The Wetzel County Commission held its regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 7 to discuss various matters throughout the county. Cork Bowen, from the Paden City Development Authority, was present for a follow-up of the June 12 meeting regarding a donation request for roof replacement and repair. He said the PCDA philosophy is to help promote the town, and the authority has grown into a niche as service providers. Therefore, the PCDA wants to keep lease agreements relatively reasonable, so it can prosper and not have to worry about spending all of its money on rent. Bowen said he is having the same type of conversations with the Tyler County Commission as well. He has asked for $45,000 from the Tyler County Commission as the PCDA is actually located in Tyler County.

It was noted the Wetzel County Commission has been very generous to the PCDA before in helping when a new roof was installed on the gymnasium in 2012. The Wetzel Commission partnered with Tyler County with that as well.

Bowen noted all of the tenants in the building, that he’s asking to replace the roof on, service Wetzel County. He noted even the Juvenile Services at the Industrial Park services Wetzel County as well. Bowen noted the money that comes in from rent goes back into the building for the repair, maintenance and utilities for Health and Recreation.

A motion was made and approved to give the Paden City Development Authority $33,357.00 to replace the roof on the reception hall at Paden City Health and Recreation Building.

Rhonda Spencer, the Recorder from the Town of Pine Grove, was present regarding a request for funding. The request was declined until further information was obtained.

A motion was made and passed to approve to give a donation to the Grandview-Doolin Public Service District for $350,000 for two separate water extensions. A motion was also made and passed to approve the payment of $9,422 toward the purchase of Warning Siren equipment.

Rick Healy, from the Belomar Regional Council, was present regarding the budget revision and drawdown for the Hundred-Littleton Public Service District. About a month ago, Mr. Healy brought a budget amendment request for the Hundred-Littleton Project – which was a final balance budget revision. Due to some rounding issues, it was rejected. The only way it could be corrected was to take .45 from the administration line item. A new budget revision request had to be made, leaving a balance of $7,824.17 in administration fees. A new budget request needed to be approved, and the draw needed to be resigned and approved as well. A motion was made and passed to approve the draw for $27,385.50. A motion was made and passed to approve an amendment decreasing the administration cost by .45.

Rob Smith, fire chief for Grandview Volunteer Fire Department, was present with a request for funding for the purchase of a fire truck. Grandview VFD is currently in the process of purchasing a new fire engine rescue pumper to replace a 1980 four-wheel drive pumper that had to be retired. The department is looking at a 2019 four-wheel drive rescue pumper that will be equipped with a 1250 pump, a 1,000 gallon tank; it will have enough compartment space to carry all of the firefighters’ firefighting and rescue equipment. The lowest bidder, after receiving two bids from two different companies, is $332,000. The high cost is mainly because it is a four-wheel drive truck. The department has $100,000 to put down on the truck. The request made was for $100,000 to bring the payments down. Grandview VFD is considering a 10-year lease purchase program. If the department is able to put $200,000 toward the cost of the truck, that leaves around $130,000 to pay. Over a ten-year period that would leave two payments a year of $6,500. Right now, the Grandview VFD has 20 members, 14 of which who are firefighters. A motion was made and approved to donate $100,000 to the Grandview VFD toward a new fire truck.

In another matter, J.C. Kimble from Valley High School was present regarding a Prevention Resource Officer grant application. He stated nothing had changed on the paperwork. His request was for help on the salary of VHS’ PRO. It was noted Superintendent Ed Toman has already signed his part of the documents for the matching funds from the Wetzel County Board of Education, which is just a little over $18,000. The grant is for $28,000. A motion was made and approved for the commission to participate in the 2018 Prevention Resource Officer grant program for Valley High School and donate $18,088 as the commission’s share.

In other matters, at a previous meeting of the commission, a motion was made and passed to approve leasing a copier for the judge’s office.

A motion was made and passed to approve $54,067 for the 911 CAD system upgrade; the 911 Center is paying $40,000, bringing the total cost of the upgrade to $94,067. The maintenance for the system is $17,669 per year but is paid for through the 911 center’s budget.

Also, Brad Brown from the Jacksonburg VFD was present regarding a request for funds to finish the department’s building. A motion was made and passed to approve $150,000 for the completion of the building.