By Chelsea Blair
A regular meeting of the Greenbrier County Commission on Aug. 15 began with Arts and Recreation transfers in the amount of $8,379.50, which includes $7,000 is to be transferred to the Meadow River Trail for mowing fees and $1,379.50 is to be transferred to the Sportsplex for the final NPDES Permit closeout, in a prorated amount.
Next, budget revisions were discussed with increasing law enforcement EICA by $701.04 for Board of Education overtime reimbursement, $2,985 to be transferred to the line-item total of $731,221 to Day Report for the Community Corrections Grant for training, and the increase for monthly Deputy Sheriff uniform fee from $705.67 to $726.50 which is now coming out of the general account instead of the special account.
Commission President Tammy Shifflett-Tincher welcomed the new Associate Director of the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area, Larry Jent, to give a presentation. Jent is a Methodist Minister and says he was hired by the organization because of his experience in starting and building non-profit organizations as well as his connections with the Native American heritage.
“Indigenous people are part of the whole story of history.” said Jent, stating that he can help tell the story by bringing in resources who know the history from a firsthand account. Also, Jent hopes the organization can become an umbrella organization to help groups that may be eligible for grants but do not know which way to turn, by helping get things started for them and facilitate the things they need. Tincher thanked Jent and said she appreciates his interest in wanting to continue his service in Greenbrier County along with other counties in the organization.
The next item of business on the agenda was the consideration of payment of Resolution #4 for the WSS TIF (tax increment financing) Project – White Sulphur Springs Route 60 East Sewer Project. A representative from Region 4 presented the resolution stating that the project is now actively under contract. The first payment included in the resolution is $511,285.41 to Veer Contracting for the purchase of initial materials needed to begin the construction, along with $26,792.20 to E.L. Robinson to pay the remainder of fees for design services and to begin paying them for construction administration and inspection services. The resolution also includes the reimbursement to Region 4 in the amount of $304.48 for fees for advertising the bid, bringing the total amount requested to $538,182.09. The resolution was approved unanimously.
The next item of business was the Consideration of award of bid received for FEMA/HMGP Residential Elevation Grant-Fort Springs 4603-002: 169 John Perry Ln, Fort Springs. President Tincher stated the resolution was not able to be considered in this meeting, therefore, they would reopen the discussion in the next meeting.
The last item on the agenda was to confirm the separation of employment for Maggie Bartenslager from the Greenbrier County 4-H Extension office effective on Aug. 12. Maggie has been the Program Assistant since May 7, but is moving on to a position in Morgantown.
Tincher reminded everyone that the next meeting of the County Commission will be held on Aug. 27.
