is of particular significance for three reasons: it was among the first of the ten companies to reach Washington's encampment, it is probably the best documented of any of the ten companies because of a detailed diary that was kept by one of its members, and the starting place of its march to Cambridge is likely the only starting place of any of the ten companies that can be identified reliably today.
This Saturday, June 14, the community will assemble to commemorate this call to arms with a full day of events at Morgan’s Grove Park outside of Shepherdstown. The day’s events will include
Music by the West Virginia University Mountaineer Fifes and Drums;
Military drills and musket and rifle demonstrations by members of the Sons of the American Revolution in period military dress;
The West Virginia National Guard's 201st Field Artillery Regiment with a display of historical materials and artillery pieces;
18th Century games for children; and
Food trucks offering barbeque, soft drinks, and ice cream for purchase.
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County Commission Plans To Use Capital Funds To Cover Deficit
After several flush years, the County budget looks as if it will be a bit tight over the next several years.
The Observer’s analysis shows that the County had a surplus in its operating budget (as defined by the WV State Auditor’s Office) for the past several years. This surplus allowed the County Commission to accumulate almost $18 million in the Capital Outlay fund. Based on numbers released by the Commission, The Observer’s analysis shows an operating deficit for the next several years (as shown in the chart below, with green indicating surplus and red indicating deficit).
The Commission plans to take on $16 million in debt and allocate $7.5 million from the Capital Outlay fund to purchase the buildings that will serve as the future county administration and judicial center. It plans to use another $2.5 million from the Capital Outlay fund to renovate the Lawrence Street building that will house county offices (the funding plan to renovate the George Street building for use as a judicial center is not yet finalized).
The debt service for the buildings (recorded on the County books as “rent”) will cost an estimated $1.2 million per year for the next 20 years. The Commission plans to transfer another $2 million from the Capital Outlay fund to cover the first two years of this debt expense.
According to the numbers shared by the Commission during its budget deliberations, after accounting for the $12 million designated for the new buildings plus the amounts previously designated for other projects, the Capital Outlay fund will have approximately $1 million of unencumbered funds remaining.
In addition to the Capital Outlay fund, the County also maintains an operating reserve in its General Fund. The County’s budget forecasts $6 million in the General Fund to start the fiscal year on July 1, 2025. If the County’s current expenses continue to exceed its current revenues as projected, that General Fund reserve would be depleted by 2030.
A message from Contemporary American Theater Festival
CATF invites you to the world premiere of Kevin Kling: Unraveled. Kevin weaves stories as he’s constantly looking for patterns and intersections that connect us with one another and the world. Kevin unravels the threads that led him to an unexpected destination. There’s the trip that you plan and the trip that you take. Go on this trip with Kevin and experience the four other world premieres during the Contemporary American Theater Festival’s 2025 Season, July 11 – August 3. Tickets online at CATF.org.
Planning Commission To Look At Zoning, Solar & Data Centers
With the updated Comprehensive Plan in place, the Jefferson County Planning Commission is turning to the even bigger task of updating the county’s Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations.
Where the Comprehensive Plan provides broad guidance for future growth throughout the county, the Zoning Ordinance provides the specific rules that apply to each property in the county and the Subdivision Regulations govern the process and approvals required for development projects.
During the last couple of meetings, the Planning Commission has scheduled several updates that it will discuss over the next few months. The process will involve staff proposals, review by the Commission, and public hearings. You can expect opportunities for public comment on the following topics at the July 8 and August 12 Planning Commission meetings:
Updates to the Zoning Ordinance for industrial solar projects
Addition to the Zoning Ordinance to regulate data centers
Updates to the Subdivision Regulation regarding requirements for archeological surveys
Addition of a new “Rural Residential” district in the Zoning Ordinance
While it tackles these topics, the Planning Commission also continues to debate how much public comment it wants to hear. Several years ago, during its discussions on the solar zoning ordinance, the Planning Commission eliminated the general public comment period at its meetings in favor of item-specific comment periods.
At its June 10 meeting this week, the Commission asked the Planning staff to update the policies that govern how the Commission conducts public hearings. Along with consolidating several policies into a single document, the Commission asked the staff to include a 90-minute overall limit on public comment per agenda item.
The attempt to limit public comment has caused concern among at least one organization that regularly attends and comments at Jefferson County public meetings. According to the Jefferson County Foundation, “in attempting to limit public hearings and public workshops to a particular time limit, the Planning Commission has usurped the processes necessary to change ordinances, regulations, or bylaws, and acted outside the four corners of its authority set by the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations.”
The proposed comment limit likely will be on the agenda for the July 8 Planning Commission meeting, but it is unclear whether the public will be allowed to comment on the topic at that meeting.
Highlights of upcoming events around Jefferson County:
Burned Bridges Book Launch & Signing — New York Times bestselling author John Gilstrap returns to the Eastern Panhandle to launch Burned Bridges, the first book in his new Irene Rivers thriller series (Four Seasons Books, 114 West German St., Shepherdstown). Gilstrap will be in conversation with local media personality Rob Mario. Friday, June 13, 6 pm - 8:30 pm. Tickets and Info…
Movie in the Park: The Wild Robot — Bring chairs and blankets for a family-friendly movie night at the AMP in Sam Michaels Park (235 Sam Michaels Lane, Shenandoah Junction). Concessions available for purchase. Friday, June 13. Gates open 7:30 pm. Movie begins approximately 8:30 pm. Free. Info…
WV Fest 2025 — Annual celebration features live music, 100+ vendors, beer garden, kids zone, “Are You Smarter” contest in downtown Charles Town (101 East Washington St., Charles Town). Saturday, June 14, 10 am - 5 pm. Free. Info…
Bee Line March 250th Anniversary Celebration — All-day family-friendly event at Morgan’s Grove Park (4198 Kearneysville Pike, Shepherdstown) to mark 250th anniversary of one of the most significant Revolutionary War events in local history. Saturday, June 14, 10 am - 4 pm. Free. Info…
Movie in the Park: My Neighbor Totoro — Bring chairs, blankets, and picnics to Morgan’s Grove Park for a family-friendly movie night (4198 Kearneysville Pike, Shepherdstown). Concessions for sale by Alma Bea Restaurant. Proceeds to benefit Shepherdstown Community Club. Saturday, June 14, 7 pm - 10 pm (movie starts around 8:30 pm). Free. Info…
“The Enchanted Garden” Gala — Roving Peregrine Theater Company holds its annual gala and season announcement at the Black Box Arts Center (113 South Princess St., Shepherdstown). “Enchanted Garden” themed dress optional. Saturday, June 14, 7 pm. Donations. Tickets and Info…
Concert in Shafer Park — Spires Brass Band will perform at Shafer Park (37 Park Drive, Boonsboro). Lawn chairs, blankets, picnics, leashed dogs welcome. Free. Info…
Father’s Day at Brunswick Heritage Museum — Model train exhibits, origami, and a Father’s Day giftmaking craft for kids at the Brunswick Heritage Museum (400 West Potomac St., Brunswick). Sunday, June 15, 1 - 4 pm. Free. Info…
Kevin Sherry Puppets —Part of “Let’s Play at the AMP” family entertainment series at Sam Michaels Park (235 Sam Michaels Lane, Shenandoah Junction). Tuesday, June 17, doors open 6 pm, show starts 7 pm. Free. Info…
Stories in the Park: Juneteenth —Part of a series of enrichment activities for children at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, this event explores the story of the first Juneteenth, the day freedom came to the last of the enslaved individuals in the South. Wednesday, June 18, 10 am - 11:30 am. $10 fee. Tickets & Info…
