COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2005

 

PRESENT:                 ROBERT L. BAILEY, PRESIDENT

                                    NANCY CARTMILL, COMMISSIONER

                                    W. SCOTT BIAS, COMMISSIONER

                                    WILLIAM T. WATSON, COUNTY ATTORNEY

                                    GLENN WHITE, COUNTY MANAGER

                                    SHARON ROSS, ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGER

                                    FOR BILLABLES AND PAYABLES

 

Robert L. Bailey, President, called the regular scheduled meeting of the Cabell County Commission to order at 10:00 a.m.

 

APPROVE:

 

Glenn White, County Manager, informed the Commission that he received word from Tom Craig, the Attorney for Cabell Huntington Hospital, requesting an item be placed on the agenda regarding discounted outpatient drug purchases and that due to the deadline of March 1, 2005 for submission of this form by the hospital, the item should be considered an emergency.

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, moved to amend the agenda to include the item for Cabell Huntington Hospital.  Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, moved to approve the agenda as amended.  W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, moved to approve purchase orders #4093 Y through #4372 Y and pay jackets.  Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, moved to approve the minutes from the February 10, 2005 regular Commission meeting, minutes of the Board of Equalization for 2005, erroneous assessments, land consolidations, split tickets and probate documentation.  W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, moved to approve handwritten checks to Mountain State Blue Cross and Blue Shield, not to exceed $100,000.00, from the Cabell County Medical Insurance Fund.  Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

DISCUSSION:           FINANCIAL MATTERS IMPACTING THE CABELL

                                    COUNTY BUDGET

 

Glenn White, County Manager, gave an update on the financial situation of the county and what the impact of the Regional Jail would have on the county’s finances.

 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2005

PAGE TWO

 

 Mr. White stated that while preparing the 2005-2006 budget, he did a considerable amount of projecting and the revenue estimates for the current year looked good, however, in comparison with the county’s appropriations the budget was inadequate. 

 

Mr. White stated that based on the estimates provided and to keep a minimum cash balance to maintain cash flow, until property taxes are received July 1, 2005, there would need to be a 22.1% reduction in the 2004-2005 budget in order to provided funding to pay the Regional Jail bill.

 

Robert L. Bailey, President, stated that the estimated jail bill would be 3.5 to 4.0 million dollars, if there were no increases in the daily fees for housing the prisoners. Mr. White stated he estimated the jail bill to be approximately 3.4 million dollars.

 

There was a discussion on having special meeting with the office holders regarding a budget reduction.

 

William Watson, County Attorney, suggested giving the office holders sufficient time to place in writing how the budget cuts would affect their office in maintaining their constitutional duties. 

 

Ottie Adkins, Assessor, asked the Commission what budgets could not be cut.

 

Glenn White, County Manager, stated that the Park Board and the Library funding could not be cut because of a special act of the legislature.  Mr. White went on to say that other major budgets that could not be cut were Federal and State Grants, Regional Jail, Service of Process, 4-H Camp and other areas funded from the Hotel Occupancy Tax.

 

Mr. Adkins also asked if the 22.1% cut included the Commission Office and he was informed that it would include the Commission budget.

 

Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, moved to approve a special meeting for Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., to consider amending the current 2004-2005 budget.  W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, moved that at the Special Meeting, scheduled for March 2, 2005, that only this one item be discussed.  W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

DISCUSSION:           COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS

 

Glenn White, County Manager, informed the Commission that April 1, 2005 was the deadline to submit an application for the Community Corrections Grant.  Mr. White stated that at one time the courts had thought about applying for this grant, however, they had decided not to pursue the grant application and now it would the decision of the County Commission to apply for the grant.

 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2005

PAGE THREE

 

Kim Wolfe, Sheriff, stated that they had discussed a possible work release program where prisoners were sentenced to community service under the Sheriff and a Day Reporting Center had also been discussed.

 

Sheriff Wolfe stated he had discussed with the Prosecutor that one way to cut costs would be to develop a Deputy Reserve Program where the Deputy Reserves would have administrative custody of the prisoners.  Sheriff Wolfe further stated this program would take the cooperation of the Commission, the Courts, Magistrates and the Judges in order for this to work.

 

Robert L. Bailey, President, asked if counseling would be needed with this program.  Sheriff Wolfe said grant money could be used if counseling had to be part of the program.

 

Chris Chiles, County Prosecutor, urged the Commission to look at both the Day Reporting Center and a Work Release Program.

 

Robert L. Bailey, President, told Mr. Chiles and Sheriff Wolfe that if they could assure him there would be no cost to the county, he would approve applying for this grant.  President Bailey went on to say the Commission could furnish a place to have the program, however, the county would not have money for counselors or money to hire employees because of budget restraints.

 

Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, stated she had spoken with Commissioners from other counties about a Day Reporting Center and other programs the counties were involved with and they had informed her it had not saved the counties any money on their jail bill. 

 

Mr. Chiles stated he believed, with the information he has received, the counties had saved some money.

