BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The joint Organizational Meeting/Regular Session of the Raleigh County Commission took place on Tuesday.
Through an unremarkable gathering in many ways, the collective cognizance of public unrest in the face of the ongoing water situation throughout the county lingered over the proceedings like a specter.Â
Residents struggling with the water shortage were acknowledged in the traditional opening prayer just prior to the meeting, though the agenda itself was generally constituted with business as usual.
The Organizational Meeting came first, with the nomination of a commission president being spurred on by Commissioner Epling’s nomination of existing president Dave Tolliver. Commissioner Epling’s nomination was seconded by Tolliver himself, easily notching the Commission President to the 66.6% majority needed to retain his position – but notably, not before Commissioner Duckworth threw his own hat in the ring in spite of the knowledge that Tolliver himself would be left with the deciding vote.
Approval of rules and regulations for public meetings, the 2023 holiday schedule, and the 2023 pay period comprised the remainder of the brief organization portion of the meeting.
The Regular Session of the Raleigh County Commission saw a budget revision of $90,000 for wages and retirement passed for the county prosecuting attorney’s office.
Several new employees were approved for the sheriff’s office, including new deputies Matthew S. Dunlap and Howard Farnsworth, and new assistant to the sheriff Mikayla Epling. All new county employees were confirmed to have successfully completed background checks and drug testing.
Consideration of a computer support contract for Global Science & Technology for IT services for $2,050 monthly from January to December 2023 totaling at $24,600 passed. This contract purportedly is a continuation of the current arrangement.
Other considerations passed at Tuesday’s session include a grant for $2,000 to the Beckley Community United Methodist Church for the Beckley Warming Center, and an agreement with JHS Group to write and get grants for Raleigh County projects.
Approvals included that of White Oak Water Project Drawdown Number 7 in the amount of $9010, and a grant contract resolution from the WV Department of Economic Development for the Raleigh County Ghent Fiber GigReady Project in the amount of $5,889,198. Local funds drawdown for Clear Fork trails project was also approved at $1,912.50, as was that of AML drawdown request #9 for $1,650.
Property Safety Complaints/Petitions were arranged for presentation at a February 7th meeting where each item will see individual discussion.
The meeting saw adjournment following Public Participation and final approvals/reports. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Raleigh County Commission is set to occur on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 10:00 AM in the Raleigh County Commission Chamber.
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage of the Raleigh County area can be found here.
