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Board hears large tax‑revenue shortfall; union asks district to consider permanent pay increase
Summary
Finance official Steve Bennett reported a sharp drop in tax revenue compared with last year; Education West Virginia asked the board to convert a winter stipend into a permanent 5% local pay raise and to increase supplemental pay for academic coaches.
Ohio County’s finance staff told the board on April 27 that tax revenue is significantly below last year’s receipts and that the district will monitor cash flow and budget plans as the shortfall becomes clearer.
Steve Bennett, speaking for the finance office, said March tax revenue last year was $10,100,000 while the most recent tax draw for the same month was $2,800,000. "Beyond that, tax revenue last year compared to this year to date was about $13,000,000 more last year," Bennett said, and he identified an outstanding property owner who had not made payments — a liability he estimated at roughly $6,000,000 spread across Ohio County. Bennett described the timing of tax receipts and said the office had prepared for revenue declines and will continue to monitor cash flow.
Separately, Tim Trevary, co‑president of Education West Virginia (Ohio County local 8268), told the board that state lawmakers had not stabilized PEIA (the Public Employees Insurance Agency), had not addressed the school‑funding formula, and had not limited the HOPE voucher program; he urged the board to convert funds used for a winter stipend into a permanent local pay increase. "Transforming the winter stipend into a permanent pay raise will help keep our best educators and service personnel here in Ohio County... We are asking that the funds that went into the winter stipend be made permanent through a salary increase for all Ohio County schools, educators, and service personnel," Trevary said, and he requested a 5% local pay raise and a match to Marshall County’s $1,675 supplemental pay for academic coaches (OCS currently provides $250).
Board members thanked the presenters and said they would work with legislative contacts on state‑level issues; finance staff said they had budgetary measures and were monitoring revenue timing and possible late payments that could reduce the apparent shortfall.
The board did not adopt new compensation policy at the meeting; Trevary's presentation was a formal request to start local discussions and planning ahead of next year’s levy and budget cycle.
