CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Kanawha County Sheriff Mike Rutherford says his department and those with other public safety agencies take very seriously money that comes from the Public Safety Levy.
That levy is up for renewal in the May 8 election. Supporters held a midday rally Wednesday in Charleston.
Two committees help make the decisions on how the money is spent, Rutherford said.
“These are really looked at very closely. If it (the request for funding) is something that is frivolous or something that is not needed–it’s taken care of pretty quick. We don’t want to have the problem with the public thinking we are wasting their money. We don’t want that to happen,” Rutherford said.
The levy has been around for 30 years but Rutherford said it’s not something to take for granted.
“It’s not like you can have 51 percent or one more than 50 percent of those who vote–you need a super majority (60 percent) for passage. So it’s very critical,” he said. “We need people to get out and vote along with their friends and families.”
The sheriff’s department mainly uses the funds for equipment purchases, Rutherford said.
“It’s buying and keeping updated on patrol cars, training, bullet-proof vests. You name it. It’s used for a myriad of things,” he said.
The levy also provides more than $7 million a year for the Kanawha Regional Transportation (KRT) Authority.
Supporters point out a vote for the levy is a renewal–the current tax rate will stay in place.