MASON COUNTY — The ballots have been counted and local students and school staff will continue reap the benefits of the renewed excess levy for Mason County Schools.

As reported from the Mason County Clerk’s office, the excess levy passed with a total of 5,216 votes for the levy and 3,840 against the levy. The levy will help fund various aspects of Mason County Schools, including textbooks and other school supplies and equipment, as well as funding for field trips, athletic and academic competitions, PRO officers, school technology and utilities, student transportation, and benefits for school employees.

Mason County Board of Education members Greg Fowler and Dale Shobe were among the many local citizens at the Mason County Courthouse to hear the results of the general election, and spoke with the Point Pleasant Register on the passing of the levy.

“It gives us a lot of opportunities of what we can do with the youth of Mason County,” Fowler said. “It’s very satisfying to know the people of Mason County support what we’re doing.”

“It going to give them a lot of opportunities,” Shobe said on the students and the levy.

Fowler and Shobe also expressed their gratitude for the voters for supporting the levy.

As previously reported, information provided by Superintendent Suzanne Dickens stated this $8.5 million levy is a renewal of the current levy, which was passed on Nov. 4, 2008 and expires on June 30, 2014. It was also noted by Dickens that this levy has been continuously been in place since May 24, 1950.

Also a concern for some voters was the tax increase from this levy, which Dickens, along with Mason County Assessor Ron Hickman, stated would be approximately $2.88 per month for the average homeowner in Mason County. Dickens and Hickman further explained the phrase “average homeowner,” stating the increase of $2.88 per month was based on a home with an assessed value of $70,000. It was also stated that since homes are assessed at 60 percent of their actual market value, the home with a $70,000 assessed value would have a fair market value of $120,000.