By Stephen Smoot
“We just thank You and praise you this morning,” Roger Dahmer, Pendleton County commissioner, shared in his customary invocation.
After hearing from representatives from Hardy County about the impending opening of a dialysis center, Pendleton County commissioners and Rick Gillespie, Pendleton County Emergency Services coordinator, discussed the new county building in Franklin.
Discussions included the preferred wall surface, and that electric and sheetrock work will soon begin. Also, some of the offices, such as emergency management, have started taking shape. Gillespie noted that the commission may want to place portable heaters in strategic locations until the installation of HVAC, worried about dropping temperatures and the possibility of freezing water infrastructure.
“Winter is here,” he shared, noting low temperatures and high winds creating winter conditions on Hunting Ground.
Gillespie also noted that the commission’s timely actions in holding public hearings for the 911 fee increase had allowed plenty of time to work with carriers to change billing.
Fees have not increased since the establishment of 911 in the 1990s. Residential will rise from $2.50 to $5.00 a month while businesses will see rates go up from $8.00 to $12.00. Carl Hevener, commission president, shared that they had examined similar increases and tried to hit a similar target.
Karen Pitsenbarger in the maintenance report stated that the Pendleton County Library needed two blowers for their HVAC at a cost of $1,346. The Pendleton County Commission had previously committed to help with such issues. Concerning the construction of the courthouse annex, “Things are going well,” she reported
Commissioners then signed a memorandum of understanding with the Town of Franklin concerning following state law and synchronizing elections. A week later, the Town of Franklin was scheduled to hold its first reading of the enabling ordinance.
The town will cover the cost of its portion of the election. Commissioners agreed that all ballots should go to the courthouse for counting for purposes of security.
