Dec 12, 2013 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – The sale by Consol Energy Inc. of five of its coal mines in northern West Virginia to Murray Energy will result in some unexpected revenue for Greene County school districts and municipalities.

Consol filed documents Tuesday with the Greene County register and recorder’s office transferring assets of six of its subsidiaries through a quitclaim deed, assignment and bill of sale to the Consol Mining Co. LLC, apparently as part of the transaction.

The company is required to pay a 2 percent realty transfer tax based on the value of the properties.

Three of the mines sold under the stock purchase agreement, Blacksville No. 2, McElroy and Shoemaker, have coal reserves in Greene County. The sale also involved Consol’s river operations as well as other assets associated with the companies’ operations.

The value of the properties involves in the transfer in Greene County totals $19,318,684, according to documents filed with the register and recorder. The 2 percent realty transfer tax will generate $386,373.68.

One percent of the realty transfer tax is paid to the state, while the remaining 1 percent is divided evenly between the municipalities and school districts in which the properties are located.

Revenue generated by the 1 percent for local school districts and municipalities will total $193,186.84.

Tom Headlee, Greene County register and recorder, said though he has seen bigger payouts from the sale or transfer of properties in the past, Consol’s transaction will provide a little additional revenue to local municipalities and school districts. “It will give the school districts and municipalities a nice start for their budgets next year,” he said.

Municipalities that will share in the distribution and the amounts they will receive by school district are:

• In the Central Greene School District, Wayne Township will receive $20,222.92; Franklin Township, $12,687.67; Perry Township, $1,393.08; and Whiteley Township, $4,171.13. Central Greene will receive $38,474.81.

• In the Southeastern Greene School District, Greene Township will receive $79.03 and Monongahela Township, $25,918.55. Southeastern Greene will receive $25,997.58.

• In the Jefferson-Morgan School District, Jefferson Borough will receive $298.92; Jefferson Township, $11,567.92; and Rices Landing Borough, $8,569.27. Jefferson-Morgan will receive $20,436.11.

• In the West Greene School District, Center Township will receive $1,836.29; Gilmore Township, $4,729.67; Jackson Township, $1,756.75; and Richhill Township, $516.46. West Greene School District will receive $8,839.18.

• In the Carmichaels Area School District, Cumberland Township and the school district will each receive $2,845.73.