City of Elkins Monthly Newsletter: Reprint, June 2026

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The following is a reprint of our June 2026 newsletter.

Inviting Business Owners to Help Elkins Celebrate #America250

As our community prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States during the July 4th weekend, we invite and encourage downtown businesses to help make our city festive and welcoming for our residents and visitors. In anticipation of the downtown parade and ongoing community activities, we ask that businesses decorate storefront windows and building fronts by June 15. Learn more here.

Introducing Elkins’ #America250 Mascots: Sammy and Lynyrd

Lynyrd, a handsome bald eagle, and Sammy, as in Uncle Sam, have already made their mark as Elkins’ #America250 mascots with a whirlwind tour around the Mountain State. They’re available for a photo shoot with your family or community organization. Click here for the Executive Secretary’s contact information if you’d like to schedule a visit!

City Grant Helps AFNHA Connect Community to Outdoor Recreation

A new Elkins resident visits the West Virginia Railroad Museum and the Appalachian Forest Discovery Center at the Darden Mill, where she learns about how Elkins became the city it is today. A family visiting their relatives decides our community is the perfect base from which they can explore the Civil War battlefields that lie within an hour’s drive. What do these moments and experiences have in common? They’re all part of the mission of the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area (AFNHA). An annual City of Elkins grant helps AFNHA with its mission.

How Elkins Supports Our Local Library’s Programming

Within the City of Elkins’ recent implementation of its $7.1 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget, City Council has approved approximately $108,000 of the City’s funds for community grants. Among the grant recipients is the Elkins-Randolph County Public Library, which received $22,500 from the City. Those funds help support our library’s year-round children’s programming.

Hydrant Flushing Began on May 26

Elkins Water Department employees recently opened fire hydrants to flush out city water lines, and the Fire Department will continue occasional testing. During this time, it will be normal to see unattended fire hydrants spraying water under pressure. Water customers may experience temporary discoloration that should clear up within minutes or hours. Flushing began the morning of May 26 and was expected to last until Friday, May 29. The Elkins Fire Department will then perform flow testing on each hydrant to verify that they are operating according to specifications.

Upcoming Events and Holidays

• Elkins Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to Noon, Elkins Town Square
• Our Town Summer Concert Series: Friday, June 12, 7:30 p.m., Rotary Amphitheater
• West Virginia Day: Saturday, June 20: (City Hall offices will be closed on Friday, June 19)
• Father’s Day: Sunday, June 21
• First Day of Summer: Sunday, June 21
• Independence Day: Saturday, July 4 (City Hall offices will be closed on Friday, July 3)
  • NOTE: The emailed version of this newsletter listed the wrong date for Independence Day — of all days to get wrong, we know. We sincerely apologize for the error.
• Elkins Pride in the Park: Saturday, June 27, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Elkins City Park
• 4th of July Parade: Saturday, July 4, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., Elkins City Park

Recent City Hall Actions and Resolutions

Recently, Elkins City Council took these actions:

• Resolution 1912: Appointed Renea Carpenter to the Elkins Building Commission.
• Resolution 1913: Adopted an updated media policy.
• Resolution 1914: Approved a contract with Tammy’s Floral for the 2026 downtown flowers program.
• Resolution 1915: Authorized the use of TIF revenues toward the local match requirement for a DOH Recreational Trails Program grant supporting construction of a skills area at Glendale Park.
• Resolution 1916: Authorized execution of a contract with Mitchel Tree Care, LLC and Landscape Consulting LLC for FY 2027.
• Resolution 1917: Adopted a new organization chart restructuring the Human Resources Department (effective June 6, 2026).
• Resolution 1918: Accepted the terms of and authorized a contract with USDA APHIS for FY 2027.
• Resolution 1919: Authorized advancement of certain TIF District #1 projects and related engineering and procurement actions.
• Resolution 1920: Approved a memorandum of understanding with Woodlands Development Group concerning TIF District #1 project coordination services.

The following is an overview of some of the committees’ and boards’ recent work:

• Water Board: Discussed and considered a possible acquisition of the Whitmer Water System and discussed a service line insurance program from HomeServe.
• Personnel: Considered a reorganization of the City’s HR department; the City’s compensation and job classification plans; and the ongoing IT project at City Hall.
• Planning Commission: Reviewed and discussed the City’s latest 10-year comprehensive plan.
• Sanitary Board: Discussed procurement for bond counsel and local legal counsel for the Trickett Lane wastewater improvements project.
• Regional Task Force on Homelessness, Addiction, and Mental Health: Updates included how the Icelandic recovery project is progressing; a community catalyst grant; and a new recovery facility set to open in September 2026.
• Municipal Properties: Discussed a development plan for the veterans’ park; an  extension of the Ellis Avenue right-of-way; and the possibility of a sidewalk improvement grant.

Finance Department updates

• Utility and in-city fire fees bills are due June 18.
• FY 2027 business license renewals have been mailed out and are due by June 30.

Image credit: Leon Kaye