All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Buckhannon Sanitary Board approves recommendation to raise wages

BUCKHANNON – The City of Buckhannon Sanitary Board recently met and discussed the recommendation of the Revenue Review Committee regarding wages for the Buckhannon sanitary workers.

Amberle Jenkins, the city finance and administrative director, said the recommendations of the Revenue Review Committee would cost approximately $48,000.

“However, it really will not affect that budget this much because, in the past year, the budget had some cushion built into it already,” Jenkins said. “Also, in the past year, five people have retired or quit. Some of those wages were built into that budget.”

Other city boards have also taken action on the recommendations.

“For the water employees, it will impact this budget $46,500 since we had a retirement of a senior employee and now our aity attorney will change from salary to contract,” Jenkins shared in an email.

At a Waste Collection Board meeting held at the beginning of September, board members approved a 50-cent per hour wage increase. On top of that, the Waste Collection Board voted to accept the proposed salary increases for Waste Collection employees that were proposed by the Revenue Review Committee.

Buckhannon Mayor Robert Skinner attended Thursday’s meeting virtually and said the Revenue Review Committee met three times and would be meeting again. Each board was evaluated using the same method, and then supervisors were invited to come in and explain the supervisor’s rationale for why they wanted individual raises.

“We have worked to try to equalize across all of our boards and across the general fund as well,” Skinner said. “We want to have some form of continuity where we start wages and where we can take wages when employees achieve certain milestones – whether it be for how many years worked or for skill sets obtained.”

Skinner said the members of the Revenue Review Committee are trying to get everyone on the same playing field and within a few dollars of one another, understanding that each department is different.

“We are all one city organization and we are trying to make sure we are giving everyone a good, fair shake,” Skinner said. “This is a very significant exercise for the City of Buckhannon – we have not had significant pay increases like this in quite some time as far as percentages go. As far as impact on the budget, this will be the largest pay increase impact we have ever done – just because things cost more today.”

Skinner asked on behalf of the Revenue Review Committee that the Sanitary Board accept the recommendation.

“I feel very confident with where we are and I would ask that we support the recommendation,” Skinner said.

Buckhannon City Recorder Randy Sanders asked if this will make Buckhannon competitive with pay scales in other places in the region.

“Yes,” Jenkins replied.

Members of the Sanitary Board unanimously approved the recommendations.

In a phone interview, Sanders said that even though the recommendations and overall budget impacts have been approved by the respective boards, nothing has been finalized as far as individual salary increases go.

“Nothing has been finalized because now the department heads need to go back and talk to the employees and staff,” Sanders said. “October is probably our goal for having the final changes implemented. There is no word on the raises – just plans for how to budget and how that will affect our overall budget. Things still need to be ironed out. Individual increases have not been decided or approved by the departments yet.”

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Former Buckhannon mayor sentenced to decade in prison for child pornography offense

David Walter McCauley, former Buckhannon mayor, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and 10 years supervised release for child pornography involving a 17-year-old boy, following an FBI-led investigation.

American Legion Post 7 cancels Flag Retirement Ceremony due to rain

The American Legion Post 7 has canceled its June 14 Flag Retirement Ceremony because of expected rain and thunderstorms, and will reschedule the event for a later date.

Sandra Louise Collins Garrison

Sandra Louise Collins Garrison, a longtime educator in Buckhannon, is remembered by family and former students following her death at age 73, with funeral services set for June 18 at Way of Holiness Church.
LUCAS Truck

LUCAS to offer lung cancer screening in Rock Cave, Weston, and Buckhannon

LUCAS, WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, will offer low-dose CT scans in Rock Cave, Weston, and Buckhannon in July for insured and eligible uninsured patients by appointment.

Man arrested for allegedly attempting to cash unauthorized check at BC Bank in Buckhannon

Christian Lyons, 47, of Ashford, was arrested on a felony charge after allegedly attempting to cash a check without authorization at a Buckhannon bank, with surveillance and account details helping police identify him.
Summer basketball

Summer Basketball League continues to grow under UCRC director Mitchell Shaw

The Upshur County Summer Basketball League, overseen by UCRC director Mitchell Shaw, is thriving and expanding with 18 teams and 183 players, offering organized, community-focused competition and new sponsorship-driven prizes in Buckhannon.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for June 11, 2025

Local highlights include a June 28 Glow Stick Party at James Curry Library, Upshur Schools’ virtual learning signups, BUHS rescheduled Alumni Soccer Game and a debut novel by Chantelle Kerr.

Upshur Update: Catch up on the latest local news in our June 11, 2025 podcast

The Upshur Update highlights the return of the Almost Heaven BBQ Bash, pool openings with new inclusive programs, community achievements in literacy and sports, student honors, local recognitions, and upcoming summer events in Buckhannon and Upshur County.

‘It’s the Small Things that Count’ – Lively pens book about daughter Megan

Alisa Mauk Lively has written “It’s the Small Things that Count,” a book celebrating the life and impact of her late daughter Megan, with proceeds benefiting Upshur County Special Olympics.