The Wetzel County Commission held a mid-month meeting on Tuesday morning February 17, at the County Commission Building to address agenda items. Commission President Carla McBee opened the meeting leading in the Pledge of Allegiance before calling the meeting to order and introducing Valerie Piko of the Regional Economic Development (RED) and Melissa O’Brien from CityNet for updates.

Piko was present to ask the commission to sign the annual resolution with (RED) and to report about a 10-week class for entrepreneurs in the surrounding communities, with the class starting on March 10, and being led by Tina Rush. Melissa O’Brien of CityNet delivered good news to the commission, stating the fiber system from CityNet will be completed within the next six weeks. “So far, we have 549 hookups in Wetzel County with more coming soon,” said O’Brien. “It has been a long process, but the completion is in sight soon.” O’Brien and Piko both thanked the commission for their continued support for both the RED and CityNet.

Johanna Lemasters of Hundred was present to request funding of $265,879 for a new ambulance for the community’s EMS. The cost would be for a a 2025 Ford Demo with under 100 miles on it. Lemasters reported that one of their current ambulances broke down in January and will cost thousands to repair. The ambulance has over 150,000 miles on it, and has had many problems. She stated, the Hundred EMS answered 280 calls last year and are in desperate need of another ambulance. Commissioner Kelly Nelsen said he wants to research other ambulance prices, plus the cost to repair the old one before the commission makes a decision. The commission told Johanna they would be in touch soon on the matter.

Becki Goff, town of Hundred recorder, was present to ask for funding for surveying costs to Annex approximately 130 people and 11 businesses into the city limits. Goff said it would add $7,000 revenue quarterly to help with the city’s budget. Goff’s request was for $65,000 for the surveying. The commission approved the request. She also asked the commission to approve a 20 percent match of $85,000 for the sidewalk project from Route 250 to the football field. Commissioner Nelsen said he would like to review the data before they make a decision.

Robby Parsons, Executive Director of the CVB and Back Home Festival was present to ask for funding of $25,000 for the annual Back Home Festival that was again voted Number one in the state of events. The commission advised they will need to complete their budget for fairs and festivals this year before ruling on the amount for each festival. Parsons presented a detailed description of the festival and its impact on the local economy and businesses thanked the commission for their time and support.

Commissioners unanimously approved the minutes of the February 3, meeting.

The commission rejected a request from the Assessor’s Office for encumbrance of $400,000 expected to be used for lawyers, expert witness testimony, costs, fees, and expenses to cover ongoing litigation of over $10 million in contested and disputed valuations of natural gas pipelines in the county. This was not a request for additional funds. It was a request to carry over to his new budget the funds that had previously been approved by the commission. Commissioners advised Assessor Scott Lemley he will need to resubmit the request in his new budget.

A&M Roofing from Dundee, OH was approved for the East Wetzel Community Center roofing project with a winning bid of $55,000.

A representative from the USDA was not on the agenda but spoke at the end of the meeting informing the commission of low interest loans for homes from the USDA. He said the USDA offers 33-year loans at 5 percent interest for the purchase of a new home. Citizens 62 years and up can apply for a $10,000 grant for repairs to their homes. Also eligible people 62 and can apply for a loan up to $40,000 for repairs, etc with a one percent interest rate if your income falls lower than $37,300 per year. For more information contact the USDA.