In the Wetzel County Commission Office, the March 7th meeting was held to conduct the county’s business. First on the agenda was the approval of the commission’s February 14 meeting. Commission President Lisa Heasley and Commissioner Greg Morris were in attendance. Commissioner McBee was absent. The Minutes were approved.

Following the approval of the minutes, the minutes of the February 17th meeting were approved. At this meeting the commission was sitting as the Board of Review &Equalization. It was approved that the meeting was adjourned, and approved in the minutes.

Deputy Cody Elliot and Deputy Daniel Jackson were approved for their longevity salary increase. Also Deputy Michael Owens was approved as the PRO Officer at Magnolia. It was also approved that his salary would be changed to come out of appropriate funding. All three officer changes were approved by the commission.

The request Revision to approve the budget revision for, fund #1 and revision # 9 was approved by the commission.

County Emergency Operational Plans for Continuity were approved. This provision is in the unlikely event members of the county’s chain of command and operation were rendered unable to continue, and a clear chain of command would be in place. The re-approval of the provision was approved by the Commission.

Approval was given for Sheriff Koontz to begin the process of hiring a Special Victims Officer in the Wetzel County Sheriffs Department. Applicants will need to submit their names to the sheriff’s office for arrangements to be given the Civil Service Test.

The request from Clay Lunceford of the Pinegrove Police department for consideration for a new patrol car was tabled at this time.

Weldon Williams, representing the Sistersville Ferry board, requested funding to supplement a Community Agency Endowment Fund. The board approved a portion of his request. $5000.00 will be placed into the Fund. In addition, the fund itself will match the amount of money from the commission. The purpose of the community fund program out of Wheeling, is to eventually have the funding for programs in need of funding to have a self-generating resource. Commission approved the money for the ferry Board.

Sharon Campbell Chief executive of the Wetzel County Chamber of Commerce requested funding for free community events that provide a benefit to Wetzel County. The Ramp Festival, County Awards, Activity Days’ centering on Christmas and design and update of the Chambers web-site. The Commission approved Sharon Campbell’s request for $26,450.00 for the year of 2023. Commission approved the money.

Betty Klug approached the council requesting use of the Courthouse lobby for a bake sale next Monday, March 13 to benefit the Relay for Life Program. Commission gave approval. A request was also made seeking $500.00 to help fund the Relay for life Dinner, June 12. This request is for 50 percent share of the cost. Commission approved Ms. Klug’s request.

Holly Morgan and Robby Parsons were present to make a financial request of the commission. They explained that this year, the Back Home Festival will be charging $10 a day or $25 for the three day events. The cost of admittance is in line with other fairs and festivals in the area. After this year the money raised will support the festival. Annual cost is approximately $100,000. The three day event brings in over fifteen thousand visitors to the community. Surveys held after the weekend, shows local business revenues increased during the event by as much as 400 percent. Robby’s request to get through this year, and move towards self-sustaining funding, was for $40,000. This should be the last time a request of the commission will be made. The Back Home Festival has been awarded the best festival in West Virginia and is the highest rated from a tourism aspect. Commission approved $40,000.

Holly Morgan addressed the commission on another matter concerning the Hundred area Civil War Trail. Ms. Morgan requested $3000.00 for a historical marker sign to be erected near the trail in Hundred, telling of the significance of the site. Commission felt that for the time being, any funding for projects in Hundred would best be spent on water and sewer projects.

Ms. Morgan also explained that on April 28, the Museum will undertake a project of cleaning the historical signs around the county. She indicated many are in need of cleaning to be readable. Tourism is an important part of the state’s income and we should make sure signs are clean and representative of the pride we have in the state. Anyone wishing to help on April 28, to clean signs, please contact Holly Morgan or Robby Parsons at the Wetzel County Museum.

Scott Lemely addressed the commission explaining that he has accepted the bids from Six Guns and Atlas for county aerial surveying. Along with that service, they will maintain electronic devices and programs needed by the assessor’s office to maintain operations. No approval was needed because the cost, approximate $93,000.00 will come out of his department’s yearly budget.

The Wetzel County Commission also signed, filed, and approved various documents presented by the County offices including but not limited to Estates filings, checks, listing of invoices for payment, purchase orders, and reports for payroll, transfer orders, exoneration, letters and addressed matters requested by Prosecuting Attorney.

Per WV Ethics and Open Meetings Act, the Agenda for the County Commission will be posted within two business days prior to meeting.

The Wetzel County Commission will next meet on March 21, 2023 at 9:30 am