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Wetzel County Animal Shelter Our purpose is to assist with humane care and treatment of the homeless animals at the Wetzel County Dog Pound. The Wetzel County Animal Shelter Supporters, Inc. assists with the spay or neuter of all animals adopted from the county pound. And we also assist in returning lost animals to their owners while placing abandoned and homeless ones in approved suitable homes. Hours: Currently by appointment only until further notice. Please call the number below to schedule an appointment for potential adoptions. Contact Information: Wetzel County Dog Shelter 399 Mollohan Drive New Martinsville, WV 26155 www.wetzelanimalshelter.com 304-815-1570 animalshelter@wetzelwv.com

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Wetzel County Assessor Links Top of Page Estimating Real Estate Tax Property Tax Classification Taxation Valuation Property Value Changes Real Estate Assessments Exemptions Personal Property Assessments Business Personal Property Appealing Your Property Rights Annual Assessment and Application Deadlines Gas Industry Assessment Procedures & Potential tax maps farm maps Personal Property Assessments Appealing Your Property Rights Estimating Real Estate Tax Scott Lemley Wetzel County Assessor 304-455-8216 slemley@wvassessor.com Beth Hayes Assistant Chief Deputy 304-455-8216 bhayes@assessor.state.wv.us Ruth Glasscock Real Property Deputy 304-455-8216 rglassco@assessor.state.wv.us Cathy Phillips Personal Property Deputy 304-455-8214 cphilli1@assessor.state.wv.us Sandy Nelson Reappraisal Deputy 304-455-8216 snelson@assessor.state.wv.us Wetzel County Assessor PO Box 7 New Martinsville, WV 26155 304-455-8216 Fax: 304-455-5256 Property Tax Classification Taxation Valuation Property Value Changes Real Estate Assessments Exemptions Personal Property Assessments Business Personal Property Appealing Your Property Rights Annual Assessment and Application Deadlines Gas Industry Assessment Procedures & Potential Information Provided by the WV State Agency Directory All property shall be obtained from every person who is liable to assess a full and correct description of all personal property. In most counties, this is done by mailing an assessment form to all individuals and businesses. Assessors are required to visit all real estate at least once every three years but all property is to be at market value on an annual basis. The Assessor shall finish the work of assessment and complete the land and personal property books no later than the 30th day of January. Land and Personal Property books are to be completed in time to submit to the Board of Equalization and Review no later than the first day of February of that assessment year. The Assessor and his/her assistants shall attend the first Board of Equalization and Review meeting and render any possible assistance in connection with the valuation of property. The Assessor shall annually, no later than the third day of March, furnish to the Recorder or Clerk of Cities and Towns, Secretary to the Board of Education, State Board of Education and the County Commission, along with Public Utilities, certification of the assessed values for the current year. The levying bodies are required to use these values to prepare their budget estimates and lay the levies. Once levy rates are certified to the Auditor, they are certified to the Assessor and are entered into the computer to allow the Sheriff to print tax tickets. Assessors determine values and in turn, the levies set by levying bodies, including excess levies, determine tax revenue. Estimating Real Estate Tax: Appraised Value X 60% = Assessed Value Assessed Value X Levy Rate = Tax Property Tax Classification CLASS I- All tangible personal property employed exclusively in farming and livestock CLASS II- All property owned, used and occupied by owner, exclusively for residential purposes, and farms used and occupied by their owners or bona fide tenants CLASS III & IV- All real and personal property exclusive of Classes I and II, situated outside a municipality (Class III) or within a municipality (Class IV)(rental and vacant), not used and occupied by the owner Taxation Taxing authorities such as the State Legislature, School Board, County Commission and City Councils set tax rates and levy taxes. Levy rates differ according to the class of property. In West Virginia, there are four classes of property: Class I: all property formerly classified as Class I is exempt. Class II: all property owned, used, and occupied by the owner exclusively for residential purposes and farms occupied and cultivated by their owners or tenants. Class III: all other real or personal property situated outside of municipalities (vacant land and buildings, rental property, vehicles, commercial real estate, equipment, inventory). Class IV: all other real or personal property situated within municipalities (vacant land and buildings, rental property, vehicles, commercial real estate, equipment, inventory). Valuation The Assessor's Office studies the Real Estate market and collects information about properties to estimate value. The goal of the Assessor's Office is to estimate each property's fair, current market value - the price your property could sell for today on the open market. To estimate current market value, the Assessor's Office considers the characteristics of the property, the neighborhood, recent sales of similar property and local building and construction costs. Property Value Changes A property's value can change for many reasons, the most obvious is the property changes - an addition, a new garage, or the property undergoes renovation or demolition. Another frequent cause of change is a change in the market - properties in certain neighborhoods begin selling for higher prices. The Assessor's Office must, however, maintain property values that are at least 90% of recent sales prices. A quick method to determine if your value is fair is to compare it to sales prices in your neighborhood, taking into account various differences in structures. Real Estate Assessments In 1990, the West Virginia Legislature ordered a statewide reappraisal of all property in West Virginia. Reappraisal occurs in three year cycles. During each three year cycle, the Assessor's Office must visit every piece of real estate to confirm and update characteristics of the property. Although property reappraisal is now a continuous process, dramatic future increases in your property's value probably will not occur. Many taxpayers saw a dramatic increase in their property's value during the initial cycle because most property in the county had not been revalued for 20 to 30 years. In 2009, however, the State Tax Commissioner under the direction of the Governor and Legislature hired independent appraisal firms to review assessments in all 55 counties. While this study was opposed by Assessors, the study may result in larger assessment increases for Wetzel County and other counties in future years. If at anytime, however, you believe there is an error in the value of your property, you should contact the Assessor's Office. An official from the office will visit the property to determine if a reduction is warranted. Exemptions If you are 65 years of age or older, or if you are permanently and totally disabled, you