[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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",6147475,"mediaKeyId","5520917-bf530a13d4680eafbd54cb1e2b11205a","parentId",5520917,"title","Out‑of‑state producers pitch multi‑film projects to Berkeley County leaders","audioSeconds",492,"startMs",548000,"endMs",1040000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5520917-bf530a13d4680eafbd54cb1e2b11205a&start=548&end=1040","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5520917-bf530a13d4680eafbd54cb1e2b11205a/thumbnail_548000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6147475/Berkeley-County/West-Virginia/Outofstate-producers-pitch-multifilm-projects-to-Berkeley-County-leaders","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147475-dda96079d615ec6f0b7dd217417386dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770598309&Signature=Br~lg1qEzEOn5mfpe22Sw1g1hv5n0xJnql8pFb9ClTqQuAOr8S-FiFQMR2PM29nUHE2E68AAVwN5NJIeY07z9sd4lATMXSdVWuSa-bRZX-isaXVZ1QDVrhZebY5smag4sttOp4veDvBmGQTeIkBoPb~84S3PWvouTeK7k39btRDNil0IFprr0P8S~d--1w~rQsUz-ouONohtqGDxaGOkpxGrqUDPjsvEdPj5sZtYrd-~lqUvTlcYBfDpa58t4uyTYgXE6ghQ9VCAypoAkSYgLLXm508ci3rJUMDYNfLYtjXsc8ss9BoYJHCvknWSvvse-uMp2TfYWGsWUPDVx5fimg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-08-01T04:58:43.223Z","article","John Sullivan, a Martinsburg resident and a member of the Berkeley County Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors, used public comment at the July 31 Berkeley County Commission meeting to introduce two film producers who said they plan to pursue multiple movie projects in the area.
Sullivan said the two producers “essentially last year spent $20,000,000 in a small county in Kentucky” and that they are “capable of bringing $30,000,000 to Berkeley County in the next year to year and a half over a 2 to 3 film project.” He identified the producers as Barker White and Jamie Thompson.
Why it matters: County leaders and the Convention and Visitors Bureau routinely weigh local incentives and logistical support when attracting film production. Productions can bring short‑term local spending on lodging, catering and location fees and can motivate longer‑term investments in local film workforce and facilities.
At the meeting, one of the producers described plans beyond filming: apprenticeship and training programs “to help us with infrastructure” and to develop local crews. Sullivan told commissioners he and the producers hope to build local capacity so West Virginia can compete with other filming locations.
On incentives, the producers discussed the structure of the West Virginia film tax credit. A meeting speaker said, “It currently sits at 29%. But if you do a minimum of 13 West Virginia and state resident hires, you can bump that up to 31,” and added that a county incentive could help reach a 33% effective incentive level.
The producers identified local assets they view as attractive to film companies, including available square footage at logistics and distribution centers and historic downtown locations used in prior shoots. No county vote or action on incentives occurred at the July 31 meeting; the appearance was an introduction and an invitation to discuss incentives and support further.
The producers and Sullivan encouraged county staff and commissioners to exchange follow‑up information; they said they would submit detailed incentive proposals by email for county review.
No formal county commitment or contract was announced at the meeting.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Berkeley County Commission Meeting 7/31/2025","oneSentenceSummary","John Sullivan, a Martinsburg resident and member of the Berkeley County Convention and Visitors Bureau board, introduced two out‑of‑state film producers during public comment who said they could bring multiple film projects and roughly $30 million in local spending if county incentives and workforce supports are available.","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},6147456,"Assessor presents personal property exonerations, reports 60,000 parcels in Berkeley County",270,1252000,1522000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5520917-bf530a13d4680eafbd54cb1e2b11205a&start=1252&end=1522","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5520917-bf530a13d4680eafbd54cb1e2b11205a/thumbnail_1252000.jpg","/articles/6147456/Berkeley-County/West-Virginia/Assessor-presents-personal-property-exonerations-reports-60000-parcels-in-Berkeley-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147456-924586f6fd3cd9dd123c068ce2fbee88/orig.mp4?Expires=1770598309&Signature=FEl7eZyyxoLOIunDNdUKBsOPqHnkAinz09ujieT2vbvLQyKw4mN4KBOa4tLMDSsBqoVWNKpkMz6xjJ7ngHd~~Iev5Lp3VycS2NtqBY3jyx4ilbwr-GCv-nmEZoBYx6t3cAN7ts4LNUY2h~XtxHbgwNf0dBuTA928gg-MNGyk~Bvy5RXYBXTJ8E8uxHPpbCvv0-379wb-ZIwnsBf4x6HZWTDrQ4VS59B3O1dRmoIGAU4f91Q3gVUIbll4CkVQzNJiqr0jrbDGlZbhlTVva45jzYx-RAKdYqjl3vy92wWwKrKR0zz1c6kZvg5A2f9ZclG6eN06x7sjMMIscaQPd-tB4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Larry Hess, the Berkeley County assessor, presented personal property and parcel details and requested commission approval for several tax exonerations at the July 31 meeting.
