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The Calhoun Commission has scheduled a special budget meeting for November 29 at 4 p.m. to review short-term recommendations to address a current shortfall through June 30, 2011.
Commissioners said that the current 2010-11 budget needs to be adjusted because of budgeted items being exceeded, including the payment to the WV Regional Jail Authority.
West Virginia counties are facing serious financial problems, some of which are linked to jail and correction fees and the current recession with a drop in funding streams.
Commissioners will be asking county officials to support correcting the financial problem.
The current shortfall through June 30 is estimated at $100,000.
The commission had some bad news in a letter regarding employees state retirement funds, which will be increased 2% starting July 1, 2011, which means an additional $18,000 appropriation.
The commission, according to projections for the next fiscal year, could be short $300,000 in operating revenue, or even more.
During Monday's commission meeting:
- The commission approved a request to change the classification of Mike Batten's property, which is outside the Grantsville town limits. It was listed as being inside the town.
- The commission accepted the resignation of Zane Gherke on the Calhoun County Emergency Ambulance Board.
- Businessman Dick Ullum issued a complaint, indicating his wrecker service was not being treated fairly through a rotation policy maintained by Calhoun 911. He indicated he did not have a copy of the county policy implementing rotation of the county's two wrecker services, and should file a formal letter outlining his complaint.
- Businessman Dick Ullum issued a complaint that he had not been treated fairly by the Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation, that he and an associate had wanted to obtain a lot in the Industrial Park. After questioning, Ullum was advised as a first step, he should send a letter of request regarding obtaining property and attend the official board meeting of the LKADC.
- Calhoun 911/OES Director Kathy Wood gave a report on the county's efforts to meet state mandated requirements for a new radio system which meets state-wide requirements, and that new radios will be provided to emergency responders.
- Calhoun County Clerk Richard Kirby, saying he was speaking as a private citizen, complained about an alleged violation of state bidding practices related to asphalt paving at Calhoun's 911 Center. Kirby says the bidding limits for three paving projects totaled a little more than $25,000, after which bidding is required. Kirby said he was interested in saving taxpayers money.
- The commission had issued a letter to 911/OES Director Kathy Wood, requesting a detailed account of the bidding, asking Wood to meet with the commission later this month.
- Jean Simers gave a report for the Family Resource Network, currently taking donations for a Christmas project. FRN offices will be moving a short distance up the street to the former RHEP office. Simers announced that FRN is opening a thrift shop in the basement of the Masonic building.
- Lynn Garver, a community block grant coordinator and Janet Gherke of Calhoun's CRI office, gave a report regarding CRI projects being completed in Calhoun County.
- Shelly Mace spoke to the commission about a bill she received from Westfall's Wrecker Service, claiming it was too much. The commission advised Mace they had no oversight over wrecker bills, and she should complain to the West Virginia Public Service Commission.
- The commission approved a draw-down of money allocated for the 21-mile southern Calhoun water project, requested by Fred Rader with the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council.
- A financial report issued to the commission by Calhoun EMS lacked understanding in reading the document, and the commission's executive secretary Danielle Stevens and 911/OES Director Kathy Wood agreed to meet with EMS Director Josh Johnson to revise the statement.
The financial statements have been requested by the commission after an EMS audit showed a $40,000 shortfall.
- LKADC Executive Director Diane Ludwig said the first lot at the Calhoun Industrial Park has been sold to Josh Burkett, indicating there is now only one lot left out of the flood plain.
- A county Thanksgiving dinner has been scheduled for noon on November 18.
- A regular commission meeting has been set for December 13 at 9 a.m. The commission officially meets about 30 times a year.
Following Monday's meeting, the County Clerk's office, the commissioners and party representatives conducted a canvass of the recent election, which lasted most of the afternoon.
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