The Times West Virginian

Local News

June 24, 2009

Fairmont council exploring excess levy

To raise money needed to repair, repave city streets

By J. Miles Layton

FAIRMONT — Council may be considering a proposal for an excess levy to raise money needed to repair and repave city streets.

Though the figures are far from finalized, the five-year levy could raise up to $4.7 million. Under a draft proposal generated by city staff, a property owner whose property is assessed at $100,000 could pay an additional $75 a year. Homeowners who qualify under the homestead act — senior citizens and disabled people — could pay $50 more in taxes on a home assessed at $100,000. Commercial property owners would pay $150 more in taxes for property assessed at $100,000.

City Planner Jay Rogers, who is acting city manager while Jim Snider interviews for a job in Illinois, said if council indicates that it will support an excess levy, city staff will begin the process of making this possible so that the measure can appear on the ballot for the May primary in 2010.

“Council is just exploring this option right now,” he said. “It’s harder and harder to fund paving at a level where we have a meaningful paving program. We want to do this at a level where we truly have an impact. I’m getting a sense from council that they truly want to make these types of improvements to the community.”

A similar levy was narrowly defeated in 2006.

While council has to yet to voice its opinion of the levy, Mayor Matt Delligatti came armed with facts and figures about streets paved within the past few years.



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