TERRA ALTA — The city of Terra Alta failed to submit its 2025–26 fiscal year budget by the March 28 deadline, raising concerns over potential repercussions – including the collection of taxes and the implementation of levies.
In published reports, the state announced that the town had not submitted the budget despite notices being sent, and also had not set the levy rate for the year. Failure to set the rate means the town would be unable to collect excess levy revenue.
West Virginia law requires all municipalities to have their budgets passed and submitted to the state for approval by the end of March. Extensions can be granted by the state auditor’s office until the beginning of May.
In a social media post, Terra Alta Mayor Dan Hauger acknowledged the error.
“As of right now, I’m not sure what level that mistake was made, but at the end of the day, I am the leader of this town as the sitting mayor, and I take full responsibility for the budget information not being submitted to the State of West Virginia,” Hauger said.
Hauger added that the city is working to submit the required information to the state as quickly as possible.
According to the May 20 2025, city council meeting agenda the council will discuss the approval of the 2025-26 fiscal year budget and the approval of levies Tuesday evening.
Despite the missed deadline, the city’s ongoing water project will not be affected, according to Robbie Baylor, executive director of the Preston County Economic Development Authority.
“It should have no impact on the ongoing water project,” Baylor said. “That project is fully funded, so (it) should not impact it at all.”
Baylor said the project includes the rehabilitation of one water tank, replacement of another, and upgrades to the water treatment plant.
However, she noted it remains unclear whether future infrastructure initiatives will be delayed due to the city’s failure to submit the budget on time.
Former town recorder Josh Dodge emphasized the importance of the budget submission as a matter of public accountability.
“In West Virginia, municipal governance is entrusted to elected officials who are responsible for fiscal stewardship and transparency,” Dodge said. “The budget process is not just a formality – it’s a public declaration of how tax dollars will be spent to serve and protect.”
Dodge added that missing the deadline was “not just an oversight, but a failure of a civic responsibility.”
