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MARIETTA -- Washington County voters approved library, 911 services and behavioral health levies Tuesday, supporting continued library operations and funding for school counseling, mental health treatment and recovery services, as well as support for the 911 dispatch.
Washington County Public Library Director Justin Mayo said the 0.5-mill library levy's passage will allow branches to maintain their schedules and give the system the funding needed to address delayed projects and maintenance.
"Basically, what's going to happen is we can continue to operate the way we're operating," Mayo said.
That includes branches in outlying parts of the county, whose operations Mayo said had been a concern before the election. Those locations will continue operating on their current schedules, he said.
Mayo said the library expects to spend the next six to eight months catching up on projects. Among those is work on the river museum, which he said is expected to open in February or March.
Without the levy's passage, Mayo said, he had been unsure whether the library could move forward with opening the museum. The system also faces maintenance needs that will require significant spending.
Mayo said he spent Wednesday morning collecting campaign banners and receiving congratulations from residents.
"Thank you for showing you appreciate the library and everything that we do," he said.
A five-year renewal of a 0.35-mill levy for Washington County's 911 system passed with 67.48% approval.
"(The levy) ensures that all the dispatch centers are able to maintain their standards and can be in compliance with state regulations," said Douglas Moore, executive director of Washington County 911 Services.
The levy was initially established in 2016 and supports 50% of the dispatcher salaries for the Washington County Sheriff's Office, two full time dispatchers at the Marietta Police Department and funds the software licensing, maintenance and equipment for the Belpre Police Department.
"I want to thank the people of Washington County for supporting 911 and ensuring that we have the funding that we need to continue operating," said Moore.
George Goddard, executive director of the Washington County Behavioral Health Board, said passage of the 0.5-mill behavioral health levy brought relief after election night and will help sustain services for residents.
"My stress level is definitely a lot different today than it was yesterday," Goddard said.
About half of annual levy spending supports prevention programming and services for children in schools, including counseling, Goddard said. That work includes training teachers in prevention programs and supporting agencies that provide counseling to students.
The remaining money helps pay for treatment for Washington County residents when other funding is unavailable, he said. Those services include psychiatric hospitalization, substance use treatment, crisis services and outpatient counseling.
Levy funding also supports recovery programs, community education and outreach, Goddard said.
He said the local funding helps fill gaps in state support, which can come with restrictions on the services it covers. Having levy money available allows the board to respond to needs that might otherwise go unmet or face delays.
"That's where the levy, we're able to help people and get them help quickly rather than waiting on a lengthy process dealing with state funds," Goddard said.
Residents who are unsure where to seek help can contact the board for assistance finding a provider, he said. Inquiries can be sent to info@wcbhb.org.
"We're always available to help talk to people to figure out how to get them to the right service provider that's going to be able to help them meet their specific needs," Goddard said.
Additionally, in Newport, a five-year renewal of a 3-mill levy for fire and emergency protection passed 504 to 223 votes. In Watertown Township, a similar levy for fire and emergency protection renewal for 1.5 mills passed 500 to 181 votes. Wesley Township had a similar levy renewal for 4 million, winning to 222 to 81. Beverly also saw a ballot item that would allow American Legion Post 398 to sell wine, mixed beverages and spirituous liquor on Sundays which passed 306 to 123.