The Calhoun County Commission met for their first time in 2024 on Monday, January 8th. Craig Arthur, Roger Propst and Kevin Helmick were present for the meeting.
Under delegations, Eric Lupardus requested that a list of all property owned by the County be provided at the next County Commission meeting. A request that opened the door for Teresa Overton (under delegations) to request that the County Commission look at other properties owned by the county
Commission Roger Propst informed here that another building discussed at the last meeting was the old NYA/BFG building on Route 7. He had spoken to Donnie Pitts about the possibility of an area in the very large facility that could be used as a kennel to house animals that needed shelter due to abuse or abandonment. Most of the building has no electric but Pitts said that there was a probability of one area that might work.
Linda Jarvis of the Calhoun County Historical Society announced that the Historical Society received a large crate from Joan Stork which will be opened at a public event in the future. Mrs. Jarvis said that one item in the crate was Slav Stump’s historical fiddle.
Kelley Barr reported to the Calhoun County Commission that Calhoun Control had hired two new dispatchers, they are doing a security update and will be switching to P25 (digital broadcasting) on February 1, 2024.
Jason Wilson, Director of Minnie Hamilton EMS reported that the number of ALS transports were 18, BLS transports 28, Runs canceled in route 5, DOA 4, Refusals, 15, Treated and refused 5,for total of 911 activity as 75. , explained the discrepancy for the data last month between Minnie and EMS, Minnie is patient contact, EMS is reported calls. Other issues was transportation of helicopter crews. Car accidents will be one call, but may have multiple patients.
Minnie Hamilton has not received the Senate Bill funding for recruitment and retention. It is a one year event and there are currently no long term plan to continue that funding.
Minnie Hamilton Health System is in need of a large concrete pad area to do an auto extrication scene for training on the 3rd or 4th weekend in March. Contact Mr. Wilson at Minnie Hamilton if you have such a space available
County Park President, Donnie Pitts reported that the park did receive the building from Minnie Hamilton Health Systems that will be used in the making of a bunk house. They have finished the floors and will add 4 bunks and a fridge to the bunkhouse. This will typically be used for stargazers but can be used as an additional rental unit.
The park has almost finished with the bathroom in the shelter area. The park dad an excellent December with 9 RV’s set up on the field for stargazers. A big project is the renovation on the barn. Due to having had several leaks because of the washer/screw deterioration on the roof, serious repairs are being made. David Cain loaned a lift to the park that has helped to take care of half of the roof. The park committee is concerned that the overhead structure, the roof area, has been damaged because of the leaks and it needs to be determined how much damage is done and they are unsure what that might entail. They want to make sure that the barn is safe for visitors. The floor and ceiling materials are there, but they’re waiting for the roof issues to be addressed before installation.
Mr. Pitts commented on the bathhouse project, which has had a lot of discussion about the cost being 1/2 million dollars and he agreed that it seems like an enormous cost to the park board as well. He however wanted the community to understand that Thrasher Engineering firm is who put the plan together, and those numbers are based on their estimated costs. It is the parks hope it will come in significantly less. It started 5 years ago with ARC approved funding for $250,000, then at the last minute, the federal cochair stopped that funding. The original costs of that project was $250,000 but that price has no doubt gone up in 5 years for a facility to house bathrooms and showers for men and women. The only money expended to date is that paid to the engineers.
“There is no shortage of things being said” Pitts informed the Commission. “It’s been said when we request reimbursement, we need receipts which the park has always provided. We will request reimbursement from time to time because it’s easier to use our debit card when we’re in a project, but a large expenditure had to be paid by the county direct such as the mulch.”
Roger Propst pointed out the policy that is out for comment is for 501c3’s. The money the park receives is in the county budget and has never been questioned.
“The park is owned by the county” Donnie said and he wanted it known they were doing things as required by procedure.
Donnie told the commissioners that one of the commissioners is supposed to set on the park board and there is currently none, since Matt Walker left. Donnie recommended that a commissioner be there and Roger Propst said that he would attend meetings when made aware of the day and time. Annual financial reports from the park were provided for several years and the 2023 report will be available at the next meeting.
FRN Director, Tina Persinger reported that she has written a grant with some regional people, WVDHHR, Americorps, MOVRC, and the Probation Department, to see what the next steps will be with recovery in Calhoun. It will be February or March before they hear if they will receive the funding but with the County set to receive a large some from the Opioid Funding she would like the commissioners to meet with Calhoun’s planning team to determine what needs can be met. Mrs. Persinger said that the FRN receives a lot of prevention money, and she suggested that more of the money that the Commission received be spent in recovery.
Sheriff Graham Knight reported that two people had been removed from Home confinement for violations but he was anticipating more to placed on Home Confinement with the January term of court beginning.
Knight reported that 85 calls were answered in December by the Sheriffs Department with an additional 89 from the WV State Police. Many of the calls done by the Sheriffs Department such as Civil matters cannot be handled by the State Police. He also informed the Commissioners that Deputy Hannah Stevens will go to physical agility testing this month and once that’s passed she will go to the academy January 22, 2024. He also noted that having new Chief Deputy Jeffrey Hunt had allowed a lot more to be accomplished.
