Where I stand on what matters to Berkeley County.
Four issues. Real numbers. The votes that prove who's been fighting for you — and who hasn't.
ISSUE 1: SAFETY & IMPACT FEES
What’s Happening: Mike Hite has proposed a public safety fee. A previous version got killed in committee — by Republicans. He's trying again via referendum. Meanwhile, Berkeley County has had an impact fee on new construction
since October 2025 — set at $5,300 per unit. Jefferson County, right next door, charges roughly $9,000+.
Where I Stand: We don't need a new fee on residents. We need two things…First, the state needs to fund locality pay for State Police in the Eastern Panhandle so we can keep officers who can afford to live here. Second, our impact fee on developers should match Jefferson County's. The growth they're driving is straining the schools, roads, and emergency services we already have.
I appealed to the County Commission to set the impact fee at Jefferson County's level. They declined. That was a choice. When developers don't pay, taxpayers pay.
If elected, I will: Push the legislature to fund State Police so locality pay can go to the locality. Oppose any new public-safety fee on residents. Advocate at the county level for impact fees that match Jefferson County's.
More Information:
ISSUE 2: BEDINGTON DATA CENTER & HB 2014
What’s Happening: In February 2026, Governor Morrisey announced a $4 billion data center project on 548 acres of farmland in Bedington.
The project will use an estimated 2 to 5 million gallons of water per day, in a county already in drought (at least that’s what is rumored due to a nondisclosure agreement keeping the actual number from going public). It will only create approximately 125 permanent jobs. For comparison: the Procter & Gamble facility in Berkeley County employs 1,400 people.
In addition, HB 2014 stripped Berkeley County of getting reimbursed for the impact. The bill sets the property-tax revenue split at roughly 30% to us and 70% leaving the county — most of it routed into a statewide personal income tax reduction fund. It also exempts these projects from FOIA disclosure.
The math: Berkeley County hosts the data center, takes the strain on water, roads, and the power grid, and loses 70% of the property tax it generates. In exchange, every West Virginian — including us — gets a small income tax cut. Berkeley County pays the cost. The whole state collects the benefit.
Mike Hite voted YES on HB 2014 in April 2025 (LINK: Roll Call 575). Delegate Chris Anders, a Republican representing parts of Berkeley County, voted NO. This is not a partisan issue, this is a community issue.
Where I Stand: I'm not against data centers. I'm a states' rights guy and a landowner — if a property owner wants to sell, that's their right. What I'm against is the deal. The bill was marketed as a microgrid bill. The county was promised brownfield and strip-mine sites. We got 548 acres of farmland in a drought, with 30% of the revenue and no local say.
If elected, I will: Push to repeal HB 2014 and rewrite it. Flip the split — 70% to the host county, 30% to the state. Use that revenue for the local water and road infrastructure these projects strain.
More Information:
ISSUE 3: THE RAIN TAX
What’s Happening: Berkeley County is the only county in West Virginia paying a stormwater utility fee. It was created in 2019 to comply with EPA Phase II requirements tied to Chesapeake Bay cleanup. The county accepted a one-time federal grant — and then created a recurring fee on residents to fund the ongoing program.
Where I Stand: I live in Back Creek Valley, on the far side of the mountain. Anything that runs off my roof goes back into my own groundwater — not toward the Chesapeake Bay. I'm being charged for a problem I'm not creating. A duck is a duck. A fee is a tax. This is taxation without representation.
Worth noting: This fee was put in place under an all-Republican County Commission. This is a partisan failure, not a Democratic one.
If elected, I will: Co-sponsor the rain-tax ban legislation and push it through committee. At minimum, exempt rural properties not served by public water infrastructure.
More Information:
ISSUE 4: SCHOOLS, GROWTH, & ROUTE 9 WEST
What’s Happening: Berkeley County is one of the fastest-growing counties in West Virginia. There's a $115.4 million school bond on the May 12 ballot to build a new Hedgesville Middle School.
Route 9 West congestion has been talked about for 50 years. No bypass was built when it was possible without displacing residents. Now there's no easy path forward — but doing nothing isn't an answer either.
Where I Stand: I back the bond. Our teachers and our kids cannot wait. However, the bond is a symptom, not a solution. Without representation in Charleston that pushes back on unmanaged growth and developer giveaways, we'll keep funding infrastructure for growth we never approved.
If elected, I will: Vote for the school bond. Push for higher developer impact fees. Build a coalition with the Governor, the Department of Highways, and other Eastern Panhandle delegates and senators to demand a real plan for Route 9 West — not another 50 years of talk.
More Information:
VOTE COMPARISON CHART
| Bill / Issue | Mike Hite | Brad Noll |
|---|---|---|
| Data Center Bill (HB 2014) | Voted YES. Stripped local authority. | Would vote NO. Will work to repeal. |
| Rain Tax Ban (HB 4675) | Has not introduced or co-sponsored. | Will co-sponsor and lead the ban. |
| Public Safety Fee | Has proposed new local tax. | Oppose. Push for state locality pay. |
| State Police Locality Pay | Has not introduced legislation. | Will introduce and fight for funding. |
| Developer Impact Fees | Maintained lower fees ($5,500). | Pushed to raise fees; will lead at state level. |