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Hampshire County commission keeps property-tax levy at rolled-back rate of 14.03 mills
Summary
After a public hearing and discussion of budget pressures and rising property assessments, the Hampshire County Commission voted unanimously to leave the county levy at the rolled-back 14.03 mills rather than restore it to the prior maximum rate.
President Eglanger, Hampshire County Commission, and Commissioner Bridal voted to keep the county property-tax levy at the rolled-back rate of 14.03 mills after a public hearing on the proposed levy.
The commission opened a public hearing at about 6:15 p.m. to consider whether to restore the levy to its previous maximum or leave it at the state-mandated rollback level. Clerk staff explained that rising assessment values would increase county receipts and that, if the commission did not reduce the rate (roll it back), county expenditures would need to be cut by about $69,661 to balance the budget at the lower rollback rate. Clerk staff also said the county could generate roughly $114,000 in additional revenue by restoring the higher rate; President Eglanger said assessments increased county value by roughly $225,000 this year.
Resident Mrs. Parker urged the commission not to raise the levy and asked for specifics about reserve balances and how additional revenue would be spent. “I would feel better about it if I knew specifically what it went for,” Parker said, asking for plans to show how new tax dollars would benefit residents. The clerk responded that the county’s cash and money-market balances fluctuate and gave a rounded reserve figure of about $1,400,000.
Commissioners discussed budget pressures including insurance and payroll costs. President Eglanger said that while additional revenue would make budgeting easier, the assessment-driven revenue increase and recent ambulance fee increase meant he favored not restoring the rate now. Commissioner Bridal, who said he had studied the numbers since taking office, agreed with Eglenger and noted he would feel more comfortable raising the rate if the commission could present a clearer plan for how new dollars would be used.
Commissioner Bridal moved to keep the levy at 14.03 mills; President Eglanger seconded. The motion passed with all commissioners present voting aye.
The commission also approved submission of the 02/25–26 levy estimate to the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office based on the 14.03 mills decision.
Why it matters: The levy decision determines the county’s primary property-tax rate for the coming year and affects bills for homeowners, businesses, the fire levy and library levies. The commission said the choice can be revisited annually.
