[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6361658,"mediaKeyId","2170443-b170fbf836a16766f915a2efffaf94aa","parentId",2170443,"title","County hears budget requests, program updates from Main Street, Hospice, Roundhouse, Little League and other nonprofits","audioSeconds",8825,"startMs",5095000,"endMs",13920000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170443-b170fbf836a16766f915a2efffaf94aa&start=5095&end=13920","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170443-b170fbf836a16766f915a2efffaf94aa/thumbnail_5095000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361658/Berkeley-County/West-Virginia/County-hears-budget-requests-program-updates-from-Main-Street-Hospice-Roundhouse-Little-League-and-other-nonprofits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361658-29786037f80c14107c6af756273081d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203851&Signature=X4xbEsweGvaukaF8QYDWhWfdPl4eKlUBD5bKY3enKrY-9nUdoUxIZKOwsn2Pkieg7LPtqT8XaMC-mCqMiQ236CzUZJZE7oSIhgCpilC-RcMLp549IzX0X68L42N~dix73ycCgg9MXN4tYFnK7~8ZcC9NbAPk5khIf~ocnLTYCY-UE5brKYFtIY0MY3RAqJr2kOpsOYcn8Xd4V9B13qlN~GO9AcMKu-S4Hxqp0w5cyOHxhkFmGrhh9T73OJQPBpVkYCjLNWAFfNj1rtFCa1JV6urXkckJwK~QzU299eady8pxPVKCwzBjOGEwKoTNQZrdzHMkOPMjV3ewxUT8UsF4BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-30T21:26:32Z","article","Several nonprofit and community organizations briefed the Berkeley County Commission on Jan. 30 and presented funding requests or program updates as the county's FY26 budget process begins.

Main Street Martinsburg: Robbie Blair, director of Main Street Martinsburg, thanked the county and city for ongoing support and described 2024 as a strong event year. Blair said the group estimated more than 40,000 nonresident visitors attended marquee events and that the group finished 2024 “in the green” despite revenue dips; he asked for continued funding to retain staff needed to meet Main Street America benchmarks.

Hospice of the Panhandle: Deputy Development Director Maria Laurenson presented Hospice of the Panhandle’s 2024 impact report. Hospice reported serving more than 1,300 patients countywide last year and more than 5,000 in its inpatient facility since it opened; Laurenson said hospice and the hospice-run Panhandle Palliative Services help families earlier in the care trajectory and that 25% of patients are veterans. Laurenson said a new county-funded transportation van (received through the legislature) will be equipped for a stretcher and begin service March 1 to reduce delays in moving patients between facilities.

Roundhouse Authority: The Roundhouse Authority chairman requested $35,000 to cover expected insurance premiums and related costs while the authority works to generate year-round revenue and complete capital improvements. Authority staff said recent legislative and grant support is enabling design and inspection work needed to bid larger capital projects (market pavilion, accessibility upgrades); the $35,000 request reflects an estimated premium increase tied to building improvements.

Martinsburg Little League: The league’s longtime president (Dr. Quinn) asked the county to consider a $100,000 contribution toward turfing a heavily used Oakdale (Oatesdale) field; the total estimated project cost is about $244,000–$250,000, with the league seeking about $150,000 from the city and $100,000 from county or external grants. League leaders said turf has sharply reduced rainouts and ongoing maintenance and increases safety and tournaments that bring in out-of-area visitors.

Apollo Theatre: Aubrey Urban, executive director of the Apollo, requested $30,000 to pay for a handicap lift and to replace aging sprinklers to meet insurance and safety requirements; Urban said the lift will allow ADA access to the theatre lobby and second-floor spaces.

Apollo, Roundhouse and others said improved facilities have already increased event attendance and downtown activity and asked the commission to consider targeted one-time or operating support as the groups pursue grant and private-match funding.

Other requests and updates: Community Alternatives to Violence described a 32-week battering intervention program that serves as a court-affiliated supervision alternative and said its caseload grew after COVID and now runs at more than 200 participants; the Morgan Cabin Association and the Historic Landmarks Commission requested modest maintenance and preservation funding for long-standing historic properties and programs (audio kiosk, signage, exterior sealer, interior electrical updates and tree/shrub work).

What’s next: Commissioners did not take formal funding votes at the meeting; department and budget staff will fold requests into the FY26 review and return to the commission during the budget process for formal appropriations decisions.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Berkeley County Commission Meeting 1/30/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Nonprofit directors and volunteers briefed the Berkeley County Commission on Jan. 30 with program updates and funding requests that county staff will consider during the FY26 budget cycle.","taxTitle","Berkeley County, West Virginia","taxId",58957,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6361664,"Commission adopts revised subdivision ordinance, sets public hearing on updated comprehensive plan",602,2388000,2990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170443-b170fbf836a16766f915a2efffaf94aa&start=2388&end=2990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170443-b170fbf836a16766f915a2efffaf94aa/thumbnail_2388000.jpg","/articles/6361664/Berkeley-County/West-Virginia/Commission-adopts-revised-subdivision-ordinance-sets-public-hearing-on-updated-comprehensive-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361664-74be5b8452a3c04ccfe648436d66244a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203851&Signature=BGGNiwXV9mpKXa1YYFxUxlsUDn~yYiVXxBljJkMjilZ6HxOIvGeyx32FBVWXnwZsiyBPegzPma2BzwYuXRPxNy6WCBancqF-s9TzikQUhihcfOwTT~bxu5pPcayIAC2FYvnHiDGHRET--zhAywpccZaLKjzezVZ-12lIxT-Ko0Cl9N8HqEmyHMY4zF435ZnnPBjIWjLmm~S54C0DJC44gzxfJ2ijmTmarbpPC~zrvTLp~AldbvaVICKfRO~GmyI39~t1urhVIfGGoCzrqSSSkz-~CvirbQZJ2epLAf8IZIluZYullxesCjRZq52rLxAY6X24bkPv~-BI4kfQM90jOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Berkeley County Commission on Jan. 30 voted to adopt a revised Berkeley County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and scheduled a public hearing on an updated comprehensive plan.