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, stated he would like to go on record to say the Commission did not create this regional jail mess, the counties were sold a bill of goods that the regional jails would over-all save the counties a lot of money, however, it has doubled the cost to all the counties.  Commissioner Bias further stated the counties should not be required to fix the mess.  Commissioner Bias went on to say the Legislature should fix it and the State Department of Corrections should be responsible for the rehabilitation of the prisoners.  Commissioner Bias said the Legislature has done nothing to help the counties with the financial problems they created, however, he would do whatever he could to fix the problems created by the Legislature.

 

Robert L. Bailey, President, told Mr. Chiles and Sheriff Wolfe to get a proposal together on a grant application that would not cost the county any money and bring it before the Commission for consideration.

 

Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, stated she had a real problem with using volunteer civilians to oversee a Work Release Program, when trained civilians were not allowed to man the holding cells.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2005

PAGE FOUR

 

Mr. Chiles stated he thought Wayne County had one employee and a van for the work release but there were different ways the county could go about implementing programs.

 

#069                            CABELL HUNTINGTON HOSPITAL

 

                                    RE:  CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTATION

 

Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, moved to approve authorization for the President to sign documentation for certification for discounted outpatient drug purchases for Cabell Huntington Hospital.  W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

#054                            AWARD OF CONTRACT

 

                                    RE:  TWELVE (12) HANDHELD ENCRYPTION RADIOS AND

                                             ONE MULTIPORT CHARGER FOR CABELL COUNTY

                                             SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, moved to award the bid for twelve handheld radios to the low bidder, Communication Service Inc., for a total of $39,951.00, with funds from the Homeland Security Grant.  Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

#055                            LETTER, KIM WOLFE, SHERIFF

 

                                    RE:  PURCHASE OF IN-CAR VIDEO SYSTEMS, ON STATE

                                             CONTRACT, FROM HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, moved to approve the purchase of in-car video systems on state contract for a total of $35,978.00.  Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

Glenn White, County Manager, stated that since the purchase of this equipment was on state contract, the Commission was not required to take bids.  Mr. White further stated the funds for this purchase would be from the Homeland Security Grant.

 

#056                            RESOLUTION, CABELL COUNTY COMMISSION

 

                                    RE:  GRANT APPLICATION-VICTIM ASSISTANCE

                                             PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

                                             FISCAL YEAR 2005/2006

 

Connie Gray, Administrator for Grants, Planning and Permits, explained this was a continuation of a grant application that was in its fifteenth year.  Mrs. Gray went on to say this grant funds the employment of three full-time Victim Advocates for the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for a total of $82,820.00.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2005

PAGE FIVE

 

Glenn White, County Manager, stated the cost for the county would be approximately $60,00.00 plus FICA, PERS and Medical Insurance for the three employees.

 

Robert L. Bailey, President, said he would like for County Prosecutor, Chris Chiles, to come back to the meeting to answer questions before the Commission voted on this item.

 

#057                            NOTICE OF HEARING AND PETITION

 

                                    RE:  ESTATE OF MARGARET WARD

 

Paul Cooley, III, Representative for the Bureau for Child Support Enforcement, appeared before the Commission requesting the Sheriff be appointed Administrator of the Estate of Margaret Ward.

 

William Watson, County Attorney, stated this petition would allow the Sheriff to disburse funds for the children of Margaret Ward and he would recommend the Commission approve the petition to be filed.        

 

Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, moved to approve the signing of a petition appointing the Sheriff of Cabell County, as the Administrator for the Estate of Margaret Ward.  W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

Tom Bell, Chief Tax Deputy, asked why the Sheriff was not notified of this hearing. Mr. Cooley said he thought a prior order had been sent to the Sheriff and he was sorry he had not notified the Sheriff of the hearing today.

 

William Watson, County Attorney, stated this was a mandatory statue of which the Sheriff could not refuse, however, it would be apporiate for the Sheriff to be notified of the hearings.

 

Mr. Bell stated this was another thing the Sheriff’s Office had to administer without the funds to do so.  Mr. Colley stated that West Virginia law provides that the administrator could receive 5% of the estate.

 

At this time Chris Chiles, Prosecuting Attorney, returned to the meeting and discussed item #056 with the Commission.

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, moved to approve a grant application for Victim Assistance, in the amount of $82,820.00 for the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.  Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.  Exhibit (A)

 

#058                            LETTER, CABELL COUNTY COMMISSION

 

                                    RE:  SAFETY AND TRAFFIC ISSUES ON WEST VIRGINIA

                                             STATE ROUTE 2

 

 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2005

PAGE SIX

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, stated this letter was requesting the West Virginia Department of Transportation stripe 7.5 miles of roadway to make it four lanes on Route 2.  Commissioner Bias further stated he believed it would eliminate some of the accidents on that portion of roadway.

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, moved to approve sending a letter to the West Virginia Department of Transportation requesting the striping of 7.5 miles on Route 2.  Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. 

 

#059                            RESOLUTION, CABELL COUNTY COMMISSION

 

                                    RE:  SMOKING IN OR AROUND THE COURTHOUSE 

 

Glenn White, County Manager, stated the Cabell County Health Department had in effect a “No Smoking” area within ten feet of a public entrance and this resolution would extend the “No Smoking” area within fifty feet of all public entrances to the Courthouse. 

