The Calhoun County Commission held their regular monthly meeting on Monday May 8th, 2023 with Commission President Matt Walker, Commissioner Craig Arthur and Commissioner Kevin Helmick present.
Commissioner Walker opened the meeting with updates from April’s activity. After the recent receipt of the new Sheriff vehicles purchased from Jenkins Ford, Walker thanked Rick Floyd, County Clerk Jean Simers and LKADC Director, Shelia Burch for their assistance in making it happen. One car will be detailed with the proper signage this week and the other will follow making them road ready for the upcoming newly appointed Sheriff. The Sheriff interviews were held following Monday’s meeting with three candidates being considered. A meeting to appoint may be held later in the week.
Next on the agenda was the opportunity for delegations to speak at which time Sharon Gherke, Treasurer of the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department addressed the Commission again regarding Commissioner Helmick’s social media post in earlier months. Helmick’s accusatory post against the financial matters of the Grantsville VFD had mentioned conversations with Michelle Hodge and Nathan Hamilton, staff at the State Auditor’s Office. Mrs. Gherke informed the Commission that she too had spoken with those individuals. Michelle Hodge didn’t remember speaking to Commissioner Helmick but informed Mrs. Gherke that the reason no audit was found for the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department was because it had never been requested. As for comments that Helmick stated were made by Nathan Hamilton, (who did speak to Helmick), Mrs. Gherke stated that “Hamilton informed her that he most definitely did not say he hated to shut down the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department, (as Helmick said he did) because he didn’t have that authority.” Following her call to the Auditor’s office, Grantsville VFD did receive an audit request, which is done by random selection of all Fire Departments. While Grantsville has been in compliance for sometime, she confessed to the Commission that in 2017 they had lost funding due to a failed reporting, citing the reason as being new and unfamiliar with procedure. She then provided a website address to the Commission where they could check on the compliance of all Volunteer Fire Departments regarding their State reporting. Her recommendation to Commissioner Helmick was, if he wasn’t going to release the names of the three liars who gave him the information on Grantsville VFD perhaps he should not trust them again. Her final comment was to acknowledge the efforts of county volunteers and the work they do. Work that Commissioner Helmick did not do because she had discovered that he did not volunteer time for any county agencies, but was paid to do what he did.
Luke Peters of the Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council spoke on the Calhoun County Park Bathhouse project. Originally estimated at $150,00, they had added costs due to an Engineer being added and were requesting another $100,000 from the State. Bids will be sought to see what the shortfall may be and if more funding will be needed. He further stated that “the county is in a position to help now too.” The project was cleared for creating no environmental impact, a report that can be found on file in the County Clerk’s office.
Crystal Mersh, President of the 1982 Foundation asked Peters what the actual bid was for the bathhouse as well as what the specs were? The response was $425,810 for the 40×32’ block building housing both mens and women’s bathrooms and shower rooms. Donnie Pitts, Park Board President clarified that this was not an actual bid but rather a projected costs.
Mersh told the Commission that the 1982 Foundation had just built a building of like specs for $89,000 and at some point when you’re spending more money to get the grant than to do the project,” then you should be asking “If you don’t do the grant and allow community fundraising, what would the cost be?”
Luke peters said “hopefully we can spend $200,000 of grant funds and it won’t cost the county anything.” To which Crystal responded, “Yes, but it will cost the federal people.” Free money isn’t really free.
Following this exchange, the Commission passed a motion to release grant funding toward the project as well as approving draw down number 3 to pay Thrasher engineering $25,000 and MOVRC for $1,000.
MOVRC will be advertising for an accountant to do a rate study for the possible combining of the Mt. Zion and Pleasant Hill PSD’s and the Grantsville Municipal Utilities. Peters said that they are currently awaiting details to put the right language in the advertisement.
