Mayor Skinner Delivers The 2026 State Of The City Address

BUCKHANNON, WV: The 2026 State of the City address was prepared and delivered by Mayor Robbie Skinner at the January 15, 2026, City Council meeting.

Good evening. On behalf of City Council, our administration, staff, employee family, business owners, visitors, and 6,000 corporate residents, it is my honor and privilege as Mayor of my hometown to bring you the State of the City address – highlighting the many accomplishments from 2025, and planning for an exciting 2026.

Tonight, we not only gather to transact the first official business meeting of our City for 2026, but because of this specific date, we also pause, reflect, and celebrate as it was on this day—January 15, 1816—that our beloved community was founded. Today, we mark 210 years of the City of Buckhannon. Two centuries and a decade ago today, along the banks of the Buckhannon River in what was then the Commonwealth of Virginia, our community was established with hope, determination, and a belief in the future. Although much has changed in 210 years, the spirit that defines and binds us together remains the same.

Our city’s story is one of resilience, hard work, and love of place. From our earliest days as a frontier settlement in the upper foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, through times of growth and challenge, and into the modern era, our city has endured and adapted while never losing its sense of community. Tonight, we honor that legacy—and recommit ourselves to the responsibility of stewarding Buckhannon into its next chapter.

As mayor, I am constantly reminded of just how special our City is, not just to me, but to every resident, business owner, and visitor. We are a community where people still know their neighbors, where history and progress are intertwined, and where civic pride runs deep. From our vibrant downtown to our well-maintained neighborhoods, newly renovated parks, and exciting festivals, we are a community that has benefitted tremendously from a strong spirit of volunteerism and love of place shared by everyone who calls Buckhannon home. Our city offers a quality of life that is hard to match. We are home to dedicated public servants, caring educators, a thriving arts culture, and families who invest their time and hearts into this city every day. What makes Buckhannon great is not just our beautiful setting or our rich history—it is our people, their kindness, resilience, and unwavering commitment to making this community a welcoming place to live, work, and play.

The State of the City
Tonight, I am proud to report to you that the state of our City is strong and forward-looking. Rooted in our shared values of public service, civic engagement, and thoughtful investment in infrastructure and quality of life, Buckhannon is well-positioned to enjoy many more successes in our next 210 years.

Highlights
Now, to highlight, in part, the actions that have brought us to this point. Over the past year, each city department has contributed to meaningful accomplishments that benefit the daily lives of our residents, and set the stage for long-term growth. As a City Council, we extend sincere and heartfelt gratitude to each member of our city government family – all who’ve been instrumental in making the improvements and accomplishments we bring you tonight happen. We truly have the best team of any small town in America.

City Water Department
Our City Water Department is in the process of undertaking the most significant infrastructure improvement project in our City’s history. Constructing a new water treatment facility is an incredible commitment to the future of our community. Ensuring the delivery of reliable and safe drinking water for all of Upshur County is an enormous responsibility, and certainly not one we take lightly in our organization.

For an entire year now, we have earnestly advanced, and are well immersed into the planning and financing of a $47 million water treatment plant and associated pipeline upgrades, thus reflecting our dedication to long-term water quality and system capacity. This project proceeds with careful oversight and investment to modernize our water infrastructure for decades to come.

Everyone associated with the City of Buckhannon understands the concern associated with increasing water consumption rates, but this is a project that must be done. We also recognize that members of our community still have questions surrounding the project. Thanks to City Recorder Randy Sanders and our water plant management team, a comprehensive frequently asked questions (FAQ) document is available on our website, and has been circulated on our City’s Facebook page. We encourage everyone in Upshur County review this information in order to best understand the full scope of this complex project.

City Sanitary and Waste Services
Throughout 2025, our City’s Sanitary Department completed major infrastructure upgrades to strengthen our sewer system and improve service reliability. Crews extended sewer service for new development, replaced failing clay lines with modern PVC pipe on multiple areas including Lower Drive, Island Avenue, Monongalia, Henry, and South Kanawha Streets, renewed service to existing customers, and removed outdated manholes and taps. Significant improvements were also made at our treatment plant and pump stations, including major clarifier repairs and full upgrades to our pump stations—all projects that extended the life of critical infrastructure and improved system performance. These investments help protect public health, support growth, and ensure dependable sanitary service for many years ahead.

The City’s Waste Collection Department continues to work diligently to make recycling and access to our services offered faster, easier, and cost-effective for our residents and business owners. In 2025, local community initiatives like the Buckhannon Rotary Club’s “Recycle Beyond the Bag” program are expanding recycling awareness and diverting harder-to-recycle plastics from waste streams, showing strong community support for sustainability. Our City is proud to partner with our local Rotary club on this project.

City Street Department
In 2025, our City Street Department crews upgraded just under a mile of ADA-accessible sidewalks, completing major projects along Island Avenue, North Florida, Pocahontas, and South Kanawha Streets—improving safety, accessibility, and walkability across our city. The City also invested nearly $400,000 to resurface more than a mile of streets, including Lower Drive, Reger Avenue, Ohio, Ritchie, West and East Lincoln, and South Florida Streets. In addition to roadway improvements, a new stage was constructed in Jawbone Park, further enhancing our Downtown and community event space. Crews also completed a street widening and curbing project on Ritchie Street and began similar improvements on Pocahontas Street, both of which will improve aesthetics, traffic flow, and safety. Finally, we expanded its urban tree program, planting approximately 80 new trees throughout the City, contributing to beautification, shade, and long-term environmental health.