Hess said the county has “just a little over 60,000 parcels” and about 39,000 personal property accounts that must be keyed and appraised annually. He described a three‑year real estate appraisal cycle across eight districts and noted July and August are a busy period for personal property returns and data entry.
Hess brought several exoneration requests to the commission: two taxpayer‑error exonerations totaling $266.63; three office‑error personal property exonerations totaling $2,317.02; and a larger group of 58 personal property exonerations the assessor said sum to $11,465.85. Commissioners voted to approve each set of exonerations as presented.
Hess also requested approval to split the tax bill for a divorce case (Andrew and Kelly Sparks). He reported the total assessed value for the two vehicles was $30,915 and proposed assigning the Toyota (assessed $17,280) to Andrew and the Honda CR‑V (assessed $13,635) to Kelly. Commissioners approved the split.
Why it matters: Exonerations adjust tax bills and affect county revenue and taxpayer obligations. Hess said many exonerations come from data‑entry corrections and double bills discovered during proofing.
All motions for the exonerations and the billing split were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote, with Commissioner Whitaker recorded as abstaining on a separate earlier minutes approval due to absence but not on these tax items.
","Assessor Larry Hess told commissioners the county has about 60,000 parcels, roughly 39,000 personal property accounts, and sought approval for several categories of personal property exonerations totaling $14,049.70 and a separate divorce billing split totaling $30,915 in assessed value.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6147461,"Berkeley County Commission votes to join Purdue Pharma settlements, authorizes counsel to sign",27,4901000,4928000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5520917-bf530a13d4680eafbd54cb1e2b11205a&start=4901&end=4928","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5520917-bf530a13d4680eafbd54cb1e2b11205a/thumbnail_4901000.jpg","/articles/6147461/Berkeley-County/West-Virginia/Berkeley-County-Commission-votes-to-join-Purdue-Pharma-settlements-authorizes-counsel-to-sign","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147461-07bdc3a5acf08bd0e087c953ed3b3e73/orig.mp4?Expires=1770598309&Signature=KOLeaLjzMp~XX-sJHynWUyEnohTCnnr3dG6CeEcxAjyLYb1EVbRq~f3cYhcTvI8AD3yC7KCldFTNpZak5VaJac0tr2nDrIwJLWfUxOxInYDL5Z3-HTWKgkVF4oJ-LLbux3Fxd3cVF9sFq6g6W6RWaSBE620KczVfJh0u0HIJ-mxD52mhuIAMRMU4smRh2BNR1ZsWyaGnkekojfD6yJnmFSKjFY56IljoS65dAvBpH55acAgyrtbrS-3tF3UEa3bhq~-E-PUkwrSGQdz~Rj2pGInsxqrWIXL-QQe1x2neXSaK~~tObAMsHZ4DXyShzXkFoT4KvVxKGJ6k6jZQu1LXIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Following an executive session on economic development and legal matters, the Berkeley County Commission voted at the July 31 meeting to participate in the Purdue Pharma direct settlement and the national settlement and to authorize county legal counsel Stephen Skinner to sign settlement documents on the county’s behalf.
A commissioner moved the motion and another commissioner seconded it. The clerk recorded the vote as unanimous “aye.”
Why it matters: Participation in national opioid‑related settlements is an avenue for local governments to secure settlement funds and to resolve litigation claims against opioid manufacturers and distributors. The settlement terms, allocation of funds and reporting requirements were not read in full at the public meeting.
The motion was the only public action recorded after the executive session. The meeting minutes do not include the settlement documents or the detailed legal analysis presented in executive session; they record only the motion, second and unanimous vote to participate and to authorize Stephen Skinner to sign on the commission’s behalf.
","After an executive session, the Berkeley County Commission voted July 31 to participate in both the Purdue Pharma direct settlement and the national settlement and authorized legal counsel Stephen Skinner to sign settlement documents on the county's behalf.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6147466,"Berkeley County ambulance authority expands 24‑hour coverage; RFP issued for Bennington station expansion",73,2072000,2145000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5520917-bf530a13d4680eafbd54cb1e2b11205a&start=2072&end=2145","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5520917-bf530a13d4680eafbd54cb1e2b11205a/thumbnail_2072000.jpg","/articles/6147466/Berkeley-County/West-Virginia/Berkeley-County-ambulance-authority-expands-24hour-coverage-RFP-issued-for-Bennington-station-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147466-1e78eba3873cb1132c65f1b5320bc727/orig.mp4?Expires=1770598309&Signature=SOKeTfEsQpr9Kamj1T-FolKBVTwjE9cjXHRsfr8DHvQF1Z4jZvlkx3LPZDLhCh34pwXoABAftvJmDuCEBnbHjVJa0R8oXCpZMuo1Sr5ZVTCseYrdzrMQNfyVMSFE~zhYmu70Y2l3xOkj0bbWhOJ1uiQHBs~A6bjCk8lXz9h6E6jps2dTNAF83gBR368kOSHWgknNbLNg7WgP2Ggq09Aj0etKODtdas6LtNcas5wInWiyZxmdY071T1~BLOt~5WV-3BR0snRagN9M7PCN8yPDMNsC-rJz5p9Do-VifLpSP1Sc4kCPQhf66ZV~gi~Zrt4bI8G-SngKIlnmYJowv3niqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A county commissioner reported operational changes and near‑term capital work for local emergency medical services at the Berkeley County Commission meeting July 31.
