By Dakota Baker
The Greenbrier County Commission met on Tuesday, Apr. 21, for a regularly scheduled meeting. Arts and Recreation transfers totaling $329,813.62 were discussed and approved, moving funds from savings to checking to cover several invoices. These included $19,968.92 for library costs for the third quarter of FY 2025–2026 for Alderson, Lewisburg, Ronceverte, Rupert, and White Sulphur Springs.
Additional expenses included $1,032.20 for Meadow River Trail consulting services (partially reimbursable through AML) and $308,312.50 for Meadow River Trail payout #9 to Lynch Construction, representing Phase 3 reimbursement under the AML grant.
Opening the new business portion of the meeting was the consideration of payment for Resolution #23/Invoice #18 for the Greenbrier County PSD #2 Phase II Waterline Extension project. Lesley Taylor joined the meeting via Zoom to discuss the invoice from the Thrasher Group for engineering services related to the PSD #2 waterline extension. The commission’s portion of the cost was $43,351.49, with a request that the amount be drawn from the commission’s project contribution.
Commissioner Richie Holliday asked how much longer remains until the project’s completion, to which Lesley responded, “We’re looking for a completion towards the end of September 2026.” Commissioner Holliday then requested an update on the line running under the interstate, and Lesley stated that no update had been received yet but noted that a meeting at the PSD office was scheduled for the first Wednesday of May. Holliday made a motion to accept Resolution #23 in the amount of $43,351.49, which passed unanimously.
Next, the commissioners discussed consideration of the Construction Contract for the Greenbrier County GigReady Broadband Project. Amanda Smarr from Region 4 joined the meeting via Zoom to provide an overview of the contract. She stated, “This is going to be the construction contract for the Greenbrier GigReady broadband project. Quanta has reviewed it. Legal for the project has reviewed it as well as the legal for Quanta. So, this should be the final contract between Quanta and the Greenbrier County Commission.”
Commissioner Rose asked when the project was expected to begin once all approvals were in place. Amanda responded, “We hope to have a notice to proceed from the state, if not today (Apr. 21), then by the end of the week. So, what will have to happen is a pre-construction meeting will have to happen is a pre-construction meeting will have to be scheduled. That is typically when the contracts are signed by both parties, by both the commission and the contractor and then once that happens the engineer can issue their notice to proceed as well, and then construction can proceed at that point.”
It was subsequently confirmed that the pre-construction meeting was expected to take place by Friday, Apr. 24. The commissioners then voted unanimously to sign the construction contract.
Additionally, the commissioners considered Draw Request #19 for the GigReady Broadband Project, which had originally been tabled on Mar. 24, 2026. Amanda explained that the delay was due to several invoices lacking match allocations. She noted that the state may request an additional form and, if so, the commission would be notified; however, the request could still move forward for approval in the meantime. “So this is why the resolution will look a little different than the other resolutions,” Smarr explained.
The request included two invoices to Thompson and Litton, one for $14,100 and another for $8,000. The matching funds for these invoices would come from ARPA funds, with contributions of $3,525 and $2,000 respectively. Amanda said, “That is the typical 75/25 split because it is on engineering and matching funds are included on that line item.”
In addition, a Citynet invoice was presented, primarily for equipment, totaling $1,020,761.69. The only portion not related to equipment was for Make Ready, which is the portion eligible for matching funds. Amanda clarified, “that’s where it can get a little bit confusing, so 25% of that Make Ready in that invoice is $1,328.95, which would be what the commitment would be from the commission. The remaining balance of that invoice would be paid from grant funds, which would be $1,019,432.74. So the total match commitment on this invoice from the commission would be $6,853.95.” A motion was made and approved for Draw Request #19.
Commissioners then moved onto consideration of resolution for distribution of the Greenbrier County Opioid Funds. Commissioner Holliday read the drafted resolution for the allocation of funds. The funds are to be distributed as follows: $112,500 for White Sulphur Springs EMS, $112,500 to Fairlea EMS, $25,000 to Alderson EMS, $150,000 to the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department including $50,000 for the drug task force, $100,000 for the Greenbrier County Prosecutor’s Office, $50,000 to the Greenbrier County Health Department (overdose prevention and infectious disease response program). Total primary allocations are $550,000. In section two under community programs, $5,000 to God’s Way Home, $5,000 for Seed Sowers, $5,000 for West Virginia Healing Home, $5,000 for Communities in Schools, $5,000 for Greenbrier County Care Coalition, $5,000 for D.A.R.E, $5,000 for Fruits of Labor. Total community allocation $35,000. Investment of remaining funds: any remaining opioid settlement funds shall be deposited in the West Virginia Investment Pool or other approved investment vehicles. The county clerk or county commission president are authorized necessary actions to implement this resolution. The resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. The resolution was unanimously approved.
The commission then considered setting the Greenbrier County levy rate for fiscal year 2026–2027. The rate will remain at 12.93, consistent with previous years.
Next, the commission reviewed and approved the Greenbrier County Humane Society Contractual Agreement for fiscal year 2026–2027. No changes were made to the contract, and the funding amount remains $225,000.
This was followed by consideration of funding requests from the Mountain Transit Authority for fiscal year 2026–2027. Timothy Thomas, representing the Mountain Transit Authority, presented to the commission and reported that Greenbrier County MTA has expanded to six drivers and increased mileage coverage throughout the area. The request was approved.
Next, the commission considered a court security grant application and accompanying resolution. The application seeks funding to install security cameras for the magistrate clerks, as well as back door alarms. The application is due May 8, and the commission’s action was to grant permission to apply and approve the resolution authorizing the commission president to sign the application.
Lastly, the commission considered a funding request from the Greenbrier Valley Airport for Arts & Recreation special funding. The airport is hosting a fly-in and car show on June 13, 2026, and requested assistance with expenses including entertainment, on-site restrooms, and children’s activities such as bounce houses and face painting. The total request was $4,800. Commissioner Holliday noted that the Arts & Recreation code had been reviewed and confirmed that this type of funding is permissible. The request was approved unanimously.
The next meeting of the Greenbrier County Commission is set for Tuesday, May 12, at 10 a.m. at the Greenbrier County Courthouse.
