| The Mt. Zion PSD board's secretary-treasurer Wilma Mace tendered a letter of resignation Saturday while board members were collecting business records from her residence.
The board voted Friday to place Mace on administrative leave, hiring Saundra Ballengee to serve in the position.
Mace has advised board members that she is ill, reportedly unable to perform her duties, with board members concerned about billing problems.
Mace did not appear at the last two board meetings, nor had she been in contact with board members.
Mace told the Calhoun Commission earlier this year that problems in 2008 over the delay in obtaining right-of-ways for the county's $5.2 million project was because she was sick.
Board members, during a public meeting, told the commissioners they were unaware of the delays, at which time the commission initiated a work effort with the PSD to obtain the right-of-ways.
Those right-of-ways were obtained in fairly short order, allowing the project to move to bid.
Since then, a myriad of problems have surfaced not only over the operation of the PSD, but with the water project bidding process.
Indications are that the PSD has been unable to pay their bills, and that board members are not aware of the PSD's financial status.
The WV Public Service Commission has ordered the PSD to supply minutes and financial records since 2006.
The Calhoun Commission, using a Freedom of Information request, was unable to obtain records from Mace this summer, except for a few cursory records.
The state Public Service Commission, following a request by the Calhoun Commission, an action also endorsed by Mt. Zion PSD board members, has announced the scope of their investigation.
The state agency has "hereby instituted a general investigation into the acts, practices, and services provided by the Mt. Zion PSD."
They indicated the investigation and decision will be completed on or before February 18, 2010.
County commissions are responsible for appointing PSD board members, who hire their own administrative staff, and PSD financial records are suppose to available to commissioners.
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