The commissioner said the ambulance authority has begun staffing the Baker Heights volunteer fire department 24 hours a day and that the Bennington volunteer fire department will host crews at Station 40247 beginning Aug. 1. An RFP for expansion of Bennington Station 49 will be released Aug. 1, with county staff targeting full 24/7 staffing at that station by Jan. 1, 2026.
Why it matters: Expanding 24/7 ambulance coverage can reduce response times and affect budget, staffing and station construction plans. Officials said the countywide average response time dropped below eight minutes after the latest staffing move.
The same commissioner said annual household EMS fees were mailed July 3; this is the third year of the $110 fee. Homeowners who qualify for the homestead exemption may have $25 deducted, reducing their fee to $85.
Officials also reported fleet procurement: two ambulances expected in August and three more in 2025, and said the overall fleet is in good condition.
The items were presented as informational updates; commissioners did not record new policy votes on staffing or fee structure at the July 31 meeting.
","County officials reported an ambulance authority staffing shift that placed crews at Baker Heights 24 hours a day and announced an RFP to expand Bennington Station 49 to support 24/7 staffing targeted for Jan. 1, 2026. Countywide average response time fell below eight minutes after recent staffing changes, officials said.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6147471,"Water board updates: $5.6 million North Berkeley water‑line relocation and river plant expansion to 10 million gpd",142,1892000,2034000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5520917-bf530a13d4680eafbd54cb1e2b11205a&start=1892&end=2034","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5520917-bf530a13d4680eafbd54cb1e2b11205a/thumbnail_1892000.jpg","/articles/6147471/Berkeley-County/West-Virginia/Water-board-updates-56-million-North-Berkeley-waterline-relocation-and-river-plant-expansion-to-10-million-gpd","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147471-987f120fc34a90d5c2c7d1d51b9bc704/orig.mp4?Expires=1770598309&Signature=n1O7FQCn-epzNIW5J-gRIsUc7NCvbzdduGhzF09yrb2umP-NwAFfXJqFNpRALsX9vQrXIwaJQuGcg~LLaaP~TzanSDliUbLMxTVNAnuhAUNlGiKMOUNPaeteoKfUsPRCw3-744HZxuNDPf9Yo1goIj7vtD7l-FGwTsmWLb8zmOmPMKZZEfwKgYNSrtpE9A2PA8k30SigHVcxnhsoXrrzQTu5Jomsybu5xrPxxGSEfOjD1Zg27jXKR2JS94-Gsrntj4PbUpdAfBNNeEXsJcDP6TbOoVeYETPao6APHpHaqv1yyt~8n5NtvUzy~mzLRTLODgWhXtukEqp98lPPjJ7cNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Hardy reported progress on major water system projects during the Berkeley County Commission meeting July 31, including a contract award and a detailed presentation on planned plant expansions.
Hardy said the contract to relocate a 43‑inch water line from the South Berkeley water plant was awarded to Snyder Environmental for about $5,600,000. He said Snyder has begun clearing property and will perform bores under the railroad to place the new line.
Why it matters: Relocating a primary trunk line and expanding treatment capacity are steps to serve growth and to provide redundancy during maintenance; such projects typically affect rates, construction schedules and multiyear capital plans.
Hardy and meeting presenters also reviewed work on the South Berkeley facility. Jim Ouellette showed drone photography and engineering images outlining a plan to expand river plant capacity from 6,000,000 to 10,000,000 gallons per day and to add finished‑water storage. Presentations showed substantial concrete and rebar work for stand‑up walls, a 1,000,000‑gallon finished‑water storage tank and a proposed second 1,000,000‑gallon tank to allow the system to store roughly 2,000,000 gallons of finished water for maintenance or offline periods.
Hardy described the construction as “phenomenal” and said the water board is “staying ahead and meeting the challenge.” No formal county vote on the Snyder Environmental contract was recorded in the commission minutes at the July 31 meeting; the matter was reported as part of board updates.
","Commissioner report highlighted a $5.6 million contract awarded to Snyder Environmental to relocate a 43‑inch line in North Berkeley and a presentation showing the river water treatment plant expansion from 6 million to 10 million gallons per day and new storage tanks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Out‑of‑state producers pitch multi‑film projects to Berkeley County leaders

Assessor presents personal property exonerations, reports 60,000 parcels in Berkeley County

Berkeley County Commission votes to join Purdue Pharma settlements, authorizes counsel to sign

Berkeley County ambulance authority expands 24‑hour coverage; RFP issued for Bennington station expansion

Water board updates: $5.6 million North Berkeley water‑line relocation and river plant expansion to 10 million gpd