The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

State News

November 11, 2009

Shepherdstown looking to annex college dorms

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The Shepherdstown Town Council is looking to add 600 residents by annexing dormitories on the Shepherd University campus.

The plan is a result of officials’ fear that the town could lose a share of video lottery revenues after next year’s census, if other towns in Jefferson County continue to grow.

The council voted Tuesday to annex the 11 dorms, according to Councilman Stuart Wallace. The council is scheduled to vote on a second reading of the bill next week.

Five incorporated Jefferson County towns — Charles Town, Ranson, Bolivar, Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown — shared roughly $909,000 in video lottery revenues this year.

Their cut of the money is based on their size. Shepherdstown, with about 1,200 people, received $130,000. Ranson, the largest of the towns with nearly 3,000 residents, got $319,000.

Shepherdstown Mayor Jim Auxer is worried his town’s growth is limited by its boundaries, which would mean a smaller share of the gambling revenue.

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