Why it matters: The revised subdivision ordinance and the updated comprehensive plan steer local land-use decisions, development review, and give the county the authority to impose certain fees under state law. The commission must act on the comprehensive plan within 90 days of receipt; commissioners set the public hearing to meet statutory notice requirements.

Adoption of revised subdivision ordinance: Community Development Director Bridal Ross and Senior Planner Laura Hockmaster presented the revised Berkeley County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and thanked staff and stakeholder groups for their work. The commission voted to adopt the revised ordinance effective Jan. 30, 2025. Laura Hockmaster told the commission the revisions were primarily updates and clerical cleanup: \"Substance wasn't changed at all,\" she said.

Comprehensive plan next steps: Planning staff said the planning commission recommended the new comprehensive plan; the county has 90 days to act. Staff explained the Local Powers Act requires more frequent updates (every five years rather than ten) if the county wishes to impose fees such as an impact fee. Commissioners discussed a schedule and set a public hearing for Feb. 20, 2025; staff will publish the required 15-day notice and return with the public hearing record.

Context and implementation notes: Planning staff said the recent updates used 2020 census data and that only chapters 3 and 5A had substantive edits; other edits were clerical (agency name changes, date updates). Commissioners directed staff to publish notice and bring materials back for the scheduled hearing; the commission must adopt, amend or reject the plan after the public hearing or return it to the planning commission for further review.

","The commission adopted a revised Berkeley County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance effective Jan. 30, 2025, and set a public hearing for the county's updated comprehensive plan within the statutory 90-day review window — the commission scheduled the hearing for Feb. 20, 2025.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":79,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6361669,"Berkeley County codifies retiree PEIA contributions, narrows future coverage to employees only",850,3840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170443-b170fbf836a16766f915a2efffaf94aa&start=2990&end=3840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170443-b170fbf836a16766f915a2efffaf94aa/thumbnail_2990000.jpg","/articles/6361669/Berkeley-County/West-Virginia/Berkeley-County-codifies-retiree-PEIA-contributions-narrows-future-coverage-to-employees-only","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361669-d16d60821c1effad286f4321bc072838/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203851&Signature=G9lkZ4RWXBKDzvHYmIrwVRF4FpKApVLECRFlDgKOWqlK643w0gzOLd653aYr5pql5FjJ4C9tMzTLesiJfI1ZThE-R9L30fPbS4J24p3WYT8GHvc3Tu~ylbl~Xen95t6dts-eBGx4lkGm6v2ggefsTQPDERNzhiLpBDVWP15mmv23sDFj~KWCB6-LUdd2wEOvSVB4zKnnPU46Z-PvGJtqK8KP~XrtPMRq3GjBSfjgxH0Djm9KgNu4v7YkJ8w42fsqN9ORXhhAWiNbzIbmvX-cago9GBfsIFICtyoPeYuSV1xCvDEaECGEtc3-x27dM1NoGEFRKPMKpcN9VhvjXBqnMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy County Administrator Jay Wainbrenner told the Berkeley County Commission on Jan. 30 that the county would codify a long-standing practice of paying the employer share of Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) coverage for eligible retirees, but that commissioners decided to limit future county-paid coverage to the retired employee only.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the change aims to preserve the benefit for retired employees while limiting future budget exposure on increasingly costly family coverage. Commissioners emphasized the policy will not remove coverage from people already receiving the county-paid PEIA benefit.

Wainbrenner said the county had participated in PEIA briefly in the 1990s and that employees who worked for the county during that period (and met eligibility through the West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board) remain eligible to continue PEIA at retirement. \"This policy simply states that we're going to continue to do that at the time of retirement for eligible employees,\" Wainbrenner said, noting the county is not the body that determines eligibility.

Wainbrenner and other staff told the commission the county currently covers 16 retiree PEIA plans each month (11 employee-only and five family plans) and pays roughly $9,418 a month toward those retiree plans. Commissioners debated whether to continue paying family coverage for future retirees, with several saying they did not want to reduce benefits for current retirees but were wary of expanding long-term liabilities.

After discussion, the body voted to adopt a written retired-PEIA contribution policy that formalizes existing practice and, for new retirements going forward, directs the county to pay the employer portion only for the retired employee (not family coverage) unless the family coverage was already in place at retirement. The motion was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote.

What the policy does and does not do: The commissioners and staff said the vote does not strip current retirees of existing benefits; it applies to future retirements. Wainbrenner reiterated that eligibility determinations remain the responsibility of the Consolidated Public Retirement Board and PEIA; the county's role is to decide whether to pay the employer share when paperwork is presented.

Next steps: Staff will publish the new policy in county policy documents and apply it to future retirements. Commissioners suggested continuing periodic reviews as health-care costs change.

","County commissioners voted to adopt a written policy formally continuing the longstanding practice of paying the employer share of PEIA coverage for eligible retirees, and amended the practice going forward to cover retirees only (not spouses or family) unless otherwise already enrolled.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County hears budget requests, program updates from Main Street, Hospice, Roundhouse, Little League and other nonprofits

Commission adopts revised subdivision ordinance, sets public hearing on updated comprehensive plan

Berkeley County codifies retiree PEIA contributions, narrows future coverage to employees only