may be eligible for the Homestead Property Tax Exemption. If approved, $20,000 will be deducted from the assessed value of the home used as your primary residence. To claim this exemption, you must file the application with the Assessor's Office between July 1 and December 1. A Senior Citizens Tax Credit is also available for eligible senior citizens. It is based on the amount of property taxes paid on the first $20,000 of the taxable assessed value over the $20,000 Homestead Exemption. If for example, the assessed value of your home is $35,000, the Homestead Exemption automatically exempts $20,000 from the payment of property taxes, which is shown on your annual property tax bill. The additional $15,000 is then eligible for the Senior Citizens Tax Credit. You must first pay the property tax due, but after filing the proper forms with the State Tax Department, the amount paid is credited to any State Income Tax owed. If no state income tax is owed, the homeowner will receive a refund check from the State Tax Department. There are low income guidelines associated with the Senior Citizen Tax Credit, although Social Security benefits are not included in the income limits. To claim the credit, a one-person household must have income less than $16,335. A two-person household must have income less than $22,065. Personal Property Assessments Personal property assessments differ somewhat from real estate assessments. All persons must report to the Assessor all personal property owned as of July 1 of each year whether visited by a deputy or not. This can be done in one of four ways: 1. Necessary forms are mailed to every property owner in the County prior to July 1 of each year. Simply complete and return the form to the Assessor's Office prior to October 1. 2. While visiting the courthouse, report the information to the Assessor's Office personnel. 3. Call the Wetzel County Assessor’s Office at 304-455-8214 4. You are now able to complete the Individual Personal Property Report form online. Simply visit http://wetzel.wvassessor.com/onlinefiling/ , click on Begin Personal Property Assessment, complete the applicable sections, and then click "Submit". Vehicle assessments are based on 60% of the lowest value listed in the N.A.D.A. Used Car Guide. Assessment discounts for vehicles with high mileage are available. High Mileage Certification Forms must be turned in each year prior to October 1. Business Personal Property All businesses in the county are mailed a blue, four-page reporting form in early July. The form requests that accurate costs be entered for all personal property owned as of July 1 of each year, including machinery and equipment, inventory, computer equipment, vehicles and furniture and fixtures. All business returns must be submitted no later than September 1st. Those businesses not submitting a return are automatically subject to a 25% increase on the previous year's assessment. Appealing Your Property Rights An assessment appeal is not a complaint about higher taxes. It is an attempt to prove that your property's estimated current market value is not accurate. You can ask for a review of your assessment by the Assessor's Office at any time during the year if you believe either of two things: Items that affect the value on your property record card are incorrect - you have one bath not two; you have a carport, not a garage. The estimated market value is too high and you have evidence that similar properties have sold for less than the estimated market value of your property. If you are not satisfied with the Assessor's Office review, you then have the opportunity to appear before the Board of Review and Equalization during the month of February each year. The Board is only concerned whether the value placed on your property is fair and accurate, not whether or not your taxes are too high. After the Board adjourns at the end of February, no changes in assessments can be made until the following year. If the taxpayer wants a hearing in October before the Board of Assessment and Appeals, application must be made by February 20. YOUR TAX BILL The Sheriff's Tax Office is responsible for the layout, printing, and mailing of the tax bills. Questions regarding any of those processes should be directed to the Sheriff of Wetzel County. You should also pay your bill at the Sheriff's Tax Office. If you do not receive a bill and believe that you should have, questions regarding amounts due, delinquencies, or payment due dates should also be directed to the Sheriff's Office. Annual Assessment & Application Deadlines July 1 All property assessed annually, according to its value as of July 1. July 1 - October 1 Filing period for high mileage discount certification. July 1 - September 1 Farm use discount application period. Filing period for business personal property returns. July 1 - December 1 Homestead property tax exemption application period. July 1 - January 31 Period that Assessor's Office will accept individual personal property returns. January 31 Last day for the Assessor to revise real estate & personal property assessments. February 1 - 28 Board of Review and Equalization meets to hear assessment appeals. Gas Industry Assessment Procedures & Potential During the past few years, Wetzel County has seen a substantial growth in lease and sale transactions related to the Marcellus Shale formation. The potential for creating wealth for the owners of those mineral rights as well as for the gas companies leasing, drilling, and producing natural gas in Wetzel County is unlimited. In the gas industry, it is a general practice for a producer to lease the right to drill on a property and, if gas is found, to participate in the revenues from such production. Generally, in past years it was customary for the property owner to receive 1/8 or 12.5% of the revenues from production (royalty interest) and the producer to receive 7/8 or 87.5% of the revenues from production (working interest). These percentages can and do fluctuate, however, according to individual lease terms agreed to by both parties. Both the royalty interest and the working interest created through the lease are subject to property taxation in the State of West Virginia. When production begins, the royalty interest is listed and assessed on the real property books and the working interest is listed and assessed on the personal property books. Therefore, 100% of the receipts from production are assessed annually. The appraisal formula for producing wells is somewhat complicated because it includes estimating annual production for 1st year wells, utilizing actual royalties for 2nd year wells, and calculating a 3 year average for older wells. The appraisal model then capitalizes that value to predict a future income stream and then discounts that future income to a present worth value. In our area the appraised value of the royalty interest usually equals 2-5 times the amount of one year’s income. The assessed value would be 60% of that amount. How do I... map cards tax maps farm maps Estimate Real Estate Tax Property Tax Classification Taxation Valuation Property Value Changes Real Estate Assessments Exemptions Personal Property Assessments Business Personal Property Appealing Your Property Rights Gas Industry Assessment Procedures & Potential Annual Assessment & Application Deadline FAQ

