CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Some of the faces are the same, some of the titles are different, but the process for approving next calendar year’s property tax assessments for major utility and business property continues on.

The West Virginia Board of Public Works met Monday morning to accept the tentative values for public service business property for the tax year beginning on Jan. 1, 2026. It is the first step in the process for finalizing property tax rates for large utilities in West Virginia.

According to Tax Commissioner Matthew Irby, the tentative tax year 2026 total assessment for all utilities was $16.3 billion, which was 10.2% more than the tax year 2025 total assessment of $14.8 billion, resulting in a $1.5 billion increase in total assessments.

The largest driver of increased assess

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