By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
For twenty – one years, the Tucker County Commission has proclaimed April as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month and 2019 is no different. In addition to signing this resolution and sporting the pinwheels throughout the county, they also read a resolution and signed the proclamation to add Sexual Assault Awareness to the month of April. April Miller and Angie Davis from the Family Resource Network, and Donna Helmick representing the Women Aid in Crisis Center were all present to thank the commissioners for their continued support on raising awareness for these causes.
County Commission President Lowell Moore opened the meeting with a word of prayer and The Pledge of Allegiance followed by approval of the previous meeting minutes. There was no elected official’s reports and only Brett Ware, 911 Director had a little to share with the commissioners. A Mass Communication System has been in the works in conjunction with OEM Director Kevin White. “We are coming into flood season, so we’re hoping that we don’t have to utilize it but it will be in place in case anything would happen.” They are in the process of getting a project manager assigned to the phone system project and Ware hopes to have more on that for the next meeting.
County board appointments were next on the short agenda. The first was to reappoint Mike Betler on the Tucker County Parks and Recreation Board for three years which was approved. A 911 Advisory Board is being established with hopes of a seven to nine person board. Applications received to date to serve were as follows: one year term Robert Stump and Kevin White, two year term Sheila Marsh, and three year term Steven Sponaugle and Guy DeWeese. Intentions are to recruit two more individuals to serve two year terms with effective date beginning April 1.
Under new business, County Clerk Sherry Simmons elaborated on the preliminary budget. “We are ready to submit our preliminary budget tomorrow to the state auditor’s office, final approval of the budget will come in the month of July,” she said. The Advance Communications Service Agreement, which has been the same for the last several years, has undergone no changes and was approved to continue.
Item number six was that of the transfer tax for a motion to place an ad in the paper alerting citizens to the minor changes. The purpose of this tax is to raise the property transfer tax by $1.10 per thousand when property is transferred on deeds. According to Simmons, the last increase the county ever had was in 1968, and again this will only affect the seller if they transfer property.
Also to consider was the appointment of Dennis Filler as a Litter Control Agent, Commissioner Fred Davis saying, “I make a motion we hire him, he’s well needed.” Moore said, “We are also working on a litter control ordinance but that’s further down the road. He cannot operate under state code until we get that done,” Moore added. Attached was a resolution for a litter control grant that was also passed unanimously.
There were three erroneous assessments that were approved as well as payments. Moore gave a report stating he and Filler has been working on potential updates on the EMS ordinance. He also stated, “As a commission, I want to offer our condolences to Paula McDonald for the loss of her brother this week.”
Commissioner Patrick Darlington stated there’s been some progress on the building at Camp Kidd since last meeting. It now has gravel in place with preparations for concrete and he added there’s a potential business going into the Industrial Park. Davis stated progress is continuing with the landfill recycling facility and will be in operation really soon.
This concluded the business for the meeting and the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting for the Tucker County Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10 at 9 a.m. at the Tucker County Courthouse.
