Craig Howell GO VOTE – Hancock County residents are being asked to vote on a renewal of the county's long-time levy in support of three public libraries. The levy must be approved by a minimum of 60 percent of the vote to remain in effect.

A long-running levy in support of Hancock County’s three public libraries is set to appear on the May 12 primary election ballot.

If approved by county voters, the levy will continue to provide $200,000 per year in support of the libraries — the Mary H. Weir Public Library in Weirton, the Swaney Memorial Library in New Cumberland and the Lynn Murray Memorial Public Library in Chester.

“We need a majority of 60 percent to pass,” said Molly Mossor, chair of the board for the Mary H. Weir Public Library.

The levy was approved by county commissioners for placement on the ballot Jan. 22.

Under the terms of the levy, Class I properties are taxed at a rate of 0.49 cents per $100 of assessed value, Class II properties at 0.98 cents per $100, Class III at 1.96 cents per $100 and Class IV also at 1.96 cents per $100.

The assessments would take effect July 1, 2027, and run through June 30, 2031.

Mossor noted this is the same levy that has been in place for years, with no increase in the amount of funding to be raised.

Traditionally, the Mary H. Weir Public Library has received $148,156 per year through the levy, while the Lynn Murray Memorial Library receives $27,408 per year and the Swaney Memorial Library receives $24,436 per year.

“It’s a renewal, so it’s not going to hurt anything,” Mossor said.

In fact, the rates are lower than those of the levy when it was last approved in 2022. At that time, the levy included rates of 0.57 cents for Class I properties, 1.14 cents for Class II and 2.28 cents for Class III and Class IV properties.

During that election, the levy received 5,392 votes in favor and 3,045 votes against.

The levy stipulates that if more than $200,000 is raised through the assessments, the additional funds are to be transferred to the county’s general fund, with the stipulation they be used only for recreational purposes.