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Bath leaders tout grants, propose 10% municipal real-estate tax cut
Summary
Council members praised the adopted budget, described a plan to cut the municipal real-estate tax rate by 10%, and highlighted active grant-seeking — including state attention and a dedicated part-time grants administrator — intended to offset local costs without raising taxes.
Council leaders opened their April 7 meeting by stressing the town’s fiscal position and ongoing grant activity, saying the budget includes no new taxes and a proposed 10% cut to the municipal real-estate tax rate. Chair said the council wanted to emphasize that message to residents and peers across West Virginia.
“no new taxes, no tax increases, and a 10% proposed cut to the municipal real estate tax rate here in the town of Bath,” the Chair said, framing the move as part of a broader economic strategy. Staff described how the town is hiring a part-time grants administrator and actively leveraging grant programs to minimize local matching obligations.
The council highlighted letters of support from state offices and lawmakers and said grant activity supports multiple projects — from streetscape improvements to water-plant work — with staff estimating an effective leverage of roughly $1 in local match for $10 in outside funding.Officials said those grant proceeds are intended to finance capital work while keeping rates and taxes stable for residents.
Council members and staff cautioned that many grants require application review cycles and federal match deadlines, and that final award notices may arrive months after submission. The town will present additional budget details at future meetings as grant outcomes become firm.
