From left, Brian Raitz and Richard Hayhurst with the Parkersburg-Wood County Public Library appear before the Wood County Commission on Monday to discuss the proposed continuation of the library levy that expires in July 2028. The commission unanimously approved placing the renewal of the levy on the ballot of the May 12 primary election. (Photo by Jess Mancini)

PARKERSBURG — Renewal of the levy for the public library in Wood County was placed on the ballot for the May primary election by the county commission on Monday.

The proposed millage will be the same as the rates in the existing five-year levy that expires as of July 1, 2028, Brian Raitz, executive director of the library, said. So there’s no disruption, the new levy would take effect when the old levy expires, he said.

“We have to (get it on the ballot) now,” he said.

Raitz appeared before the commission with Richard Hayhurst, a member of the library board.

The levy will raise $680,292 a year for each year of the five-year term, Raitz said. The funds will be used to pay for the bond to build the library in South Parkersburg, renovation of the main floor at the library on Emerson Avenue, general operation of the public libraries and for a new library in Williamstown, he said.

In Williamstown, the old library at the former elementary school will be transformed into a new modern facility of about 5,000 square feet, Raitz said.

“I’m excited,” he said. “It looks like it’s going to be a really nice facility.”

Also in the plans is to replace the old Bookmobile with a new vehicle, Hayhurst said. The existing Bookmobile is worn out, he said.

The cost of the vehicle is about $260,000, but $100,000 has been raised through donations and fundraising, Raitz said.

The new levy over its five-year term will raise about $3.4 million and is 36% of the library budget, Raitz said.

“It is the biggest portion of our budget to be honest,” Raitz said. “We would suffer greatly if it does not pass.”

Adoption requires 60% plus 1 of the vote, according to the law, Raitz said.

The existing library levy was defeated in the primary election of May 2022, which was attributed to incorrect wording that implied it was new rather than a renewal, Raitz said. The levy in May 2022 received 56% of the 60% plus 1 required for adoption.

The wording was corrected and placed on the ballot of the general election in November 2022 and was adopted, receiving over 63% of the votes cast.

The levy rates on the various classes of property per $100 assessed valuation is 1.08 cents for Class II, 2.16 cents for Class III, 2.16 cents for Class IV and 0.54 cents for Class 1 property.

In West Virginia, Class I is intangible personal property and personal property exclusively used in agriculture, of which property is not taxed in the classification. Class II is owner-occupied residential property and all farm land used for agricultural purposes. Class III is real and personal property outside of a municipality not taxed in Class I or II. Class IV is all property outside a municipality that is not taxed in Class I or Class II.

The decision to place the levy on the May ballot was unanimous by Commissioners Bob Tebay, Blair Couch and Jimmy Colombo. The primary is May 12 and the Friends of the Library and the board of directors will encourage and promote its passage, Raitz said.

Hayhurst encouraged the commission to contact Raitz or the board if it has any questions.

“Don’t be bashful,” Hayhurst said.

Jess Mancini can be reached by jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.