The West Virginia State Auditor’s Office announced Tuesday it was unable to accept the proposed levy rates for three municipalities, including Smithfield in Wetzel County, due to noncompliance with provisions of West Virginia Code.

Each year, municipalities are required to submit their upcoming fiscal year budgets to the State Auditor’s Office for review and approval. Once a budget is submitted — along with a proposed levy estimate — the Auditor’s Office evaluates it for compliance with state code. Following this review, the office issues either a full approval or conditional approval letter. Both types of approval authorize the levying body to proceed with its statutory public hearing on the third Tuesday in April, during which the levy rates must be officially adopted in accordance with

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