County Clerk, Jean Simers, asked peters about the demolition of FEMA properties that had been given to the County. Peters informed her that it had not been advertised yet and that the State, who was under contract to provide the local match, as of right now they may not. Neighboring Spencer’s properties have been done, and Peters believed it was not fair for the state to renege on covering those costs. Commissioner Walker will do the follow up on that project.
Calhoun County E911 faxed their report in to the Commission due to their currently being no active director. The deadline for that position was Friday, May 5th, but Helmick stated the hiring would likely have to be done by the Commission because the E911 Board could not garner enough members to hold a meeting.
Jason Wilson of Calhoun EMS/Minnie Hamilton reported 61 Ambulance calls for 911 with an average response time of 15.45 minutes and 73.4 minutes spent as an average on each call. There were 35 transports made from the hospital. He advised the commission that an audit request has been made for a complete audit on Calhoun EMS and will be released as soon as it is completed and returned. The dissolving of the Calhoun EMS will be effective May 31, 2023 and their insurance will expire on June 8th, 2023.
Calhoun County Wood Festival will be held June 1-3, 2023 for which Judy Powell, Committee representative requested the use of the Courthouse restrooms and the back parking lot, both of which were approved.
Donnie Pitts spoke to inform the Commission that the Calhoun County Park continues to work on projects in and outside the barn and that cabin and barn rentals are booked most weekends. Following an inspection of the playground equipment on the park it was determined that the original wood structures needed removed. Those will be replaced with the donated playgrounds from Sandfork School. If the bathhouse project gets started the playground in that area will be moved to the ball field area. A park workday is set for this Saturday, May 13th at 8 a.m.
Commissioner Craig Arthur reported for FRN that there were 980 pantry visits, they had received their summer feeding match for family meals and there would be a WRAP program course that will provide 12 CEU’s for interested persons.
Interim Sheriff Carl Ballengee submitted budget transfers to the Commission requesting $4,500 to be transferred to Home Confinement because that salary budget is in the hole. While Ballengee is in office he will do Home Confinement checks for the current three people confined and civil process serving due to Cody Parsons being off for medical reasons. He informed the Commission that Parsons has no sick or vacation time remaining and will likely be off for at least one year. Ballengee noted that the $4,500 transfer would cover the home confinement and process serving salary for the remaining fiscal year. Ballengee also requested that $1,350 be transferred to pay for contracted services, $920.29 be transferred from the County’s general fund account where the Sheriffs department received reimbursement for an overcharge and it was put into the wrong account, $11000 transfer from salaries and wages to maintenance and repair, and a final $3,000 from FICA to supplies so that the new cruisers can be equipped with lights and siren.
Sheriff Ballengee informed the commission that a recent inspection of the jail building had yielded multiple light bars and control boxes that, if they are in working order, could save the county thousands in equipping the new cruisers. Commissioner Walker agreed that it would be advantageous for them to check those out before purchasing others.
Ballengee has been able to get the Civil Process delivery up to date and has been working on inventorying Sheriff Department property. A previous inventory list could not be found so he has created his own hoping to have it close if not completed for the new Sheriff. He showed the Commission a large stack of animal complaints that he had picked up from 911 and suggested that the County hire an animal control officer for which he would be willing to train even after his time is up as interim.
Shelia Burch, Director of the Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation reported to the commission that small businesses in the county continue to struggle with rising cost and supply chain issues, especially the restaurant industry. LKADC recently received a $25,000 grant from the ARC to support small businesses in the area. Mrs. Burch provided a list of things that were needed by the Pleasant Hill and Mt. Zion PSD’s saying that her term as board member for Mt. Zion is almost expired, at which time she will volunteer to assist the new appointee.
Under the County Commission’s new business, Jean Simers advised that Workers Compensation had increased by approximately $800 and a motion was accepted and passed to accept WV Corp for insurance.
Steve Whited of Minnie Hamilton Health System spoke to the commission saying that he needs to present an agreement to the Commission that their attorney is putting together to allow Minnie Hamilton to become the replacement for Calhoun EMS and receive levy funding, a matter for which Whited continues to say he does not want to do. They are looking at the most fiscally responsible way to make this happen.
