MORGANTOWN — It appears likely that all four excess levies currently on the books in Monongalia County will be renewed.
Likely, but not yet certain.
The four-year levies needed to surpass the 60% threshold to receive approval and carry over when the current five-year levies expire on June 30, 2021.
Numbers at the end of Tuesday’s voting included:
Volunteer fire — 81.20% (16,996 for, 3,936 against)
Parks, trails and recreation 78.64% (16,563 for, 4,500 against)
Public libraries — 72.46% (15,149 for, 5,758 against) and
Public transit — 66.55% (13,789 for, 6,930 against).
However, as long as absentee ballots are postmarked on or before Election Day, they will be counted.
Monongalia County Carye Blaney said there remains the potential for as many as 2,300 absentee ballots to trickle in this week. She said more than 12,250 absentee ballots were included in the unofficial Election night results.
If all four end up remaining over the 60% threshold, it will represent a total of 4.66 cents on every $100 of assessed Class II property (residential) and 9.32 cents on every $100 of Class III and IV property (commercial) for taxpayers in year one.
Public Transit
If any of the levies are at risk coming off Tuesday’s results, it’s public transit, sitting at 66% approval. It’s also the largest of the four levies.
Even so, Mountain Line Executive Director Dave Bruffy is feeling confident.
“If the trend in the absentee ballots follows what we’ve seen so far as results, I’m pleased and relieved,” Bruffy said. “With all the other issues that we have to deal with as a community, the continuation of public transit as a service isn’t one of them. I’m so thankful to the community for their support and their confidence.”
With the same rates as the current iteration, the levy will generate approximately $1,994,843 annually, for a four-year total of $7,979,372.
Volunteer Fire
The levy supporting the county’s 12 volunteer fire departments has received the nod from more than 80% of voters thus far.
“That’s great. I’m so glad, and I’m so appreciative of all the people who voted for us,” Monongalia County Volunteer Fire Association President Bob Brookover said of Tuesday’s results. “I honestly think this time was more important with everything that’s going on, we couldn’t get out and push for it outside making a few phone calls. I just appreciate it so much. It means so, so much to these volunteer departments.”
The levy will be on a four-year sliding scale. It’s anticipated to generate $689,129 in the first year and a four-year total of $2,865,324.
Parks, trails and recreation
The levy, which currently sits at 78.64% approval, will generate $1,051,828 annually and a four-year total of $4,207,312, based on the same rates as the current iteration.
The money will be divided among BOPARC, the county park system, the Mon River and Deckers Creek Rail Trails, the West Virginia Botanic Garden, Cheat Lake and Laurel Point soccer clubs and Westover baseball.
“The parks, trails and recreation levy group is very happy about the early results and hopeful and waiting to hear the official word,” Mon River Trails Conservancy Executive Director Ella Belling said, adding “Thank you to all the voters for showing their support and choosing to fund all of us in this diverse mix of parks, trails and recreational facilities.”
Public Libraries
“We are so pleased with the support and the turnout and really glad to see the support has increased over the last four years,” Morgantown Public Library Director Sarah Palfrey said. “It means a lot to us that people believe in their library.”
Like all but the volunteer fire levy, the rates of the levy — anticipated to raise about $489,644 annually, for a four-year total of $1,958,576 — will not change.
The levy, currently at 72.46% approval, covers general operations for the Morgantown Public Library, the Aull Center and all the branches — Cheat Area, Clinton District, Clay-Battelle and Arnettsville.
Totals
Between Election Day voting, early voting and the absentee ballots already counted, 21,969 or 30.74% of the county’s 71,458 registered voters have participated thus far. Those numbers included 7,644 Republican ballots (35.32% of registered Republicans), 13,090 Democrat ballots (44.86% of registered Democrats), and 1,235 nonpartisan ballots.
All results are unofficial until certified through canvassing, which begins Monday.
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