CHARLESTON, W.Va. — When Kanawha County voters participate in this year’s primary election, they will be voting on more than just candidates for federal, state and local offices; the public safety levy will be up for voter approval as well.
At least 60 percent of voters must approve of the $17.8 million levy, which goes to the county ambulance, fire, police and sheriff’s office service, as well as the Kanawha Regional Transportation Authority, who receives $7.8 million of the levy.
“If the levy would fail, then KRT would not have any way to match any other funding,” KRT Assistant General Manager Doug Harlety said. “For us, it would put us out of business.”
The levy has only failed to reach the 60 percent threshold twice, in which local officials put the matter up for a vote again and the issue passed.
The levy has more importance this year for KRT; the authority was recently notified it would receive $300,000 less in federal funding.
“The levy is so important to us,” Hartley said. “It helps us fill that stopgap and it also allows us to match the funds that are available to us.”
KRT cannot promote voting for the levy. According to Hartley, the Charleston Area Alliance and local business leaders promote voting in favor of the levy.
Early voting begins Wednesday and runs through May 5. Election day is May 8.