Harpers Ferry Council revises fiscal 2026 levy after state auditor correction

Harpers Ferry — The Harpers Ferry Council on April 15 approved a revision to the town’s fiscal 2026 budget and formally laid the property-tax levy after a clerical correction from the state auditor’s office reduced the projected property-tax receipts by $2,166.

The change stems from a keying error in the town’s certificate of valuation for class 2 real estate. Deborah, a town finance staff member, told the council the state auditor identified the mistake and that correcting it reduces the revenue estimate from $91,050 to $88,884 while leaving the levy rate at 5.99 mills unchanged.

The correction, Deborah said, “has resulted in a $2,166 reduction in the overall budget.” She told council members the revised figures were reviewed with the town’s accountants before being presented to the council.

Council members unanimously approved two motions: one to accept the revised fiscal-year 2026 general-fund budget as amended, and a second to lay the levy based on the corrected numbers. A roll call recorded Storm, Roberta, Chris, George, Zach and the chair as voting “yes,” and the chair announced the motions carried 6–0.

Deborah walked council members through the packet, noting the error affected figures on the certificate of valuation and the amount shown on the levy order and rate sheet. She explained that the levy rate itself — the 5.99 mills approved in March — was not being changed, only the taxable valuation used to compute expected receipts.

Council members asked whether the revision affected the recommended reserves. Deborah said the change was “not a material change” and that the town remains above a four-month reserves threshold.

The council voted to approve the revision and to lay the levy in the current meeting. Town staff said the revised levy order will be filed consistent with state procedures.

The package presented to council included the corrected certificate of valuation, the levy order and the rate sheet. Staff said the state auditor’s written comments arrived late the morning of the meeting and that the town had processed the correction immediately upon receiving it.

Council action summary: The council approved the amended fiscal 2026 general-fund budget and laid the levy using the corrected valuation; the levy rate remains 5.99 mills and the expected property-tax receipts were reduced by $2,166.

If additional adjustments or filings are required by the state auditor’s office, staff said they will notify the council at a future meeting.