Estimate Property Taxes How do I... find a tax inquiry P.O. Box 367 102 N. Court St. New Cumberland WV, 26047 304-564-3311 ext. 282 Personal Property Taxes are all motor vehicles, mobile homes not listed on real estate, and office equipment and inventory. Personal Property Taxes are available online by clicking the following link: TAX INQUIRY If you did not receive a personal property tax statement, you may not have been assessed. You may contact us at (304) 455-8218 to see if you should have received a tax statement. You may be directed to the Assessor’s Office to file an assessment so a tax statement can be generated. Your current year tax statement is based on what you owned and where you lived on July 1 of the previous year. If you owned a vehicle on July 1st, you will be responsible for the next full year of taxes on that vehicle. If you moved out of state but had vehicles titled in West Virginia on July 1st of the previous year, then you are liable for the full year of taxes. If there is a vehicle listed on your taxes that you did not own on July 1st of the previous year, you will need to contact the Assessor’s Office at (304) 455-8214 to have your assessment reviewed. A Supplemental Tax is a personal property tax that was assessed after the tax books were finished. It is collected the same as any other personal property tax. Personal Property Taxes are mailed out on July 15 and if not paid by April 30 of the following year will be published delinquent with publication fees and interest added. You cannot renew your vehicle registration if you have any delinquent personal property taxes owing.

4-H Campground Layout The Wetzel County 4-H offers 84 30-amp RV camping sites. Very close by there are restrooms for those who stay as well as a fire ring. There is plenty of nearby area to walk or hike in with various trails (see 4-H Camp tab), a kayak launch, and also a fishing platform. All spots have access to dumping, electric, and water. The 30-Amp rental fee is $25 per night. For Booking: Event Coordinator Lori Wykert Cell: 304-266-1607 Email: lwykert@wetzelwv.com BOOK NOW CAMPING RENTAL AGREEMENT DOWNLOAD PLEASE NOTE: WHEN BOOKING A CAMPSITE, YOU MUST ALSO DOWNLOAD, COMPLETE, AND EMAIL BACK THE RENTAL AGREEMENT TO LWYKERT@WETZELWV.COM

Wetzel County Courthouse 4-H Camp Courthouse 911 Center New Martinsville Senior Center Hundred Senior Center Pine Grove Senior Center Paden City Senior Center War Memorial Building “County government as we know it today in West Virginia originated with the passage of the Judicial Amendment of 1880. The Amendment provided for a three-member, elective body; removed most of the county commissioner’s judicial function except limited ones as in settlement of accounts and appointment of guardians and committees; and retained the county court (now commission) with central authority in fiscal matters as its primary function. West Virginia’s counties do not possess inherent rights of self government. They are under the State’s complete control as its creation; and their authority to perform even local functions is spelled out in the Constitution or by legislative enactments. In addition to members of the county commission, the elective officials are sheriff, assessor, prosecuting attorney, surveyor, county clerk and circuit clerk.” —Richard Shelton 1913-2000 Founder of the West Virginia Association of Counties Directions 2024 County Holiday Schedule Shiben Event Center

