CALHOUN COMMISSION RECEIVES POSITIVE STATE AUDIT - Commission Hires Tax Attorney To Review Columbia Pipeline Tax Proposals

(02/18/2016)
The Calhoun Commission accepted and approved this week a positive WV Auditors Office financial audit ending June, 2014.

The audit report indicated the county financials were responsibly executed, with a handful of continued recommendations regarding the operation of elected official's offices.

"The commission has continued to carefully monitor the county's expenditures of what has been received from a stagnant tax base and dwindling resources from state revenue streams," said Commission President Bob Weaver.

"In many ways we are fortunate, compared to counties that had high revenues from coal and gas, many of which are having to take drastic measures to stay afloat."

Commissioners Chip Westfall and Kevin Helmick gave credit to elected officials and their employees who have had to make sacrifices.

The commission hired a special tax attorney Michael E. Caryl of Bowles Rice to give the commission advice with proposals issued by Columbia Pipeline, which could give a tax boost to the county.

The commission has moved forward with a Memorandum of Understanding with Columbia pipeline.

The commission is continuing to work with Calhoun Schools regarding their acceptance of PILOT FUNDS (payment in lieu of taxes) proposed by Columbia Pipeline, provided the initial funds would be used to eliminate a $1.7 million deficit facing the system.

Commissioner Kevin Helmick said so far the school systems proposals have not been able to assure the elimination of the deficit using those funds, saying "We are continuing to work on the issue."

The commission voted to approve $1,500 to the Little Kanawha Transit Company as part of an initial agreement for county participation.

Calhoun 911 reported receiving 206 calls in January, 2016.

Minnie Hamilton EMS reported responding to 83 ambulance calls in January.

The commission set March meetings to work on the county budget.