Local Leadership Questions Changes to Development Authority Structure
County Actions to Change JCDA Raise Concerns, Questions
The Independent Observer | Wednesday, March 19, 2025
A recent County Commission vote to alter the structure and operations of the Jefferson County Development Authority has sparked concerns among local leaders from Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, and Shepherdstown. The proposed changes would reduce board membership from 15 to 13 and eliminate specific representation requirements, leading the JCDA board to table the discussion for further review. Members of the Charles Town City Council, including board representative Elizabeth Ricketts, questioned the legality and intent of the Commission’s actions during their meeting, raising concerns over potential control of downtown redevelopment projects. This evolving situation has prompted calls for further updates at upcoming City Council meetings, underscoring the tensions between local governance and development authority regulations. The Independent Observer reports on these developments.
