Belmont County Commissioners Advance 911 & Senior Services Levies | Tourism Hits $275 Million
Key Takeaways
- Belmont County Commissioners advanced resolutions to place renewal levies for both 911 and Senior Services on the upcoming November ballot.
- The 911 levy will continue funding the county's emergency radio system and support the critical transition to Next Generation 911 without acting as a tax increase.
- The Senior Services levy is being renewed at a reduced rate to lower the tax burden while maintaining programs that deliver 1,200 meals daily to local residents.
- A new tourism report revealed that Belmont County generated $275.6 million in economic impact during 2025, driven by $168 million in visitor spending.
- The Underground Railroad Museum in Morristown is slated to open this fall, with plans to add Airbnb units to support long-term operations.
- County officials are also addressing infrastructure needs with a new sewer project designed to replace the aging Pennwood treatment plant.
Belmont County Commissioners Advance 911, Senior Services Levies as Tourism Hits $275 Million
In this episode of Forgotten Ohio, we break down the biggest decisions from this week's Belmont County Commissioners meeting, including the first steps toward renewing two county levies that voters could decide this November.
Commissioners approved resolutions to place renewal levies for Belmont County 911 and Senior Services on the November ballot. The 911 levy would continue funding the county's emergency radio system and support the transition to Next Generation 911, while the Senior Services levy would renew funding at a reduced rate, lowering the tax burden while maintaining essential programs.
I also examine a new tourism report showing Belmont County generated $275.6 million in tourism-related economic impact during 2025, including $168 million in visitor spending and $36 million in tax revenue.
Also in this episode:
- Why county officials say the 911 levy is not a tax increase
- How Senior Services delivers 1,200 meals every day to local residents
- The latest update on the Underground Railroad Museum in Morristown, expected to open this fall
- Plans to add Airbnb units to support the museum's long-term operations
- A sewer infrastructure project that will replace the aging Pennwood treatment plant
Featured Interviews
- Jerry Echemann, Belmont County Commission President
- J.P. Dutton, Belmont County Commissioner
- Vince Gianangeli, Belmont County Commissioner
- Brian Minder, Belmont County 911 Director
- Lisa Kazmirski, Executive Director, Senior Services of Belmont County
- Jackee Pugh, Executive Director, Belmont County Tourism Council
- Kelly Porter, Belmont County Water & Sewer District Director
Key Topics
- Belmont County Commissioners
- Belmont County 911 Levy
- Senior Services Levy
- Next Generation 911
- Belmont County Tourism
- Economic Development
- Underground Railroad Museum
- Morristown, Ohio
- St. Clairsville
- Local Government
- Ohio Valley News
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Belmont County levies are going on the November ballot?
The Belmont County Commissioners approved resolutions to place renewal levies for county 911 services and Senior Services on the November ballot.
Is the Belmont County 911 levy a tax increase?
No, county officials emphasize that the 911 levy is a renewal that does not represent a tax increase, and it will continue funding the emergency radio system and Next Generation 911.
How much economic impact did tourism bring to Belmont County?
According to a new tourism report, Belmont County generated $275.6 million in tourism-related economic impact during 2025, which includes $168 million in visitor spending and $36 million in tax revenue.
What programs does Senior Services of Belmont County provide?
Senior Services of Belmont County delivers essential programs to local residents, including 1,200 meals every single day.