Wetzel County Departments 911/Emergency Management County Commission Circuit Court County Clerk County Assessor County Sheriff - Law Enforcement County Sheriff - Tax Division County Magistrates County Prosecuting Attorney County Board of Education/Public Schools Other County Government Agencies WVU Extension Office

COVID-19 Information West Virginia Reopening West Virginia Strong: The Comeback Health Health Department How to Protect Yourself and Others Coronavirus Self-checker Coronoavirus.gov Center for Disease Control WV Department of Health & Human Resources Finance Unemployment/Workforce WV Benefits.gov Economic impact payments: What you need to know Business Business Relief Resources and Information

Mollohan Center The Mollohan Center is located at the Wetzel County 4-H Grounds just outside of New Martinsville, WV. This 5,500 sq. ft facility has multiple uses such as dinners, receptions, family reunions, and educational classes. Rental of the Mollohan Center offers you the use of 8-foot rectangular tables and chairs, as well as the use of the commercial kitchen. It also has a sound system with a flat screen tv. The size of the facility offers many options for seating arrangements and décor as well as being climate controlled. Also within the Mollohan Center is a 400 sq. ft. conference room that can also be rented for smaller meetings or events. To book your event at the Mollohan Center, please contact Lori Wykert at 304-266-1607 or email at lwykert@wetzelwv.com WHEN BOOKING, YOU MUST ALSO DOWNLOAD, COMPLETE, AND EMAIL BACK THE RENTAL AGREEMENT TO LWYKERT@WETZELWV.COM BOOK NOW RENTAL AGREEMENT DOWNLOAD The 600 sq. ft. commercial kitchen includes: 3-door commercial refrigerator, 2-door commercial freezer, six-burner gas stove/oven, ice machine, proofer/warmer, two convection ovens, two 3X3 griddles, three basin sink, commercial dishwasher, and a hot bar/cold bar. As stated above, the large banquet hall can easily host any event up to 200 people and allows for various types of seating arrangements to best suite your needs to make sure your event at the Mollohan Center goes as smooth as possible.

Wetzel County 911 Center How do I... Fire Departments Register 911 Addressing Download Employment form Download Floodplain Permit Sign up for CodeRED Director/LEPC President Steve Yoho Phone: 304-455-6960 Fax: 304-455-2909 wce911@frontier.com Administrative Assistant Norma Ritz wcoes@fontier.com Wetzel County OEM/E-911 911 Addressing & Floodplain PO Box 156 New Martinsville, WV 26155 Physical Address: 911 Emergency Service Ln. The Wetzel County 911 Center is the primary contact for all emergencies that occur in Wetzel County regardless of its type; law enforcement, fire, medical, natural disaster or a hazardous material incident. We are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. We are responsible for dispatching and maintaining communication with the following agencies: Ten Fire Departments *Fire Department with ambulance Company 1 - Folsom Fire Department* Company 2 - New Martinsville Fire Department Company 3 - Grandview Fire Department Company 4 - Paden City Fire Department Company 5 - Pine Grove Fire Department Company 6 - Hundred Fire Department Company 7 - Jacksonburg Fire Department Company 9 - Reader Fire Department Company 10 - Silver Hill Fire Department Company 12 - Wileyville Fire Department Four stations of Wetzel County Emergency Ambulance Authority Station 20 (New Martinsville) Station 30 (Grandview) Station 50 (Pine Grove) Station 60 (Hundred) Seven Law Enforcement Agencies we can dispatch Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office New Martinsville Police Department Paden City Police Department Hundred Police Department Pine Grove Police Department West Virginia State Police West Virginia Department of Natural Resources

War Memorial Building BOOK NOW DOWNLOAD RENTAL AGREEMENT War Memorial Building is a historic community building owned by the Wetzel County Commission. It was built in 1929, and is a two-story, buff-colored wire brick building with Neoclassical design elements. The building was dedicated as a living memorial to the World War I veterans and is available for any group in the county to use for meetings or special events. It now serves as a memorial to Wetzel County veterans of all wars. WHEN BOOKING, YOU MUST ALSO DOWNLOAD, COMPLETE AND EMAIL BACK THE RENTAL AGREEMENT TO LWYKERT@WETZELWV.COM First level event space ideal for small gatherings of social clubs or birthday parties up to 25 people, offering plenty of street parking and ease of entry into the building. For Booking: Event Coordinator Lori Wykert Cell: 304-266-1607 Email: lwykert@wetzelwv.com Please view: War Memorial Policies

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