W.Va. Boy Scout reserve seeking property measure
CHARLESTON (AP) — West Virginia’s new home for the Boy Scouts of America’s National Jamboree is still hoping the state will amend its constitution to resolve a property tax issue.
Lawyer Steve McGowan asked lawmakers on Tuesday to revive the necessary measure on behalf of the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve.
The sprawling Fayette County compound is the permanent host of the National Jamboree starting next July.
The Legislature passed several bills earlier this year to help the Summit. But an unsuccessful measure sought to allow the Summit to lease its facilities to for-profit organizations.
As the Summit is tax-exempt, it can only lease to charities. McGowan said a voter-approved constitutional amendment would permit the Summit’s corporate sponsors and others to use such facilities as its planned 80,000-person capacity amphitheater.
