The levy failed at a time when the county already is dealing with millions of dollars in cuts from the state and federal government.

The levy would have cost an average taxpayer about $20 a year. That money would have been used to help children and adults that are abused and neglected.

“We'll continue to operate. We have made severe cuts already. We'll go month to month and then we're gonna have to hope and depend that other people in the community volunteers where we are no longer staffed,” said Dwayne Pielich, of BCDJFS.

The levy also would have helped continue to provide Wheeling Health Right assistance to those who are without insurance in Belmont County.