KINGWOOD — Preston County voters will have the option to renew a levy supporting its volunteer fire departments in May’s primary election.
The Preston County Commission unanimously authorized the county clerk to place the levy on the ballot at its regular meeting on Wednesday.
Chief Owen Evans of Albright Volunteer Fire Department brought a draft of the proposed levy to the commission at its Dec. 28 meeting. He explained the county’s fire association wanted to put the levy on the primary ballot because it would give them a second shot in November, should it fail.
County Prosecutor James Shay reviewed the levy and made some minor language changes, County Administrator Kathy Mace said.
If passed, the new levy will begin July 1, 2023. Its last year will start on July 1, 2027. Annually, the proposed levy is estimated to raise $583,530 — or $3,150,000 over the five-year term — and there is a provision in the levy that it will not raise more than $630,000 annually.
The funds will cover expenses including equipment, fire department facilities, supplies, vehicle maintenance and insurance for all 12 of the county’s volunteer fire departments.
Each year, the Preston County Fire Association will receive $30,000 — the rest will be divided equally among the 12 departments, the proposed levy states.
Evans told commissioners during his presentation the fire association funds will be used to fund joint efforts such as the HAZMAT, dive, and search and rescue teams. Additionally, the association would like to build an in-county training facility.
All departments will use at least 10% of the money they get toward retention, recruitment and training of firefighters.
Also at Wednesday’s meeting, Mace told commissioners the county’s plow truck was going to the shop Thursday for repairs and it shouldn’t take too long.
“I just want to thank the contractors that we’re working with that have been very cooperative and added us to their list at the last moment,” Mace said. “So I really, really appreciate that.”
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