Harrison County board hears public library funding plea as members clarify $2,000 medical allotment under proposed levy

Shannon Beam, interim director of the Clarksburg Harrison Public Library, told the Harrison County Board of Education at a special budget hearing that extensive roof leaks forced the library to close its upstairs and that the facility needs an estimated $160,000 roof replacement.

Beam said the library and five other county libraries receive about $200,000 annually from the school levy and that the county support is “substantial” for maintaining buildings, staffing and outreach programs. “Books and water do not mix,” she said, describing the leaks that closed the upstairs as “streams” and urging prompt repairs.

The library director described a broad outreach operation that brings a mobile library to schools, community centers, long-term care facilities and pop-up locations such as shopping plazas. Beam told the board the library offers more than books — circulating STEM kits, tools and equipment, providing passport services and hosting programs for all ages — and that last year the library accepted 366 passports, which generated about $10,000 in revenue.

A member of the Harrison County Board of Education suggested the board publicize the levy’s role in funding county libraries and take a photo to show taxpayers how levy proceeds are used. Board members and staff noted the library payments come from the district’s excess levy.

Board members then turned to budget specifics for district employees under the proposed levy. A board member asked whether the proposed $2,000 medical allotment would apply to the 2026–27 school year under the new levy proposal; a district staff member confirmed that was the intent. Board discussion clarified that the health reimbursement arrangement being discussed would apply only to employees who carry their health insurance through PEIA (Public Employees Insurance Agency). A staff member characterized the HRA as intended to offset increased deductibles and premiums for employees on the district health plan.

Participants discussed the share of employees enrolled in the district health plan; a staff speaker described the rate as roughly 75 percent but called that figure approximate. Several board members asked whether the district could offer the HRA to employees who use other insurance; staff responded that the proposed HRA was structured specifically for employees covered by the district’s PEIA plan because the district was addressing out-of-pocket costs for those employees.

No formal vote on the levy or the HRA was recorded at the meeting. The hearing concluded with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and carried by voice vote.

The board did not adopt a final levy or take a recorded roll-call vote at this session; further meetings or agenda items will be required to finalize any changes to the levy or to add district benefits.