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, moved to adopted the resolution extending the “No Smoking” in and around the public entrances of the Courthouse to within fifty feet.  Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.  Exhibit (B)

 

#060                            TABLED UNTIL THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING

 

#061                            RESOLUTION, CABELL COUNTY COMMISSION

 

                                    RE:  APPOINTMENT

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, moved to approve the appointment of Larry Patterson as a member of the Cabell-Huntington-Wayne Home Investment Trust Advisory Board, for a term beginning February 25, 2005, and ending at the discretion of the Cabell County Commission.  Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.  Exhibit (C)

 

#062                            RESOLUTION, CABELL COUNTY COMMISSION

 

                                    REAPPOINTMENT  

 

Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, moved to approve the reappointment of Bernard Queen as a member of the Board of the Tri-State Transit Authority, for a three-year term, beginning February 26, 2005 and ending February 25, 2008.  W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.  Exhibit (D)

 

 

 

 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2005

PAGE SEVEN

 

#063                            RESOLUTIONS, CABELL COUNTY COMMISSION

 

                                    RE:  EMPLOYMENT 

 

Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, moved to approve the employment of Kimberly Ransbottom and Melissa D. Dawson, as full-time temporary telecommunicator dispatchers with CCERC, effective March 16, 2005, with a rate of pay of $8.92 per hour.  W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

#064                            RESOLUTION, CABELL COUNTY COMMISSION

 

                                    RE:  RECLASSIFICATION

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, moved to approve the reclassification of Darrell G. Ennis, from a per diem EMT to a per diem paramedic, effective February 25, 2005, with a rate of pay of $7.11 per hour.  Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. 

 

#065                            LETTER, CABELL COUNTY COMMISSION

 

                                    RE:  AUTHORIZE THE PRESIDENT OF THE CABELL

                                            COUNTY COMMISSION TO SIGN A POWER OF

                                            ATTORNEY ALLOWING GRANGE INSURANCE

                                            COMPANY TO SETTLE THE PROPERTY DAMAGE

                                            CLAIM FOR A 1995 FORD CVP 

 

Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, moved to approve authorization for the President to sign a power of attorney allowing Grange Insurance Company to settle the property damage on a 1995 Ford CVP, Vin #2FALP71W1SX161939.  W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

#066                            PRODUCT AND SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH HTE VAR

FOR INSTALLATION OF AN IBM E-SERVER I-SERIES I5         MODEL 9406-520 AND MIGRATION SERVICES FOR

                                    CABELL COUNTY EMERGENCY RESPONSE CENTER

 

Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, moved to approve the product and services agreements with HTE VAR for the Cabell County Emergency Response Center.  W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

#067                            RESOLUTION, CABELL COUNTY COMMISSION

 

                                    RE:  IN THE MATTER OF THE CABELL COUNTY

                                             COMMISSION SITTING AS A BOARD OF

                                             EQUALIZATION AND REVIEW-JANUARY 31, 2005-     

                                             FEBRUARY 17, 2005

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2005

PAGE EIGHT

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, moved to adopt the resolution of the Cabell County Commission sitting as a Board of Equalization and Review, from January 31, 2005 to February 17, 2005.  Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.  Exhibit (E)

 

 

#068                            DISCUSSION REGARDING DATA PROCESSING

                                    PERSONNEL AND CONTRACTOR STAFFING ISSUES

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, moved to go into executive session to discuss personnel.  Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

The Commission recessed the meeting at 11:11 a.m.

 

The Commission reconvened the regular session at 11:56 a.m., with no action taken.

 

PLACE ON RECORD:

 

W. Scott Bias, Commissioner, moved to place on record the minutes from the Cabell-Huntington Convention & Visitors Bureau, Board of Directors Meeting, October 27, 2004; Culloden Public Service District, Special Meeting, December 28, 2004, Culloden Public Service District, Special Meeting, January 5, 2005, Culloden Public Service District, Regular Meeting, January 19, 2005; Salt Rock Water Public Service District, Regular Meeting, January 11, 2005; Tri-state Airport Authority, Regular Meeting, December 16, 2004 and Other Documentation to be Recorded: Cabell-Huntington Health Department, Environmental Health, Combined Narrative, Monthly Clinic Report, Flu Clinic, Children’s Dental Education Report, November, 2004, Cabell-Huntington Health Department, Environmental Health, Combined Narrative, Monthly Clinic Report, Children’s Dental Education Report, December, 2004; Huntington-Cabell-Wayne Animal Control Shelter, Monthly Report, January, 2005; Branch Banking and Trust Company, Lease Revenue Bonds, (WV American Water Company Project) and the Bank of New York, Various Trust Account Statements, January 31, 2005.  Nancy Cartmill, Commissioner, seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

 

Robert L. Bailey, President, adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m., until the next regular scheduled meeting on March 10, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.        

 

 

 

                                                                        _______________________________________

                                                                           PRESIDENT, COUNTY COMMISSION

 

 

 

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