Related Video: Voters share mixed feelings on Cabell County School Excess Levy ahead of primary election
CABELL COUNTY, WV (WOWK) – A controversial school board levy in Cabell County has been struck down by voters.
The controversial levy included cutting county parks and libraries funding significantly. However, this would have helped the school district balance their budget for past and potential future decline in student enrollment.
Voters share mixed feelings on Cabell County School Excess Levy ahead of primary election
Property taxes would have stayed the same, but funding for parks and libraries would have been divvied up into other needs in the school district. For Cabell County Public Libraries, they will lose/would have lost around 20% of their funding. As for the parks, their funding would have been reduced by approximately 64%.
The excess levy on the ballot is different from previous years. This levy would have instead allocated a fixed dollar amount between 2025 and 2030 that would not grow with tax collections, which could lead to diminishing money each year.
Cabell County libraries plan for cuts if levy passes
Protests, lawsuits and overturned court rulings led to the Cabell County School Board Levy being added to the primary ballot.
With the levy on the ballot, the libraries began preparing in the event they would need to reduce library hours, place a freeze on hiring, remove positions, decrease programs, close some libraries, and even lay off employees if it comes down to it.