Morgantown City Council Debates Lifting Sales Tax Restrictions on Parks Funding

BOPARC officials warn that removing set allocations could threaten recent park improvements.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:06am

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A serene, painterly image of a park bench bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, conveying a sense of contemplation and the importance of public green spaces in the community.As Morgantown City Council debates the future of parks funding, the city's public spaces remain a source of community pride and investment.Morgantown Today

Morgantown City Council is considering removing the restrictions on how the city's 1% sales tax revenue is allocated, with some councilors arguing for more budgetary flexibility. However, BOPARC representatives strongly oppose the move, warning it could jeopardize recent park upgrades and expansions funded by the sales tax.

Why it matters

The sales tax revenue has been a crucial source of funding for Morgantown's parks and recreation system, helping address years of deferred maintenance and enabling new amenities. BOPARC officials argue that removing the set allocations could put this progress at risk as the city faces other fiscal constraints.

The details

The city's 1% sales tax, which took effect in 2020, stipulates that the revenue be split evenly between BOPARC, police and fire pension obligations, capital improvement projects, and the general fund. Councilor Mark Downs initiated the discussion, arguing that the set allocations limit organizational flexibility to adapt to changing needs and priorities. However, BOPARC representatives Jenny Selin and Danielle Trumble strongly opposed the idea, warning that it would effectively "take money away" from the parks department despite its recent progress. Deputy Mayor Brian Butcher tried to clarify that removing the set allocations wouldn't automatically reduce BOPARC's funding, but Selin and Trumble remained unconvinced.

  • The 1% sales tax took effect on July 1, 2020.
  • The sales tax is expected to generate $10.7 million in the upcoming fiscal year.

The players

Morgantown City Council

The governing body of the city of Morgantown, West Virginia, responsible for budgeting and policy decisions.

BOPARC

The Board of Parks and Recreation, the agency responsible for managing Morgantown's parks and recreation facilities.

Jenny Selin

Morgantown City Councilor and longtime BOPARC member.

Danielle Trumble

Mayor of Morgantown and longtime BOPARC member.

Mark Downs

Morgantown City Councilor who initiated the discussion on removing the sales tax allocation restrictions.

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What they’re saying

“I'm just not a big fan of set allocations, period. I think they limit organizational flexibility to manage evolving needs ... Things are dynamic. Fiscal conditions change. Service demands and community priorities evolve.”

— Mark Downs, Morgantown City Councilor

“It's not like we're all of a sudden saying BOPARC is getting less money. I mean, that's not an immediate thing that happens by saying this allocation is not going ...”

— Brian Butcher, Deputy Mayor of Morgantown

“No, it's an immediate thing that happens.”

— Jenny Selin, Morgantown City Councilor

“I am not thrilled with this conversation as we're talking about BOPARC taking on the Flegal Reservoir recreation area, and lower Greenmont park/greenspace recreation area, and possibly Suncrest Primary recreation area. We are pushing more and more and now we're like, 'No, we're already giving them too much money.'”

— Danielle Trumble, Mayor of Morgantown

“BOPARC is providing those things. BOPARC is building restrooms in Marilla Park. BOPARC is building restrooms in Krepps Park. BOPARC is doing that and stepping up to the plate for the things that people are asking for, and I will never vote to take money away from them.”

— Danielle Trumble, Mayor of Morgantown

What’s next

The Morgantown City Council will continue to debate the potential changes to the sales tax allocation restrictions in future meetings.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the tension between budgetary flexibility and the need to protect funding for critical public services like parks and recreation. As Morgantown faces fiscal constraints, the council must carefully weigh the implications of any changes to the sales tax allocations to ensure the city's parks system can maintain its recent progress.