The Greenbrier County Commission met earlier this week, and approved the appointment of multiple positions in governmental agencies including the Circuit Clerk’s office, Assessor’s Office, and home confinement department.
Jason Osborne, Jessica Irons, and Donna Norman were all newly appointed to the Arts and Recreation board, and Doug Hylton was reappointed to his same position as grant writer. Dan Edwards, formerly of the 911 call center, was appointed to the Planning Commission board. Kaitlyn Shaver was approved to a full time position in the Circuit Clerk’s office, a position that had previously been only part-time. Two field appraisers were approved to work in the Assessor’s Office in order to fill two vacancies, John Deets and Richard Herndon.
Greenbrier County Sheriff Bruce Sloan took the stand to recommend Johnathan Birchfield as a new home confinement officer hire. Birchfield has previous Army experience, and Sloan said he was chosen out of several highly qualified applicants.
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The commission heard an update on the Sam Black Water Line Extension Project, and approved a small cities block grant in the amount of $91,637.11 that will help with assorted elements of the massive project.
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County commissioners emphasized that there is a limited window to apply for the Slum and Blight demolition program. The program is funded federally through the National Guard as well as through HUD, and is open to residents who were affected by the storms of 2016. Commissioner Hanna explained it’s open to all victims of the “storm,” not just victims of flooding. He said this means that more people will be eligible for help under this program, compared to most that only assist with flood damage.
A press release sent from the commission states, “Anyone that has a business or residential structure that is vacant, abandoned, condemned and was made worse or in fact damaged by the 2016 storm and did not qualify for any other programs should contact the County Commission office as soon as possible at 304-647-6689 ext 0. The deadline to notify the office will be Monday, August 20, 2018 to apply. There is no guarantee by the Commission or the county offices that it will be approved. Applicants must own the property free and clear to apply.”
Hanna went on to say that the deadline for the program has actually already passed, but he believes that since it was such a short window that applications will still be accepted. Any funds not used by the program will cycle back into infrastructure.
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County Clerk Robin Loudermilk announced that the county has applied for the Secretary of State Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Grant, which includes a total of $6.5 million in funds available for the purpose of updating voting equipment. Loudermilk said that the county has applied for a total of $72,720 for e-poll books and a new sonic wall to help protect voting privacy.
