| A special election for an operating levy in Wirt County is set for Feb. 23, a levy that has barely failed, requiring a 60% approval.
Wirt County Commissioner Charles Murray said "I think when people realize how serious things are, they will vote for it...Our county government is on the line."
The levy's passage would generate more than $200,000 a year to keep the county afloat.
The levy's failure will likely mean the county will enter a situation that it might have to close its doors.
Opponents to the levy claim that elected officials have not managed county funds well, giving examples of how some officials have not performed over past years.
Officials says that some Wirt residents believe the county can further reduce services to remain operational, but those cuts have already been made.
Funding the offices of county elected officials is required by constitutional state law.
ORIGINAL STORY By Bob Weaver
A small operating levy to keep Wirt County afloat barely failed during the General Election, and will be put to the voters again with a special election in February.
It failed to gain the 60 percent majority to pass.
Wirt County commissioners are left in a lurch once again about meeting the constitutional requirements of county operation, in this case needing $200,000.
The levy had been issued to keep the county from foreclosing, supplying funds for employee salaries, building maintenance, supplies and regional jail costs.
The county has less than 6,000 residents, the smallest population in the state and the smallest amount of tax resources.
Ten years ago, a Charleston newspaper, obviously in favor of county consolidation, editorially wrote "Wirt County never amounted to much anyway."
"We will have to make our budget in March and we need some kind of indication as what we are going to have," said commissioner Charles Murray.
The county's school levy, which Murray said requires only a simple majority, has been approved by voters for more than 50 years. The operating levy has been in effect for about a decade, before stalling this year.
The problem also sparked talk of county consolidation and led to the idea Wirt County would be closed down, carved up and absorbed by neighboring counties, including Wood County.
"I'm not sure how that works and I don't want it to come to that," Murray said.
"We will do the best with whatever the people give us to work with," said commissioner Robert Lowe.
Surely there is value in the small.
See WIRT MEETING ADDRESSES CHOICES TO SAVE THE COUNTY - No Miracle In Sight, Voters Will Decide May 14
WIRT JERKED FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH - Three Year Levy Passes
CLOCK STRIKES AGAIN FOR WIRT COUNTY'S EXISTENCE - "Wirt Never Amounted To Much Anyway"
MIDNIGHT HOUR FOR WIRT COUNTY - Voters To Decide Future
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