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

City planning to bolster services with a 2021-2022 budget of more than $5 million

Buckhannon City Hall
Buckhannon City Hall

BUCKHANNON – The City of Buckhannon is on track to produce a record budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, buoyed by an influx of funds from the 1 percent sales tax that went into effect last January. The additional funding will allow the city to significantly strengthen its essential services, from public safety to infrastructure.

Buckhannon City Council is currently considering a budget of more than $5 million for the upcoming fiscal year. As part of that process, elected officials have been meeting to discuss funding proposals from the departments that encompass the City of Buckhannon’s general fund — the Street and Parks Department, the Buckhannon Police Department, the Buckhannon Fire Department, the Mayor’s Office and Stockert Youth & Community Center.

On Tuesday, Buckhannon Fire Chief J.B. Kimble implored council to invest in three additional full-time career firefighters, which would cost the city an additional $170,000 per year in salaries and benefits. That would bring the fire department’s budget up to about $1 million annually.

Kimble’s request was the largest and most notable because it could eventually lead to the implementation of a first-due fire fee. Even though the fire department responds to emergencies in an area encompassing roughly 54 square miles, city residents fund the bulk of the department’s operations. With a first-due fire fee, county residents in that area would also help financially support the department.

The request is just one of a slew of budget proposals council will have to take into consideration when finalizing their budget this year. The street department wants to purchase a new front loader, and police chief Matt Gregory has requested merit-based salary increases for his employees and a larger investment in VIPS, the Volunteers in Police Service program. Debora Brockleman, executive director of the SYCC, wants to hire a third full-time employee, and city hall is in dire need of a new roof.

Several outside entities – including the Upshur County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Upshur County Development Authority and others – have also asked for dollars to support their work.

And the city has those dollars to spend. This will mark the first year of budgeting in which Buckhannon City Council can use a full year’s worth of its 1 percent sales tax to invest in general fund departments.

Since the sales tax went into effect Jan. 1, 2020, the city has collected close to $1.6 million, most of which has come in since the beginning of the current fiscal year, city finance and administrative director Amberle Jenkins said.

As the budget sessions began, Jenkins presented a draft base budget of $5.1 million – roughly the same as last year – upon which council will add any new department requests that are approved. The final 2019-20 budget was about $4.5 million in comparison.

In the base proposal, the street department is set to receive about $1.5 million, followed by the police department (about $1.2 million), fire department ($797,000) and SYCC ($376,000). Those numbers could increase – particularly the fire department – if council agrees to the various requests presented over the last two weeks.

Jenkins also incorporated a 30-cents per hour across-the-board cost of living raise for all city employees.

Please stay tuned as My Buckhannon examines the department budgets in depth in upcoming articles.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Moon Flower opens first satellite store at Delmonte Market in Elkins

Moon Flower Hemp, a woman-owned craft cannabis shop, is opening its first satellite location inside Elkins’s Delmonte Market, offering exclusive products, infused drinks, educational support and special perks for early customers.

Buckhannon Community Theatre’s ‘The Lion King Kids’ set to roar at Colonial Arts Center this weekend

Buckhannon Community Theatre will present Disney’s The Lion King Kids on June 20 and 21 at the Colonial Arts Center, showcasing young local talent in a family-friendly production directed by Ella McNeish.

Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board Agenda: June 26, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board has released the agenda for its upcoming June 26, 2025, meeting.

B-U’s Landon Marple earns All-State baseball honors

Buckhannon-Upshur senior Landon Marple, who led his team in multiple offensive categories, was named to the West Virginia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State Baseball Team as an Honorable Mention.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Kelly Povroznik earns certification in integrative and functional nutrition

Kelly Povroznik, Director of Food and Nutrition Services at WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital, has earned certification as an Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner, bringing advanced holistic nutrition expertise to her patients and community.

Upshur County Sheriff Mike Coffman says numerous community complaints led to vape shop raids

Community complaints about Upshur County vape shops selling to minors prompted a months-long investigation that led to multi-agency raids, seizure of $500,000 in illegal products, and an ongoing probe with arrests likely.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for June 19, 2025

Argo Books is launching a community co-op, the Upshur County Library has won a grant for new computer classes, Meals on Wheels needs volunteers, and Fish Hawk Acres has resumed ‘grab & go’ service but paused breakfast.

Weese family legacy burns bright as Brandon coaches Flame 304 to new growth

Brandon Weese is continuing his family’s Buckhannon-Upshur basketball legacy by coaching the Flame 304 girls travel team, which now features players from multiple counties and emphasizes both athletic and personal growth.

Upshur County pool splashes back from repairs, continues busy summer with activities, parties and night swims

After a multi-day closure for repairs, the Upshur County Pool is reopening with a packed summer schedule featuring lessons, parties, night swims, and new event packages, positioning it for one of its busiest seasons yet.