| The Calhoun Commission has received the highest ever monthly regional jail bill.
The June bill was in excess of $26,000.
"We have the money to cover the bill in the present budget. but if it continues to increase it will effect future budgets," said commission president Chip Westfall.
Commissioners have expressed concern about jail costs, along with many West Virginia counties, placing a crunch on county budgets.
West Virginia is a state with the highest rates of incarcerations in the US.
The commission went into executive session this week to discuss legal issues related to the former Calhoun County Emergency Medical Service.
The legal avenues are being pursued to determine the disposition of the former Calhoun EMS assets and the distribution of collected money and payments to creditors.
So far, the commission has met a stone wall, and Charleston attorney Tim LaFon has not been responsive, LaFon reportedly hired to represent the former agencies interests, but according to two of the three remaining EMS board members, they were unaware of the action to hire the attorney.
"This is an accountability issue in which county taxpayers need answers," said Westfall.
The commission passed a resolution opposing a current increase request by Mon Power of at least 16%.
An earlier story saying that the increases could be as high as 23%, do not impact local Mon Power customers.
The commission is moving ahead with a required installation of a fire escape and some metal doors for the courthouse at the cost of $78,000.
Minnie Hamilton Health System reported responding to 113 calls in June.
Calhoun 911 reported on monthly activity.
The commission issued $1,500 each to the Calhoun County Park and the Wood Festival Committee/Wayne Underwood Field for maintenance.
Perry Dye was appointed to the Pleasant Hill PSD.
The next regular commission meeting is on August 11.
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