In regular session on April 19, the Pendleton County Commission approved the levy rates for property taxes for fiscal year 2023. The levy is estimated to raise $2.3 million. The levy rate remains the same as the previous year.
Rick Gillespie, emergency services coordinator, reported that Shentel has certified as operational the new fiber lines at the Pendleton County Community Building and the 911 call center. Equipment for the project will be installed the week of April 26.
Amber Hedrick, administrator of the Pendleton County Health Department, informed the commission that the health department is no longer required to perform case investigation for COVID-19.
Hedrick also reported that the health department is currently scheduling persons for the second booster vaccine, and that the mobile testing unit has been scaled back to every other week instead of weekly. Hedrick noted that the last few times the testing unit was available, there were no requests for testing.
Tony Peer, Peer’s Sanitation, and Jack Bennett, North Fork Disposal, discussed with the Commission issues regarding residents who don’t pay for trash collection but set out their trash with paying customers. Peer stated that they are losing money as they have to pay by the ton at the landfill. Peer referred to West Virginia Code §22C-4-10, which stipulates that households must show receipts for trash service or prove they are paying for trash service elsewhere. McConnell agreed that there is a problem but that the Legislature would need to put in the code how to enforce the law and that the County is not authorized to take legal action. McConnell suggested contacting Delegates J. P. Hott and Bryan Ward to pursue the issue and said that the Commission will also send a letter of support. McConnell later confirmed that a letter of support has been sent to the delegates.
Commissioners approved mowing and trimming contracts. Dave Kile will continue to perform these services for the courthouse and the Pendleton County Community Building.
In a special session on April 23, the commission determined that benefits for current and new employees will remain unchanged for the fiscal year starting July 1. All commissioners agreed that the County currently is in a good position and that this subject needs to be reviewed annually.
