By Stephen Smoot
The Pendleton County Commission held its second regular meeting during the month of September and primarily discussed issues related to construction projects and maintenance.
Roger Dahmer, county commissioner, opened with a prayer in which he shared, “Lord, thank you for your blessings.”
Karen Pitsenbarger, Pendleton County administrator, gave the maintenance report, which opened with “the parking lot at the community building has been paved,” but “a few minor things need to be dealt with.” She shared that the public questions whether the lot will be lined, including special designations for handicapped parking.
Rick Gillespie, Pendleton County emergency services coordinator, suggested that the commission at least line spaces adjacent to the sidewalk. He added that the reduced height of the curb may cause people to trip and suggested that it also be painted for improved visibility. Pitsenbarger said, “We can get all that done at the same time.”
She also related that concerns had been expressed about the electrical outlets in the community building “not being up to par.” Plugging two items in at the same time, in some cases, blew out the breaker. Pitsenbarger shared that she had previously researched the cost of replacing the affected outlets and described it as “astronomical.” She then mentioned that floor samples for the rescue squad had been dropped off for examination.
Gillespie also stated that he would like to see the installation of a gravel apron adjacent to the building for emergency coordination vehicles “so we don’t have to park them in the grass or the mud.” He estimated the cost of a gravel space to be between $1,500 and $2,200.
Pitsenbarger also passed on a request for a power washing of the community building in Riverton, adding that “we need to see who is interested in doing that.”
Next, she informed the commission that $30,000 in grant funding came through to purchase a metal detector for the Pendleton County courthouse. When delivered and installed, the courthouse will allow only a single entrance for public use.
Diana Mitchell from 911 reported that “Treasure Mountain Festival went well for us, which is always a relief.” Gillespie followed her and informed the commission that they should expect the cost of a contract with Motorola to increase going forward. This contract connects Pendleton County emergency communications with the state siren system. Pendleton is one of only a small number of counties that have joined with the state on this.
Gillespie noted that when the system was sold to the county, both the state and Motorola stated that they would continue to pay for certain features and other related costs. Now, the state has backed away from that commitment.
Gillespie said that the cost of “divorcing” from the state system would bring considerable costs and “we’d be paying some other vendor anyway.” Another option lay in “finding a law firm capable of taking on Motorola.” Carl Hevener, Pendleton County Commission president, suggested that the body table discussion of the new contract until April Mallow, Pendleton County prosecuting attorney, could examine it.
Next, Gillespie sought approval to use Title II funding to purchase rescue equipment. Title II funding exists to help the county purchase equipment that might be used in emergency situations within national forest lands. The equipment that he requested would help to facilitate the removal of injured people from rugged terrain. Each fire department, the PCER tactical team, and climbing school staff would receive the equipment.
Gillespie included the climbing school, because they are not only located near Seneca Rocks, they can often get to the injured more quickly. He stressed that equipment in their possession and use would remain county owned. The county commission approved up to $10,000 to purchase the equipment.
The commission then recognized Scott Somerville, speaking on behalf of the Friends of Beautiful Pendleton County. He opened with “last time, I got all excited and you all were very patient.” He then shared his thoughts on the creation of a county planning commission. Somerville related that precedent had been set for one with a similar body that had served late in the last century.
He also pointed out that public donations could defray any potential cost to the taxpayers.
Mallow, in her capacity as legal advisor to the county, shared information from the state code that, if a planning commission was formed, the county would have to find a way to provide an office, as well as space for storage of documents.
Finally, Morgan Basagic, chief tax deputy for Pendleton County, shared information from a recent state conference. A common problem under the law is that if the county receives a check for tax payment that is not the exact amount, the county must return the check and ask for a new one.
Basagic noted that “75 percent” of checks received are slightly over the assessed amount. He shared that many counties have gone to a “plus or minus discrepancy” system. Since the county cannot pass credits to the next tax bill, if the check is over the amount billed by $5 or less, the county distributes the overage. If under $5, the county simply “eats” the underage.
He stated that counties that have adopted this policy have seen reductions on outward bound mail. Hevener responded by saying, “I don’t want to cheat the taxpayer, but I don’t want to be cheated, either.” Dahmer said that with the rest of the commission’s agreement, that whether the law required it or not, that the county needed to publicly inform taxpayers if the policy was adopted.
Hevener suggested that the proposal be tabled until the next meeting so that commissioners could discuss it further.