A motion was made and passed to reimburse Minnie Hamilton for a previous capitol purchase of $50,000.
The County’s fiscal year 2021 audit was returned with 4 issues reported: segregation of duties, a failed budge transfer, purchases of capitol assets and how they were categorized. State Auditor John McCuskey attended the meeting at Jean Simers’ request in order to answer questions, though none were asked.
Crystal Mersh asked the County Commission if the budgeted amount of $79,100 was sufficient to employ a deputy sheriff. Commissioner Walker advised that it was, and that the Commission had actually approved more than the amount of money Warren Basnett had requested for his budget. He said that once they appoint a new sheriff the Commission will need to sit down with the new sheriff and determine what’s needed. Mersh further advised that the contingency fund is limited to what funds can be moved around and it was a questionable act as to why there was not planning done in the budget for the $500,000 parked in the Regional Jail Fund.
There is to be a Public hearing for the dark skies project ordinance before it can be approved. The ordinance has to do with updated or new installations on lighting. A shielded fixture is available at Lowe’s and Home Depot and recommended for lighting that may interfere with the dark sky project. The majority of people in Calhoun County will not know there is a light ordinance with regard to their lighting because they’re not large enough or close enough to interfere. Areas such as Athletic fields need the lights and it’s more efficient putting the light down and not up in to the sky which prevents light domes from existing in the area.
The Commission approved a funding Contract with the Mid Ohio Valley Health Department.
Commissioner Walker reported that the ARPA funds slated for the Broad Band was at risk of being lost because of time restraints and other considerations would have to be made for the funding. A motion was made and passed for the ARPA funds to be reallocated.
No financial report was available for the month of April due to computer issues within the Sheriff’s Department. The meeting entered executive session for the purpose of interviewing Sheriff Candidates although the purpose of the executive session was not noted on the agenda.
At last months meeting when I brought up the almost 400,000,allotted to run the courthouse,250,00 for county parks, 500,000 for jail bill,compared to other surrounding counties with twice the population running there counties on a third of what Calhouns budget was,I was informed by Mr Walker he wasn’t interested in what the other counties was doing. In yesterdays meeting other counties mentioned by him,Donnie,Mr. Peters was okay to talk about. Double standards when it suits you doesn’t work for myself or a lot of other people.
Just FYI consider other ppls feeling it isn’t easy for ppl to stand up with questions and always be put down or smarted off. Sharon Gherke had a legit complaint,about the Grantsville voulunteer Fire Dept, records to prove how Helmick lied,she didn’t nor did the fire dept get an apology,they never will.
Pauline makes some good points. The good news is the budgets final allocations will not be set in stone until July. At least that is my understanding. I was impressed with our temporary sherriff. He is really going above and beyond in my opinion. One of my concerns is the bath house being constructed. It is very expensive especially when you consider how long it will take to recoup the cost. It seems the majority of activities in the park are for mainly out of state star watchers which is great, ergo, the funds that the park makes off them should make them not only self sufficient but the profits that are generated should go to the construction of it. Also, the fire departments have great fundraisers maybe the park should be looking in that direction also. As was reported, the cost is considerably less when grants and state contractors are not footing the bill. The county is making good strides in improving our lives with many different entities coming together working for common interests and goals. Hopefully now that the ball is rolling, we can keep it rolling, and just as important, rolling in the right direction.
Good points! And yes volunteer agencies such as the fire departments are great examples of self suffiency.
You are correct about the Double Standards Miss Pauline. I’m not sure how they justify it, but I’m sure they do.
No he will never, we are below him. But I don’t see him volunteering for anything at all, him or Walker
He never will apologize to us. And don’t waste my time waiting on idiot when he starts volunteering for something in this county I’ll be dead and gone what a waste of good tax dollar on those three !!!!!