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OVRTA Levies On Nov. Ballot in Wheeling

WHEELING — Mayor Glenn Elliott and Vice Mayor Chad Thalman hope Wheeling voters approve the Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority bus levy on the ballot Nov. 8.

The OVRTA renewal levy would last through 2020 to provide funds for Wheeling’s share of running the bus system. The additional levy will be on Class I property at 4.08 cents per $100 of current assessed value; and Class II property, 8.16 cents. Under the renewal levy, there would be no tax on Class III property, while the rate for Class IV property would be 16.32 cents per $100 of assessed value.

“My understanding is if this doesn’t pass, the bus service could go away. I think it is important that we keep it going,” Thalman said.

Elliott and Thalman said they would like to see transportation options expand in the Friendly City, including the Uber ridesharing service.

“Council voted earlier this year to place a three-year renewal of the OVRTA bus levy, with no tax rate increase, on the ballot. The levy from the city of Wheeling generates about $1.35 million annually, and by law it requires 60 percent voter approval,” Elliott said. “The last levy passed by more than 70 percent approval, and I hope that voters will see fit to extend it as proposed.”

Voters in Bethlehem will also see the OVRTA renewal levy on their ballots.

Also, voters throughout Ohio County will have the opportunity to allow businesses outside the Wheeling city limit, including those at The Highlands, to sell alcohol as early as 10 a.m. on Sundays by approving the so-called “brunch bill.”

Wheeling leaders recently passed an ordinance — via the home rule authority originally granted to them in 2008 — allowing earlier Sunday alcohol sales at businesses within the city limits, with local establishments taking advantage of the opportunity this past Sunday.

“It was brought to us by the (Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau),” Ohio County Commissioner Orphy Klempa said. “It will be up to the people to decide.”

“If it passes, it would let the businesses at The Highlands and the other bars in the county take advantage of the same thing the Wheeling businesses now are,” Klempa added, though he declined to indicate whether he and other county officials are encouraging voters to support the referendum.

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