Special election to determine the fate of two Brooke levies

WELLSBURG - An Oct. 17 special election will determine the fate of two Brooke County excess levies supporting local fire departments, several Brooke County departments and agencies and improvements to the Brooke County Courthouse.

Polling sites, which will be the same as those used in the county's regular elections, will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The levies must be supported by at least 60 percent of voters to be adopted.

Leaders of local fire departments and county officials said the two levies are a vital source of funding, allowing them to provide such services as emergency services, transportation for veterans and seniors, delivery of hot meals to shut-ins, health inspections at local restaurants and free access to computers, books and movies at local libraries.

If approved, the Brooke County fire levy will raise $335,995 per year for five years with the amount to be divided evenly among eleven local fire departments for operations, maintenance, equipment, supplies and liability and other insurance.

Set to receive $30,545 each per year, and $152,725 over the five years, are the Beech Bottom, Bethany, Bethany Pike, Colliers, Follansbee, Franklin Community, Hooverson Heights, McKinleyville, Weirton, Wellsburg and Windsor Heights fire departments.

If approved, the Brooke County ambulance excess levy would raise $718,553 per year for five years for repairs to the county courthouse and several county departments and agencies.

The allocation for courthouse repairs, in the amount of $50,000 per year, is new to the levy, which has generated funds for the ambulance service and other county services for a number of years.

If approved, the levy also will be divided among the following areas: Brooke County Ambulance Service, $183,574; Brooke County Health Department, $131,000; Brooke County Public Library and Follansbee Branch Library, $128,500; Brooke County Parks and Recreation Commission, which operates Brooke Hills Park, $77,000; West Virginia University Extension Service, $55,041; he Brooke County Committee on Aging, which operates the Brooke County Senior Center, $36,500; Healthways Inc., including operation of the Brooke County Opportunity Center and costs for mental hygiene proceedings, $35,000; and the Mary H. Weir Public Library, $21,938.

If the fire levy is passed, Brooke County property owners will pay the following amounts per $100 of the assessed value of property in the following categories: Class I, 1.38 cents; Class II, 2.76 cents; and Classes III and IV, 5.52 cents.

If the ambulance excess levy is passed, Brooke County property owners will pay the following amounts per $100 of the assessed value of property in the following categories: Class I, 2.97 cents;; Class II, 5.94 cents; and Classes III and IV, 11.88 cents.

Voters with questions about property tax should call the county assessor's office at (304) 737-3663. Questions about the election may be answered by the county clerk's office at (304) 737-3661.