The Calhoun County Commission met for their March 25th evening meeting at 6:00 p.m. with Commissioners Craig Arthur and Eric Lupardus appearing in person and Commissioner Jacob McCumbers participating by phone as he was on vacation.
Under delegations, Grantsville Town Recorder, Emily Collins, questioned the Commission as to why the process of budget preparation had changed after 12 years. Confused by the question, the Commission asked for clarification. Mrs. Collins asked why only one person had been gathering information for the budget. The Commission responded that the budget process was conducted by all three Commissioners, Clerk Jean Simers and the newly hired Administrator Jennifer Randolph.
Collins further questioned what line item the new administrator was paid from to which the Commission answered that she was paid from the general budget by money transferred from the rainy day fund for the remainder of the 2024/25 budget year which will end June 30th, 2025.
Collins went on to provide the Commission information regarding funds that had been given to the Town of Grantsville to pay for Water bonds in November and December of 2024. She told the Commissioners that people were “rightly concerned” when bonds that were said to be $371,417.21, actually ended up being 4 million dollars.” She said that the town is “not worried about their bond payments,” because the Town is now financially capable of paying those.
Businesswoman Crystal Mersh questioned Collins as to whether or not the Town would be repaying the County back the $24,000 given to pay their bonds,since they were better fiscal health and the decision to pay for the Water companies bonds were made before the Town’s rate increase took effect.Her response was that if the County requested a refund, the Town would have to consider.
Mrs. Mersh’ question brought up a valid concern for citizens who have been paying the municipalities bills totaling over $150,000 in 2024, bailing them out of several issues, not including the county funding that went toward the $2 million dollars for the consolidation project which is now further delayed by the error in reporting how much was due on Water bonds.
Second under delegations was Jackie Allen who expressed concern about the hiring of the County Administrator. She asked the Commissioners, how many like size counties currently had their own County Administrator? Although the numbers were not known off hand, the Commissioner responded that the counties off Wirt, Gilmer and Pendleton had County Administrators. Forty five of the 55 West Virginia counties have a County Administrator. Mrs. Allen then questioned the salary of $50,000 for a 32 hour work week and if the County could afford it?
The Commissioners were pleased to say that the Calhoun County was in a position to more than justify the salary amount which was comparable if not less than what other Counties paid for that position.
Allen then questioned if the Commission currently had an Attorney on retainer, rather than utilizing the County Prosecutor?
The Commissioners answered “no” they did not currently have an attorney on retainer, but would consider it if there was ever a conflict of interest due to Prosecutor Michael Hicks having been a former Commissioner. Commissioner Lupardus further stated that a lot of Prosecutors from other counties took the time to attend their County Commission meeting to be available in an advisory capacity, but Calhoun’s Prosecutor had only attended a couple of meetings since taking office.
Crystal Mersh updated the Commission on the American Medicine Company venture that stands to provide 350 new jobs in Calhoun County. Mersh and her team have been in discussion with over fourteen U.S. Congress members on what would incentivize bringing prescription medicine manufacturing back to the United States stating that “Over 70% of adult Americans take a prescription medication, of which 90% are generic.” A startling fact is that 98% of those come from India and China and should those imports stop, there would barely be a 30 days supply on hand in America to fill life sustaining prescriptions.
The opportunity that American Medicines Company is affording the United States is the chance to take back control of our own health. Mersh stated that big pharmacy is interested in manufacturing the high dollar pharmaceuticals that do not include what many Americans need.
The American Medicine Company will use a three part funding strategy involving Federal, State and private funders. Even though she has yet to pitch the idea to private companies for funding, they have contacted her desiring to be involved. She recently met with Charleston, WV officials to gauge their interest in assisting in this matter and requested a statement in writing. She believes that when Congress returns from their recess face to face meetings will take place to get the American Medicines project underway. She thanked the Commission for their participation in encouraging State leaders to help saying that one of the many reasons for her passion in this is the devotion she has to lives of our children. Mersh closed with “The only way you can have an impact on the lives of children is Jesus and the economy.”
Calhoun County Park Board President Donnie Pitts updated the Commission on the status of work being done on the Park Barn. The Board members are “under the gun” he said with spring and summer activities packing the park schedule. The new flooring installation is underway to be completed before the April Fools Bluegrass Jam that will be taking place on April 5th. This largely attended event is filled with talented musicians, some of the finest anywhere!
April 25-27th the Stars and Coffee even will be held in the East Field with classes happening in the barn. Greenbrier photographer, Jonathan Eggleestan will be providing free photography classes for both general photography and astrophotography.
The 19th of April will be the annual Oshway Easter egg hunt. Last year the Oshoways provided over 2000 eggs filled with candy and prizes.
The latter part of April the park will be getting the ponds stocked with trout! Youth Saturday will be the Saturday after the stocking with the ponds open to all fishers after that. The Youth Saturday event will offer prizes made possible by Minnie Hamilton Health System.
The annual Kite festival will be on May 10th offering 100 free kites to the first 100 kids attending. The all day event offers an opportunity to play and build kites as well as purchase kites.
The Eastern Star will be hosting a car show on May 17th and the July 4th Independence Day will have music by Johnny Staats and John Richards, with water slides and fireworks. Donnie encouraged the community to get excited, come out and support these wonderful events!
The Commissioners will be working on putting together a handbook committee for the Calhoun County Courthouse staff comprised of the Commissioners, Elected Officials, and two employees (one of which must be civil service). Once the members are selected a meeting date will be set.
A new sound system will be recommended by Donnie Pitts at the April meeting costing approximately $400-500 dollars.
The following meeting dates were changed due to conferences and holidays.
May 26th meeting changed to May 27th
June 9th meeting changed to June 10th at 6 p.m.
October 13th meeting changed to October 14th, 2025
Jennifer Randolph, Calhoun County Administration will be working on a Court grant. She has reached out to Arthur Angus of the WV Supreme Court for information to assist in determining the court needs of Calhoun County. The last grant received was $75,000. The matter will be on the April Commission agenda to proceed further.
Jim Sullivan of the Calhoun Wood Festival informed the Commission that the 2025 Theme will be “Gather, Laugh and Remember.” The Festival is promising great entertainment and a new carnival for the 2025 festival.
The Commissioners voted to cover the cost of all electric for the Wood Festival which annually totals about $1,000. The Wood Festival recently discovered that the Courthouse had plugged their heating and cooling units into the Wood Festival service, and increase their bill by over $1300. The Commission approved the payment of that as well.
Graham Knight and Jason Wilson were appointed to the Roane/Calhoun Local Emergency Planning Committee.
An appointment for a new board member on the Mt. Zion Public Service District was on the agenda but tabled for April when Jacob McCumbers stated that he had additional information the other commissioners needed to know before voting.
Britian Kinder was approved, effective March 14th, 2025 for full time employment as Court Security. Kinder is US Veteran with Federal Corrections Experience.
The Commission approved 187 carryover sick days for new hire Jennifer Randolph. The days will not cost the county any money but will extend her length of service upon retirement.
Commissioner McCumbers stated that “If she worked 15 years and accumulated that many days she should not lose them.”
At the closing of the meeting resident Sharon Yanero questioned the Commissioners regarding a salvage yard ordinance after some local areas of concern. Commissioner Lupardus informed her that the County does not have an ordinance, but the matter has been turned over to the State. Two areas have been investigated with more to come and hopefully action to be soon taken. Other citizens with this type of concern should reach out to the WV DNR regional offices.
The next Commission meeting will be on April 15th, 2025.