Shelia Burch, director of the Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation told the Commissioners that a 600 page broad band study will be coming out and in the coming months she would like to have discussion about that report.
The Commission has set dates for the board of equalization Meetings of February 1, 7, 12, 15, 20, 23 with times to be announced.
A Policy on courthouse closing for holidays and emergencies was put into place with a standing motion to follow the direction of the State Government.
Invoices for dog fostering from Teresa Overton and Tessa Batton were presented for payment to cove the costs of expenses incurred with receipts provided to request reimbursement. ?Teresa Overton informed the Commissioners that the receipts turned in are for current expenses, she was not requesting reimbursement for the past. Ritchie and Roane are currently not accepting because animals because they’re too full. Teresa told the Commissioners that she still has a redbone hound and one other that needs placed in a permanent home. Sheriff Knight said that there has been an increase in dogs needing sheltered. Commission agreed to cover the costs with a side note from Commissioner Helmick expressing concern about a previous incident where someone over charged for a barn, fence, etc. Graham assured the commission that Teresa wasn’t even charging for everything she was providing.
The Commission gave permission for Roger Jarvis to access the Calhoun County Park online banking which he had been unable because of a policy change at the bank.
Under Old business Ari White, President of the Mt. Zion PSD requested additional funding to upgrade their recent purchased truck, and $17,000 to purchase a utility trailer for water maintenance. The Commission agreed to approve the truck modifications and provide up to $17,000 for a Utility trailer.
State Fund 41 was received by the Commission in the amount $10,254.85 with the purpose of being distributed to local fire departments. Jean Simers, Clerk had spoken to the WV State Auditors office about the distribution amount to each department and it was suggested that they use the percentages used to determine levy distributions. The decision was tabled for consideration by Commission.
A recent policy that was put out for comment brought much discussion during the meeting. Following several requests by 501c3’s for funding assistance, the Commission decided that a policy should be in place to determine eligibility of agencies requesting assistance and an application process.
Commissioner Propst suggested that requests be made along with the annual budget establishment, at which time Commissioner Helmick that there would be requests made for things not needed because a time frame was placed on the requests and that people could not budget for unexpected expenses. The matter was tabled for another month to determine how the policy should be worded.
Emily Robinson of the Lions club informed the Commission that the Lions Club had established a fund for any money needed and provided for the repairs and maintenance on the building. The Lions Club request was also tabled and will await further updates.
On the agenda under appointments to Boards of Authority was Deirdre Purdy to the Civil Service Board.
Hazel Lane, an active member of the Civil Service Board spoke out on her frustration that the Civil Service Board was so disorganized with their meetings and not requested for advisement on deputy employment matters, nor had anyone ask if she would want to work with Deirdre Purdy. She then spoke in clear terms that she would sooner resign that work with Mrs. Purdy.
Without response to Mrs. Lane, Commissioner Kevin Helmick nominated Purdy for the position and the motion was seconded by Roger Propst for the purpose of discussion. Commissioner Propst then provided WV Code 7-14-3 which states:
There shall be a civil service commission in each county and the state. Each such civil service commission shall consist of three commissioners, one of whom shall be appointed by the bar association of such county, and one of whom shall be appointed by the deputy sheriff’s association of such county and one of whom shall be appointed by by the County Commission of such county.
Following the job description of such office holders, the final paragraph of the WV Code stated that:
No commissioner may hold any other office (other than the office of notary public) under the United States, this state or any municipality, county or other political subdivision thereof; nor may any commissioner serve on any political party or take any active part in the management of any political campaign.
Commissioner Propsts then asked “why would we consider a member of the political action group? Deirdre Purdy is Chairwoman of the Democratic Executive Committee. He also questioned how the nomination even got on the agenda and pointed out that if he had not done the research on the law they would have appointed Purdy against the law. “Therefore I cannot nor will not vote to approve this nomination.”
Commissioner Craig Arthur called for a vote on the matter at which time Kevin Helmick immediately voted in favor of Deirdre Purdy even though he had just been read a clear statement of the law that said it was illegal. Both Commissioners Arthur and Propst voted no.
As for the concern of Hazel Lane on the recent hirings by Sheriff Graham Knight not being approved by the Civil Service Commission; it was not required. Hires of uncertified, or part time deputies do not require approval by the Civil Service Commission because they are not under civil service. Only certified officers. Jeffrey Hunt is a Chief Deputy that is appointed at the will and pleasure of the Sheriff and Hannah Stevens is awaiting academy attendance to be certified.
Other appointments on the agenda were Ronald Blankenship to a two year term, and Nikki Boatright to a three year term on the LKADC board, which were approved.
The appointments of Melissa Hixon and Michael Plato as Ballot Commissioners was postponed to a special meeting because those positions cannot be appointed until between the dates of January 15-31st, according to the WV State Code.
A special meeting was held at the adjournment of the regular monthly commission meeting. The first item of two personnel issues was the revising of a temporary hire status to part time status of Deputy Charles Stephens, which passed unanimously by all three Commissioners and the second matter was the full time hire of Hannah Stephen’s as Deputy of the Calhoun County Sheriffs Department, also voted unanimously.