City Engineering
In 2025, the City’s engineering work focused on completing major infrastructure projects and preparing Buckhannon for future growth. The Island Avenue Utility and Street Improvement Project is nearly complete, delivering new gas, water, sanitary, and storm lines along the north side of Island Avenue. All ARPA-funded water and sanitary sewer improvement projects—totaling more than $2.3 million—were completed by August, along with utility extensions supporting the new CMH housing development.

Ongoing efforts included GPS and GIS mapping of city utilities, maintaining the City’s Class 8 flood rating, which provides residents situated within a designated flood zone a 10% flood insurance discount. Engineering support also advanced key community projects, including planning and bidding for improvements at the Charles W. Gibson Library, installation of a permanent backup generator at the airport booster station, and preparation of FEMA grant applications for citywide E-911 addressing and storm sewer upgrades. These efforts ensure Buckhannon remains resilient, well-planned, and positioned for the future.

City Police Department
The Buckhannon Police Department finally returned to full strength in 2025, allowing for better coverage to include patrols, investigations, as well as community engagement. The peer liaison position embedded within the police department by First Choice Services also continued to be a major asset to the City of Buckhannon by providing assistance through treatment, shelters, and other programs to numerous citizens in need. The department also continued to focus on the ongoing education of its officers by hosting a variety of training classes throughout the year.

Moving into 2026, the police department has plans to host several trainings at both the Training Room at the Public Safety Complex, as well as at the Event Center at Brushy Fork for larger scale trainings that attracts a greater number of students. We are also working to re-establish our Youth Police Academy program with the anticipation of returning this very popular event in the summer of 2026.

City Fire Department
In 2025, our City of Buckhannon Fire Department responded to 1,114 incidents, which represents a 3.5% increase over the previous year, reflecting both growing demand and the department’s continued readiness. We made important strides in staffing by increasing our volunteer ranks from seven to twelve members and returning our career staff to full strength. Thanks to the development of certified in-house instructors, we are now able to train new firefighters locally—allowing recruits like our newest career firefighter, Josh Bowers, to complete academy training while on staff.

Our department also became the only certified swift water rescue provider in Upshur County, supported by new training, specialized safety equipment, and two rescue boats—resources already used in real-world emergencies. Major investments continued at the Mudlick Road Fire Training Facility, including ongoing construction of the three-story burn building, completion of a rescue training house now used by both fire and law enforcement, and the addition of a flashover training unit donated by Loudoun County, Virginia. Finally, through a federal grant, the department acquired approximately $40,000 in physical fitness equipment, supporting both physical readiness and a growing regional mental wellness program further improving member health, morale, and retention.

Looking Ahead
The future of the City of Buckhannon is bright and full of promise. We are entering the New Year with momentum, optimism, and a shared excitement for what lies ahead. From continued infrastructure improvements and large-scale community investments to new opportunities for growth and engagement, 2026 will be a year that builds on our progress while celebrating everything that makes Buckhannon special.

This spring, we will once again welcome visitors from across the globe for the 84th annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival—a beloved tradition that showcases our hospitality, our heritage, and our ability to come together as a community. The festival is more than an event; it is a reflection of our City’s spirit and a powerful boost to our local economy. That is why I am so proud that this organization, through unanimous support from City Council, is stepping up to support our most treasured event like never before with a total sponsorship allotment of $50,000 for the 2026 festival. President Shane Jenkins and the entire all-volunteer Board of Directors are working hard to ensure that the third week of May in 2026 is the most special yet!

As summer arrives, the Almost Heaven Barbecue Bash and Create Buckhannon’s Festival Fridays will return to Downtown, filling Jawbone Park with music, food, laughter, and family-friendly fun, while supporting local businesses and creating lasting memories for residents and visitors alike.

In 2026, we will continue focusing on the foundations of a strong city—safe streets, reliable utilities, vibrant public spaces, and responsive city services—while also focusing on quality-of-life enhancements that make our City such a great place to live, work, and visit. We will continue building partnerships, pursuing grants, and planning responsibly for the future, ensuring that progress is thoughtful, inclusive, and sustainable.

Most importantly, the year ahead will be defined by the hearts of our people—neighbors helping neighbors, volunteers stepping up, businesses growing, and families putting down roots. With pride in our past and confidence in our future, 2026 promises to be a year of opportunity for the City of Buckhannon.

Buckhannon is more than a city—it is a home, a family, and a community that shows up for one another day after day. To our city employees, first responders, volunteers, educators, business owners, civic leaders, and residents—THANK YOU for believing in our City and for working every day to make us better. Your pride, care, and high-quality work are the foundation of our city’s success. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as Mayor of my hometown, and together, with gratitude for our past, love for our present, and hope for our future, we will continue building a City of Buckhannon that generations to come will be proud to call home.

Thank you.

Respectfully submitted,

Robbie Skinner
Mayor, City of Buckhannon