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NEW CUMBERLAND -- Both of Hancock County's long-time levies will be continuing following approval by county voters Tuesday.
The Hancock County Library Levy, which will provide $200,000 per year for four years in support of the Mary H. Weir Public Library in Weirton; the Swaney Memorial Library in New Cumberland; and the Lynn Murray Memorial Public Library in Chester, passed its 60 percent approval threshold, receiving 5,392 in favor and 3,045 against.
The levy would be in effect from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027, providing $148,156 per year to the Mary H. Weir Public Library, $27,408 per year for the Lynn Murray Memorial Library and $24,436 per year to the Swaney Memorial Library.
Under the terms of the levy, Class I properties would be taxed 0.57 cents for $100 of assessed value, Class II properties 1.14 cents per $100, and Class III and Class IV both taxed 2.28 cents per $100.
In the event more than $200,000 is raised through the levy during a particular fiscal year, those additional funds "shall be transferred to the general fund" of the county "for expenditure...for recreational purposes only."
The Hancock County Schools Levy saw an approval of 5,407 in favor and 2,988 against.
The five-year levy school will raise an estimated $8.6 million per year beginning July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029.
Tax rates on the levy will remain as with prior years, with the levy call listing rates of 22.95 cents per $100 of assessed value on Class I properties; 45.90 cents per $100 on Class II; 91.80 cents per $100 on Class III; and 91.80 cents per $100 on Class IV properties.
Under the call of the levy, funds will be distributed for the following:
To provide instructional and extra-curricular materials, supplies, equipment and classroom furniture, which would include all levels of curriculum, including Special Education and Career and Technical Education, approximately $80,000 annually.
To improve access to technology through the purchase of hardware, computer software, infrastructure repair, training and support, approximately $60,000 annually
To maintain and make improvements to outdoor athletic fields, grounds and indoor gymnasiums, to provide for capital improvements, renovations, repair and/or maintenance of Hancock County Schools structures and equipment, to maintain and replace roofs and heating/ventilation/air conditioning on Hancock County Board of Education owned structures, approximately $974,774 annually.
To provide copiers and supplies, approximately $60,000 annually
To provide professional support services to assist with child abuse and child neglect cases including trauma and social and emotional support, approximately $70,000 annually
To provide support to the Hancock County WVU Extension Service, approximately $40,000 annually
To continue to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students enrolled in Hancock County Schools, approximately $350,000
To provide legal and medical services including homebound, occupational therapy, physical therapy and psychological services to Hancock County Schools, to contract with other agencies for student or professional services such as, but not limited to, technology, hearing impaired and vision impaired, to provide services, programs and equipment for students within the autism spectrum, approximately $350,000 annually
To provide safety and security improvements and services, including prevention resource officers, security technology, entrance/exit doors, safety and security enhancements and services, approximately $725,000 annually
To provide toward employee salaries/benefits/fixed charges
To provide professional service and administrative salary supplements, and fixed charges, approximately $4,300,000 annually
Provide extra duty wages and fixed charges for the purpose of academic and athletic trips for parochial and Hancock County, approximately $150,000 annually
Provide extracurricular athletic positions, including athletic trainer and athletic sponsor, to the high school and middle school athletic programs, approximately $585,000 annually
Provide substitutes for professional and service positions, approximately $275,000 annually
Provide dental and optical insurance for eligible professional and service employees, approximately $550,000 annually
Provide extra duty salary supplements for curricular and non-curricular positions and fixed charges, annual supplemental contracts for summer school, counselors, Saturday school, enrichment programs, unfunded mandates and unforeseen expenses, approximately $75,000 annually.