Jefferson County Commissioners to Convene Special Session for FY 2027 Budget Discussions

Jefferson County Commissioners have scheduled a special session to begin the comprehensive review and discussion of the Fiscal Year 2027 county budget. The meeting is set to take place on Friday, March 20, 2026, commencing at 9:00 a.m. in the County Commission Meeting Room, located within the Jefferson County Government Complex at 393 N. Lawrence Street in Charles Town, West Virginia. Residents interested in observing the proceedings can also participate remotely via a live Zoom broadcast.

The agenda for this crucial session outlines a detailed plan to address the county’s financial future. The meeting will open with a call to order and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by any necessary announcements, including potential amendments to the agenda. The core of the special session will be dedicated to an in-depth examination of the county’s fiscal landscape. This will include a presentation on the “State of the County,” providing an overview of current conditions and future outlook. A significant portion of the morning will be devoted to a thorough review of county revenues, encompassing historical data and projections for Fiscal Year 2027.

Following the initial overview and revenue analysis, the Commissioners will commence a review of departmental budget requests. This segment of the meeting is structured to allow for dedicated time with representatives from various county agencies. Beginning at 10:00 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office, represented by Tom Hansen, will present its budgetary needs. At 10:30 a.m., Laura Kuhn will discuss the requirements for Fleet and Facilities Maintenance. Adam Ward from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is scheduled to present at 11:00 a.m., followed by a presentation from the Libraries at 11:30 a.m. The afternoon session will resume after a lunch break, with Roger Godwin of Planning, Zoning and Engineering presenting at 12:15 p.m., and Daniel Lutz from the WV Conservation Agency at 12:30 p.m. The Health Department’s budget will be presented by Brandon Rhodes at 12:45 p.m.

After a scheduled lunch break from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., the budget discussions will continue. Elaine Bartoldson will present on behalf of the EPTA at 2:00 p.m., and David Bound will represent various Commission Departments at 2:15 p.m. The afternoon is reserved for extensive budget deliberations, where Commissioners will engage in discussions and potentially make decisions on the presented budget requests. The session is expected to conclude at 5:00 p.m. with adjournment.

Residents will have the opportunity to follow the financial planning for their county, which will ultimately shape the services and priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Jefferson County Commission.

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