| The County Commission covered a rather large agenda yesterday.
Four property owners of Backfork Road, Big Springs, requested the commission to assist them with obtaining public water, indicating their property was excluded from the Yellow Creek-Backfork project, although one or more of the residents paid a water deposit.
Bob Beall, speaking for parties attending the meeting, said the extension is only six-tenths of a mile and would meet the number of hook-ups per mile.
The petition said the lack of water is creating a hardship to the elderly and disabled who live in the area.
Commission president Larry McCallister, said he would contact Pleasant Hill PSD chief Dale Cunningham to see what the commission might do to move the request along.
The commission opened bids regarding the moving of the 911 center to its new location, which includes a number of equipment purchases, upgrades and computer programs to operate the system. The total amount of the bids was about $90,000. They were referred to 911 Director Dave Johnson for review.
Commissioners acknowledged citations issued by the Mid Ohio Valley Health Department to Wayne Underwood Field and the Calhoun County Park, saying the problems will be addressed. (See earlier Herald story)
The commission, after being notified by the health department about cigarette smoking on courthouse property, said signs will be posted with the smoking rules passed last year by the MOVHD, which includes not smoking within 15 feet of entrance doors.
The commission, upon recommendation of the handbook committee, voted to update the handbook, continuing to use it as a manual for personnel issues for county employees.
The commission processed several General Election items, reviewed the ballot, decided on the number of poll workers and the appointment of two emergency absentee election commissioners. The commission was advised new printers will be installed in the computerized voting machines.
County Clerk Richard Kirby reported on some overdue improvements in and outside the county courthouse, which will be done as part of maintenance on the facility.
They include stripping, cleaning and waxing the halls at a cost of $2,040, the installation of new blinds in the courtrooms at a cost of $1,300 and placing T-1 cables and hanging wires on the outside of the building in conduit. Crumbling concrete on the courthouse steps will also be addressed.
Cheryl McCallister resigned from the county park board and approval was given to the hiring of Jacob McCumbers as a part-time 911 dispatcher.
A memo will be sent to all elected officials to advise the County Commission when they make personnel changes.
Work is expected to begin on the Khoury Building on September 1, remodeling it for Family Court.
A budget revision was made to make a one-time increase of $2,500 to the Little Kanawha Area development Corporation.
Taxpayers Doug Grounds and Justin Wizard appeared before the commission with requests for reduction of taxes.
Grounds was told the commission does not have the authority to change tax classifications, and could not assist him.
Wizard's taxes increased on his farm because his Farm Use Valuation form was not received by the assessor last fall, with Wizard claiming he put it in the mail. Wizard also said he did not receive a notice in the mail from the State Tax Department in January advising him of his taxes.
Commissioner Larry McCallister told Wizard it could be a problem adjusting his taxes at this late date, but he would check with other county commissions regarding precedent.
The next general meeting is scheduled for September 11th.
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