Calhoun County Commission met for the first time in the New Year 2023, with the newly elected Republican Commissioner, Craig Arthur. First order of business following the opening and pledge was the election of Commission President. Matt Walker, who opened the meeting stated that he had been nominated by Commissioner Kevin Helmick, he seconded the motion himself and all Commissioners were in favor. He further stated that “I am very optimistic in the way the county is moving, I’m excited about the great strides the EMS has made and the consolidation of the PSD’s, all the work that’s been going on at the Community parks, the Community Center, we should feel confident in the direction the County is going.”
Minutes of previous meeting approved.
First on the Delegations time to speak was Pauline Ferrell. Mrs. Ferrell wanted to know about the $2500 given to the West Fork Park at the December County Commission meeting for the purpose of food baskets to be handed out in the community. She questioned the Commission if they’d received receipts for the $2500.00 but was informed by Commissioner Helmick that receipts were never requested it was a donation. Anita West gave a verbal account of what was purchased, but Pauline said there was only evidence of about $400.00 being spent toward the baskets. Anita West said she could provide receipts for their expenditures.
Second to speak was Teresa Overton of the 1982 Foundation, who requested that the County Commission have follow up lists of what was determined to be accomplished or committed to by an individual . Ms. Overton said that there need to be “better accountability of one another.”
Julie Sears, E911 and OES director provided the County Commission the total calls received and dispatched for each Emergency Agency for the month of December as well as the annual report. She requested an $1 per hour raise for Trinity Edgell who had completed the required training for E911 to warrant the raise and informed the Commission that another pastime person had been hired to fill in for vacation staff.
Jason Wilson, Interim Director of Calhoun EMS asked Ms. Sears, of the 534 runs reported by Calhoun EMS for January 2022 through August 2022 when Minnie Hamilton took over, why there was only 179 run sheets? She responded by telling him “I don’t have access to the records.” No further questioning or comment was made of the issue by the Commission, even though 355 runs were evidently not billed by Calhoun EMS during that time frame, amounting to thousands of dollars of lost revenue for Calhoun EMS, an agency that required assistance from the County in addition to levy money received to stay afloat during that time. Although the investigation has been closed on Calhoun EMS, one would have thought a factor of accountability on an agency head would have been discussed.
Wilson provided the Commission with his report for Calhoun EMS stating that in the month of December they had 101 runs to report, 23 transports and 78 E911 calls. He further reported that their agency is having an audit done by an outside 3rd party; he then turned the floor over to EMS Advisory Board representative, Paul Haggeman. Haggeman told the commission that Calhoun EMS stood in need of a new cot, stair chair and service plan totaling $52,569 to maintain the State’s new standard for Ambulances and not have to apply for a waiver. They’ll also be adding push bars on the front of the ambulance to protect from deer hits. Commissioner Walker ask how long for delivery on the cot and was informed it would be 4-6 weeks with the stair chair being delivered quicker. Even though they’ll be facing a 6-8% price increase after February 1, 2023, the matter couldn’t be acted on until February’s Commission meeting.
The Minnie Hamilton and Calhoun EMS Partnership was brought into question by the Commission where Wilson confirmed that he will be staying in place with the advisory board and they were currently working to keep Minnie Hamilton Health System in place as the County’s EMS. They are waiting on lawyers and accountants to get the structure set up.
Haggeman said that we (Calhoun County) need to help Minnie Hamilton Health System because their last experience wasn’t good. It’s the advisory board’s belief that this should go into place with both agencies together for profitability. Calhoun’s levy brought in $403,000 last year and the billing didn’t cover the remainder. (355 unbilled runs may have something to do with it) but Jason Wilson added that for 2021 they were $34,000 in the black, with no ALS, a BLS truck only, and covid also providing money to support the agency.
Paul Haggeman believes that Calhoun EMS will still need the county’s help.
Commissioner Helmick asked “Help or money?” To which Haggeman responded that opinions of course, but there will still be money needed to the tune of $150,000 to $200,000 from County funds. Matt Walker stated that it was a good number for them to understand and thanked Wilson and Haggeman for their service.
Hazel Lane questioned the Commission, asking “What will keep them from dumping the ambulance back into the county’s lap?” Jason Wilson answered by telling her that “the hospital lost their butt last time, a ridiculous amount of money. It’s been a learning process. The levy is increased, the hospital may need help to insure they’re not losing money but it’s not fiscally sound for there to be two ambulance services. He also informed her that the hospital can save money by using staff elsewhere in the hospital when ambulance runs are not happening, allowing their wages to be paid by the hospital, not out of the EMS budget. With the levy funds raising from the prior $85,000 to over $400,000, plus a potential $200,000 from the County Commission survival looked promising. Haggeman addd that they are currently running 15-17% of their calls free because of uninsured patients.
A February EMT class in the county is full with 25 people and there is consideration of another class running following this class. Minnie Hamilton currently has 18 EMT’s or Paramedics on staff.
Paula Boggs asked how much Minnie Hamilton is charging the county for their services and was informed by Wilson that Minnie Hamilton Health System submits a bill to the advisory board for $1,500.00 a day to cover a paramedic, an EMT and benefits. The prior cost to Calhoun EMS was $1,630.00 per day operational costs on their own.
