By Chelsea Blair
During the regular Greenbrier County Commission meeting on Sept. 10, commissioners discussed two resolutions related to the Greenbrier County Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Sewer Improvement Project along White Sulphur Springs Route 60 East. The first resolution involves payment of invoices totaling $114,754.73, all of which are requested from TIF funds. Of this amount, $91,893.58 is for invoice #2 from Veerco, the project’s contractor, and $22,861.15 is for invoice #5 from E.L. Robinson, the project’s engineering firm. Of the amount due to E.L. Robinson, $1,000 is allocated for construction administration and the remaining $21,861.15 is for inspection fees. The second resolution considers change order #1, requested by the city of White Sulphur Springs.
The city foresees a significant benefit in including the installation of service line cleanouts, which they believe will enhance long-term maintenance efficiency and avoid the need for future excavation of pipes if issues arise. The cost for incorporating these cleanouts is $165,000. If this amount is taken from the existing budget, it would reduce the contingency to approximately $20,000, leaving minimal leeway for potential future issues. Therefore, the resolution requests an additional $165,000 from TIF funds be allocated to the project. Any remaining funds will be returned to the county commission for redistribution. The commissioners approved this request unanimously.
Next, the commissioners discussed draw request #6 for the Public Service District #2 Waterline Extension Project, which extends from Sam Black to Asbury and from Charmco to Rainelle. The draw request covers legal services provided by David Moore, in the amount of $5,743.80. According to a Thrasher Engineering representative, bidding for the project is scheduled for October 11. The project will extend further along Shoestring Trail than originally anticipated due to additional customers, bringing the total committed customers to around 200. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of next year, with the total project cost estimated at $20 million. Funding sources include the County Commission, the state revolving fund, the drinking water program, the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council, and a grant from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Commissioner President Tammy Shifflett-Tincher noted that the County has committed $2.5 million from the American Rescue Plan funds for this Water Extension Project, which is essential for providing quality water to local residents. The draw request payment was approved unanimously.
Additionally, the commissioners considered Draw Request #3 for the Greenbrier Gig Ready Broadband project. A payment of $436,170.63 will be made to CityNet and then forwarded to the relevant power companies, including AEP and MonPower, for necessary make-ready improvements on the poles. Invoices from Thompson and Litton for engineering and design services totaling $100,480 were also presented, bringing the total requested amount from the ARPA funding to $605,450.62.
The meeting also included approval of three new hires, Tim Wilson, Desiree Canterbury, and Ariel Ellis, for the Greenbrier County 911 Center to fill full-time dispatcher positions. Each new hire was approved individually. The commissioners reviewed a poll worker list from the Election Office, representing both the Republican and Democratic Executive Committees, to allow the County Clerk to make any necessary changes. The consideration to establish or affirm Audit Committee members was addressed, with the committee members being Kelly Banton, Robin Loudermilk, and Ted Humphreys.
Other agenda items included an Arts and Recreation transfer for phase 3 engineering of the AML grant reimbursement on the Meadow River Trail, two budget revisions – one increasing law enforcement overtime by $4,620, and another increasing the County Commission Professional Services fire protection planning disbursement by $75,935.64 – and three proclamations: naming September 2024 Hunger Action Month, recognizing the Daughters of the American Revolution in honor of Constitution Week, and transferring Greenbrier County trials from September 24-27 to the Pocahontas County Courthouse due to construction at the Greenbrier County Courthouse. All budget revisions, proclamations, and arts and recreation transfers were approved unanimously.
Before adjourning, Tincher announced that the public hearing tentatively scheduled for Oct. 22 to consider the renewal of the Optimum Altice Cable Franchise agreement will now be held on Oct. 23 at 9:30 a.m., prior to the regular meeting at 10 a.m. Commissioner Nicholas Dailey encouraged anyone considering adopting a pet to visit the Greenbrier Humane Society, which is nearing capacity. Commissioner Lowell Rose expressed his appreciation to Public Service District #2, the Thrasher Group, and all involved in the Waterline Project, emphasizing its importance to many Greenbrier County residents.
