ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Belmont County Board of Health tabled consideration of a possible operating levy Wednesday, after board members expressed concern for a potential impact on taxpayers.

Board members Joel Braido, Irene Louda, Dwight Jenewein and James King spoke against putting a health levy before voters. Board members Elizabeth Glick and Dr. Renato DelaCruz did not attend the special meeting.

No motions were made regarding the proposal. King, the board’s president, said, “We’ll table the issue and talk about it at a later date.”

Robert Sproul, deputy county health commissioner, had suggested the board consider a 0.75-mill operating levy to replace funding from townships, cities and villages in Belmont County. Currently, those entities contribute $370,000 a year to the health department, but the projected annual need is $420,000, he said.

King said a 0.5-mill operating levy would not generate sufficient revenue, but a 0.75-mill or 1-mill levy would be unattractive to voters.

Offering a rationale for a levy, Sproul said, “We’re running into the issues. We’re not destitute, but I don’t want to be.”

He suggested having a levy in place before “getting into problems” with funds.

Sproul said federal and state funding is being reduced; expenses are increasing and Medicaid cuts are likely to hurt the department’s operation. He also said state funding for the mandated accreditation process is drying up, while those costs are expected to rise.

Braido said, “We continue to get unfunded mandates from the state. I’m perfectly willing to call their bluff. … I think a levy is a mistake. I think we’re overtaxed now.”

Louda said, “I agree with Joel (Braido). We need to call (state officials’) bluff.”

Braido said property revaluations, expected to be completed in January, could result in large property tax hikes for Belmont County residents.

Louda agreed, saying, “I’m very worried about taxes on our houses. I can’t imagine it being a pretty sight coming down the pike. … It’s a big deal in Belmont County, with all that’s coming down.”

Citing no immediate need for a levy, Jenewein said, “Our budget is OK for this year. We’ve passed the 2018 budget.”

Sproul said the special meeting was called because the process would have to begin in August to get a levy on the November ballot.

In an unrelated matter, the board approved a contract to provide nursing services to Oakview Juvenile Residential Center in St. Clairsville, effective Saturday. Sproul said a nurse from the health department will work at Oakview two days a week.

The contract calls for Oakview to pay for services at a rate of $384 a week, with an annual amount not to exceed $19,968 unless authorized. Sproul said the additional revenue will allow the health department to keep the nurse’s job as a full-time position.