Most Town Hall Attendees Say They’d Support a Bus Levy for Moundsville
Shelley Hanson Trending
MOUNDSVILLE -- Most of the people who attended a town hall-style meeting regarding a possible bus tax levy in Moundsville said they were in favor of putting it up for a vote next year.
Moundsville city leaders heard comments on Tuesday during the meeting held at the historic Strand Theatre. Mayor Sara Wood-Shaw said the purpose of the meeting was to allow people to speak in favor of or against placing a tax levy on the November 2024 election ballot. A levy would support running a full-service Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority bus route in the city.
The majority of the people who spoke in favor were not only residents of the city, but people who work in the social services field with clients in need of public transit. A letter signed by 27 residents of a senior apartment building also said they were in favor of having the route. It was read aloud by Shaw.
Just one resident, Phil Remke, appeared to speak against having a levy. He said that city businesses were struggling and did not need extra costs to pay in the form of a new tax.
Marshall County Assessor Eric Buzzard provided a list of figures regarding how much it might cost homeowners if a levy was approved. For example, for a home, aka Class 2 property, with an assessed value of $75,000 it could cost an additional $13.12 per year based on a 0.3500 municipal levy rate.
For a Class 4 property, aka business property, with an assessed value of $75,000 it could cost an additional $17.50 per year based on a 0.7000 municipal levy rate.
Buzzard said if voters approved a bus levy their July 2026 tax bill would be the first impacted.
If Moundsville City Council decides to put a levy up for a vote, it would appear on the November 2024 election ballot. The levy would have to be passed by voters with at least a 60 percent margin.
Shaw said city council would have to first pass an ordinance in order to place the levy on the ballot.
Jake Henry, road supervisor for OVRTA, said stops on the Moundsville route would include WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Walmart, Goodwill plaza, Seventh Street and W.Va. 2, Seventh Street and Poplar Avenue, First Street and Jefferson Avenue, Department of Motor Vehicles and Kroger. He noted after the meeting that the stops could be changed depending on what residents want.
Lisa Weishar, OVRTA finance director, said the cost of a one-way trip would be $1.30. Seniors and disabled riders would pay 65 cents one-way.
Susan Dupkey, who works at the Goodwill training center in Moundsville, said transportation is "the biggest barrier to employment" for residents in her program. By having a bus route in the city more people could access jobs easier.
Dupkey noted as a resident she believes the possible tax levy rates were "reasonable."
"I am 100% for it. Whatever I can do to get the word out, please let me know," she said.
Amy Toler, a West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources case manager and city resident, also said transportation is a barrier to her clients' becoming employed.
She said her clients who live in Benwood and McMechen areas -- two cities that have public bus services -- are given bus passes so they can reach employment in Wheeling. If Moundsville had a full route, clients could seek employment in the city.
Jeff Gazdik, EMS coordinator for WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, believes people without transportation who need emergency care that is not dire could take the bus instead of having to pay for an ambulance bill. This would also keep ambulances available for serious medical emergencies, he added.
"We're very supportive of it and hope you take it into consideration and put it on the ballot," he said.
A representative of West Virginia Rehabilitation Services, Janet Judy of Moundsville, also said transportation is a barrier to employment, in addition to other aspects of life as well.
"This bus route would directly contribute to the success of many of the individuals we work with," she said.
Resident Lisa Krueger said she has a person in her home with a disability who would benefit from public bus service in Moundsville.
"The proposed bus route would increase the independence of people with disabilities," she said.
Tracy Kinney, a representative of the Marshall County Family Resource Network, said her clients have told her the bus route would be helpful in living their lives - including reaching the doctor's office, grocery stores, jobs and more.
Shaw said those who could not attend the town hall meeting can still submit their thoughts on the bus levy by calling the city (304-845-3394) or contacting their council member.
A six-month trial bus service from Wheeling to Moundsville with stops at Reynolds Memorial Hospital and the DMV was successful, leading to OVRTA making that two-stop route on Tuesdays and Thursdays a permanent one.