MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — On Tuesday, The Berkeley County Commission adopted a levy rate of 13.39 for
the upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year, leaving the rate unchanged from the current year.
The levy rate for 2025-2026, which has remained unchanged, if not reduced, for eight consecutive years, is projected to generate $29,285,342 million
in property taxes in support of Berkeley County’s next fiscal year budget to help fund County government services.
Among the highlights, the budget for the upcoming fiscal year includes funding for 12 additional firefighters thanks to a new, cost-sharing agreement with the Berkeley County Fire Service Board. A new Police Social Worker position that will assist law enforcement officers of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office in crisis intervention, also is funded in the budget.
“Working within our means, and through the cooperative efforts of all of Berkeley County’s elected offices, we have been able to leave the levy rate unchanged for yet another year,” Berkeley County Commission President Eddie Gochenour said in a press release to the Panhandle News Network.
“We are especially proud to be able to enhance fire protection in the county thanks to the partnership with the Fire Service Board and we believe the new Police Social Worker position will be particularly beneficial for the law
enforcement division of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.”
For Fiscal Year 2025-2026, the county’s total budget estimate is $54,394,403, a figure that includes miscellaneous revenue. The 2025-2026 Fiscal Year begins on July 1, 2025 and ends on June 30, 2026.
The 2025-2026 Fiscal Year budget includes allocations for 68 uniformed law enforcement positions, 34 paid firefighters, as well as funding requests by the County’s constitutional officers, departments and offices, and various agencies.
