Featured, Meetings

State Auditor Speaks to Commission Concerning ARPA Funding

The Doddridge County Commission held their regular meeting on July 20, 2021 in the upstairs Courtroom. 

With all Commissioners being present, the meeting was called to order by Shawn Glaspell, President, at 6PM after holding a silent prayer and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. 

The minutes from the past meeting were approved as presented. 

An email from Cindy Welch with questions concerning the handling of dilapidated houses was read to the Commission. President Glaspell said the answer to most if not all of her questions was no. 

John B. “JB” McCuskey, WV State Auditor took the floor to present information concerning the American Rescue Plan Act Funding that will be distributed through out the cities and continue within the next few months. 

 He informed the audience that included elected officials  from Harrison & Ritchie County Commissions, Pullman and West Union that the ARAF could only be used for two purposes, to fund broadband or to fund water, sewer or storm sewer drainage. He noted that currently there were plenty of funds on the table for Broadband funding but for the water/sewer and storm Sewer, funding has been a long time in its making. 

He pointed out that even though the money was being distributed, approval of the expenditures would be after the money was spent instead of prior to the projects being started. 

He suggested that communities sharing a border work together to so as to not pay double for things like engineering and other services. 

He noted that with this funding from the Federal Government comes paperwork and reports that will be required to be completed to keep track of the dollars spent.

He was asked how much the County would be receiving to which he responded two payments of 1.35 Million each. (Beth Kellar had previously confirmed that the Commission had already received the first payment.)

He encouraged those in attendance to call if they had questions or needed help with the computer programs.  

Howard “Dee” Spurlock offered to the Commission a@ 7.45 acre piece of property on Smithton Road, at the cost of $300,000.  The property has water service and three phase power to it and Jennifer Wilt, DC EDA Director spoke to the need for the County to have an industrial area and noted that it would cost $125,000 for sewer.

Questions were asked as to how much of the property was in the flood plain which was estimated to be @ 2 acres and if there was free gas which was noted to be limited. 

The Commission approved Spurlock’s offer. 

Lowell Bee, for Charity Gas spoke briefly to the Commission and offered the Old DCHS property to them (less the mineral rights) at no coat. The Commission tabled this until the next meeting so the questions concerning the property could be answered. 

Clinton Means, being on the DC Board of Health, spoke to the need to expand the Health Department Building due to the State’s requiring them to hire three new tracing persons and store pandemic supplies. 

The adjoining property to the Health Department had been offered for $32,100. Glaspell and Travis voted to purchase this tract with Means abstaining. 

Herk Connor was approved to take complete the term of Deloris Hinterer, who resigned,  on the PSD Board. 

Brad Riffee, for the Harrison Doddridge Counties United Way requested $5,600 for 211 Service and $3,000 to assist those who are in an emergency situation. The Commission approved his request. 

Michell Britton, Circuit Clerk , Discussion of Communication practices was tabled until the next meeting. 

The Commission approved the use of the Commission Room by the Assessor’s Tax office, except on 1st Tuesday Morning of the month. 

Without much flair, Glaspell presented the list of Holidays for the up coming year which was approved unanimously. 

Approval of the purchase of New Inventory Tags was tabled to the next meeting. 

The Commissioners approved the clean out of junk items from the Broiler Room after the 17th of August. 

The Commission approved : WVCorP Insurance, Depository Collateral West Union Bank, Depository Collateral for Summit Bank and the application for Consolidation of Land made by David P. Fisher. 

They went on to approve placing Operation Lifesaver under the direction of the OEM and to release Operation Lifesaver’s funds early.

The Commissioners and Jennifer Wilt had a brief discussion concerning Rusty Nicholson’s employment status and decided that he was an employee of the PSD and it would be up to them concerning his employment. 

OEMS Director and Floodplain Manager, George Eidel reported there were no new Floodplain Permits. As OEMS Director, he gave the 911 run report , reported that he was still having weekly OEMS meetings with the State and still picking up the vaccinations for the Health Department. 

He noted that he had checked out the property by the water tower and there had bee three structure fires. 

Neal Romain reported the DCAA has $539,079 in their checking account and had been paid in the Month of July $17,324.08.

David King, CoW, reported that someone was using the dumpsters so he had placed signs in the area, Extension Office window job was completed but there still needed to be work done. The Blue House and for the Smithburg repair jobs, the materials have been ordered. 

He ended his report reporting that on next Monday the contractors will begin moving equipment in to build the new annex. 

Under Budget Revisions the Coal Severance carried over a negative $2,175 which was moved from the County Commission. 

The second was a carry over from the General County in the amount of $3,658,634 which was paid to various accounts including the annex account which received $3,218,827. 

There were five Estate Probates that were approved by the Commission to be signed by President Glaspell.

There were 22 Exonerations approved by the Commission.