MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Monongalia County Schools Excess Levy is officially on the ballot for the 2026 Primary Election.
The measure to place the levy on the ballot was unanimously approved by the Monongalia County Commission as part of their regular meeting Wednesday. The levy placement comes after approval was made by the Monongalia County Board of Education to move the proposed levy forward in December 2025, with approval also granted on a state level after a public outreach period. The approval was granted after conversations with members of the Monongalia County School Excess Levy Committee.
“This is for the placing of the Monongalia County Board of Education excess levy on the May 12th, 2026, Primary Election ballot,” said Monongalia County Commission President Tom Bloom.
Conversations regarding the levy have been ongoing since the closing months of 2025, when members of the Monongalia County School Excess Levy Committee began public input periods in late November and early December. Among the members on the committee are a former member of the West Virginia Board of Education, as well as numerous parents and educators who showcased the importance of what will be over $35.6 million in levy funds if passed by voters. With funds approved by county voters supporting the placement of school safety officers and mental health services for students, among other amenities that are funded on an annual basis, the levy will now be in the hands of county voters that have approved such measures for over a decade.
“I did reach out to the state auditor’s office as you requested, and they did confirm that they did review this back in December,” said County Administrator Rennetta McClure.
The commission also commemorated the career of current Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director Bill Austin, who announced his retirement in front of the development board last week. Commissioner Jeff Arnett spoke highly about the longtime community leader who served on the MMMPO for 17 years, being only the second executive director in the organization’s history. This includes being the lead on road-focused developments within the county for over a decade and a half.
“We learned that, officially, that Bill Austin would be retiring this summer, so we’d just like to thank him for his service,” said Arnett.
Austin has served the MMPO since 2008, when he took over as executive director following Chet Parsons’ five-year tenure in the position. During the decade and a half run, Austin has either been involved or has had a prominent say on nearly every large-scale transportation development project within the Morgantown area, with his most recent accomplishment being the active development of the Exit 155 and Chaplin Hill Gateway Project, an approximately $135 million endeavor.
“He took the MMPO to a whole new level, and he’s nationally known and respected on many boards and authorities,” said Arnett on the reputation Austin leaves upon his retirement. “So thank you for all your time and all you’ve done for Mon County.”