Laura Dean Bennett
Staff Writer
West Virginia State Auditor J.B. McCuskey addressed the Pocahontas County Commission at Tuesday morning’s meeting, and introduced the commission to the state’s new website, wvcheck book.gov. This site will give the public a detailed picture of “every penny spent in West Virginia and all income to the state treasury in real time.”
The auditor’s goal is to be able to offer complete transparency regarding all government income and expenditures in West Virginia at every level – state, county and municipalities.
At this point in time the website does not track the State Board of Education nor the Department of Highways.
McCuskey asked commissioners to consider adding Pocahontas County to the county entities which will be featured on the website.
Commissioners heard several presentations from worthy causes requesting contributions from the county and approved the following:
• Cheryl Jonese with the Pocahontas County Prevention Coalition received $5,000 to promote addiction prevention programs and smoking cessation programs in the county.
• Tucker Community Foundation received $4,000 to help fund athletic programs for the disabled in Pocahontas County.
• Pocahontas County Senior Programs received $2,974 for vehicle repairs, license fees and fuel costs for Meals-On-Wheels vehicles.
• American Red Cross received $2,000 to help fund county emergency volunteer training and expenses.
• Tim Walker, representing Bryan’s Battery Civil War Re-enactors, received $750 to help fund the Battle of Droop Mountain re-enactment.
In other business, the commission
• authorized Commissioner David McLaughlin to appoint a sub-committee of the 911 Advisory Committee to address concerns regarding updating the 911 Mapping and Address Ordinance as it applies to road signage.
• paid Mike Vance $3,202 for replacement locks on doors at the ARC Building to increase security there.
• approved the Emergency Absentee Voting Policy which affects citizens in the hospital or the Pocahontas Center for the November 6 general election.
• approved a grant proposal to the West Virginia Secretary of State under the Help America Vote Act for 40 new voting machines at a 50 percent cost-share of $134,553.84
• entered into a contract with SecuriTech for placement of security cameras at the ARC Building which would be connected with the 911 Center’s system at a cost of $12,789
• appointed J. L. Clifton and Janet Ghigo to the Pocahontas Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees for six year terms expiring June 30, 2024
• entered into a six-month contract with arborist Ken Beezley for $1,900 for maintenance on four trees on courthouse property
• directed Emergency Services and Homeland Security Director Mike O’Brien to pursue an agreement with CityNet for $14,500 for construction costs for a fiber line from the 911 center to the Thomastown radio tower (codifying an existing arrangement).
• approved purchase of a vehicle for Day Report to transport clients from the northern end of the county to court dates and programs, etc. The vehicle will be 4WD and the cost will not exceed $14,999. Commissioner Jesse Groseclose will supervise the purchase.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Pocahontas County Commission will be Tuesday, August 21, at 5:30 p.m.
The public is invited to attend.