| Calhoun commissioners were told Monday by clerk Jean Simers that cash flow was currently a problem with having enough money to pay bills. Simers said, "Although this happens every year, this is about the worst I have noticed."
Simers told the commissioners that bills are caught up, and Commissioner Chip Westfall said overall, despite a stagnant tax base, the county is doing well with its budget.
Commissioner Kevin Helmick thanked Sheriff Carl Ballengee for getting a number of months of backlog financial statements caught-up.
Calhoun will have a new deputy sheriff starting July 18, with the Calhoun Commission approving a request from Sheriff Carl Ballengee to hire Jeff Starcher, a resident of Chloe.
Starcher was a former deputy sheriff and Grantsville police officer, and has been working as a WV transportation officer.
Calhoun commissioners discussed improvements to the security of the courthouse with a $73,500 grant.
County Clerk Jean Simers said the grant will replace the main courthouse doors, which have become dilapidated and insecure, in addition to about ten new security cameras, the security system to be monitored at Calhoun 911.
Simers, who wrote the grant, said an important improvement is being made with security access to the court room.
There was a discussion of the costs of incarceration at Central Regional Jail, that was averaging up to $30,000 monthly last year and has now dropped to about $13,000. The commission has been budgeting about $300,000 for the annual jail bill.
Dianne Ludwig of the LK Development Council gave a report on bids being requested for improvements of the boiler heating system for the courthouse.
- The commission continues seek funding to extend the handicapped chairlift to additional floors.
- The commission appointed a fiduciary to review a legal dispute over the Robert Garrett estate.
- Heard complaint from businessman Tom Ullum regarding courthouse hours, Ullum being specifically critical of Magistrate Court hours, with commissioners advising him the county does not control magistrate court hours. The commission is reviewing courthouse hours with elected officials, which the commission does set.
- The commission, at the request of Calhoun 911, restored U & S Trucking to wrecker rotation, after the business was reinstated by the West Virginia Public Service Commission.
- Approved a request by Sheriff Carl Ballengee for the part-time employment of Judy Powell.
- Wendy Romine of Westbrook Health said the mental health agency is expanding services in Calhoun, including office hours at Minnie Hamilton Health System.
- Adopted the Tobacco Policy of the Mid-Ohio Health Department for Wayne Underwood Field.
- The next regular commission meeting is August 10 at 9 a.m.
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