Donnie Pitts, President of the Calhoun County Park Board reported that the Christmas light display had 150-200 cars that went through the show. He commended the Calhoun Middle School students who built the displays. Mr. Pitts reported on the continued construction around the park with the installation of a second window, with two more to be installed in the barn. Work continues on the gazing field shelter as well with the need for plumbing to be installed. Stargazers have commented that the new facility will be a game changer with access to bathhouses. Email notice from the International Dark Sky Associations show that the request for certification is moving along. Pond trout stocking continues and a youth day was held this past Saturday with several youth out and adult fishers. Spring stocking will be sponsored again by Dominion which brings people into the park. The Park board meets on the first Thursday of each month and welcomes anyone. A five year comprehensive plan for the park is being done and will be provided to the commission to show projects and completion.
Shelia Burch, Director of the Little Kanawha Area Development Corp. (LKADC) reported that the Calhoun Chamber of Commerce, Inc. now has a sitting board and it will soon become a 501c6. Once that’s completed the businesses will see that they have a voice. She noted that the Calhoun County Chamber of commerce was created in 1998 by businessman Terry Benson but it didn’t go anywhere. So in searching for them online make sure you omit “county” in your search to find the correct one. Shelia has been working with Glenville State University on the Pioneer Project , submitting applications to benefit 8 counties for which Calhoun is one. Glenville University has a non profit class that is working with non-profits in Calhoun County.
Matt Walker noted that he appreciates Shelia and the work the Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is doing.
Hortz Motz asked the Commission what the current status was on the the broadband. He was told that the gig ready grant is moving slowly but moving. It is supposed to start looping through the counties in 2023 and springing off that 1.2 million to the final miles. Shelia Burch advised the Commission to keep close tabs on the project deadlines. Helmick said he had spoken with Melissa (project person) and said that now it is possibly 2024 before the funding would be released. Shelia reminded them that if the gig ready project doesn’t get completed until 2024 and the grant expires in 2024, calhoun stands to lose.
Dates for board of equalization will be published this week.
The Civil service board’s annual report was completed and given to the Commissioners. It had apparently to been done in the past. It was approved by the commission.
Shelia Burch spoke regarding the USDA, draft agreement for a new Sheriff vehicle – funds for that cruiser are not reimbursement funds, so the purchase will have to wait. A new account needs established with proof of insurance which was said to have been done.
A recent sale of Sheriff Vehicles was brought before the commission for discussion by Commissioner Matt Walker stating that there were questions on how the sale was conducted. Commissioner Helmick stated that normally the sheriff comes to the County Commission and asks permission and then the Commission advertises. Following the legal advertisement the President of the Commission auctions the items off.
Sheriff Warren Basnett said that he had spoken with Matt and they had agreed it was time to get rid of the vehicles. He took it upon himself to run a classified ad (which he noted was not the process) and the vehicles were sold with only one bid.
Commissioner Walker said that “we all knew that they would be put on the agenda and discussed” and that he had told the Sheriff to get with Jean for the procedures. They were all aware it was done incorrectly. The vehicles were sold for $100 each. Warren’s defense for the low price was that “the cars were junk and he didn’t get a second opinion because it wasn’t cancer.”
Pauline Ferrell spoke up telling the Commissioners that one of the “junk” cars was running up and down the road she lives on.
Commissioners Walker and Helmick both told Warren to do it correctly next time.
By WV State Code, the County Commission has no authority over the Sheriff regarding his duties in office. They are set by code. But Commissioner Kevin Helmick’s comment during the meeting, stating that “He could put it before the ethics commission but they’d just tell him not to do it again,” does not put community faith in the processes of government.
Steve Boggs, told the Commission that $100 per vehicle is ridiculous and anyone with any sense at all would have known that.
Sheriff Basnett was questioned about the equipment in the vehicles and informed the Commission it had all be removed. Eric Lupardus asked if the radios would be sold to which Julie Sears responded and said the radios belong to 911 and will be used for trade in.
Luke Peters of the Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council reported to the Commission that the county Park had applied for $150,000 grant which much of went to pay for an engineer. The continued construction of a 24×30 block building was quoted at $550,000 . He ask the commission to sign a letter of request to apply for additional funding. The price quoted for the building is prevailing wage and put together by the engineer, they are hoping that the bids will be far less and perhaps come in from a local contractor. The letter was provided by the Commission.
Mr. Peters reported on the consolidation of the Mt. Zion and Pleasant Hill PSD and that Grantsville was back at the table as a potential consolidation partner. It was said by Commissioner Helmick that the consolidation occured because the USDA had made it clear “No consolidation, No grants.” Commissioner Walker agreed and stated that other projects down the road need this consideration.
Ridgeview News wonders at what point financial control (borderline extortion) is acceptable practice, forgoing an entity’s ability to determine what is best for their organization and people.
Hortz Motz asked the Commission if there would be any costs to the customer? Luke Peters replied that there are different rates now and for the first year that would not change. The second year they’d look at a single rate.
A Motion to start the process of consolidation to Calhoun PSD was made and passed by the Commission.
Michael Hicks was apointed as fiduciary commissioner.
Resignation accepted of Martha Haymaker from the Calhoun County Planning Commission. Her spot on the Commission will need to be filled. Interested parties can contact the Calhoun county Commission. LKADC also has two vacancies needing filled. Shelia Burch will present two names at the Commission meeting next month for approval.
Erroneous tax assessments approved
