Brooke County commissioners approve routine fiscal measures, EMS pay distribution and library appointment

Brooke County commissioners met in adjourned session at the courthouse on May 7, 2024, and approved a series of routine fiscal and administrative actions, including an EMS salary enhancement distribution and several support letters and appointments. President Andrew J. Thomas, Commissioner Stacey Wise and Commissioner Thomas R. Diserio were listed as present; County Clerk Kimberly M. Barbetta recorded the minutes.

The meeting opened at 10:30 a.m. and began with distribution of correspondence. Commissioner Stacey Wise moved to approve the minutes from the April 30, 2024 meeting; Commissioner Thomas R. Diserio seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The Commission considered fiduciary items handled by the clerk during the Commission’s absence. President Andrew J. Thomas abstained and left the room before the Commission acted on those items. Commissioner Stacey Wise moved, Commissioner Thomas R. Diserio seconded, and the Commission approved a petition to remove the executrix and the request to appoint a new executor in the Morris Bleau estate; Thomas abstained from that vote.

The Commission approved a $7,500 direct payment to a vendor for ESI equipment requested by the Follansbee Volunteer Fire Department (forcible-entry tools x3). Commissioner Stacey Wise moved and President Andrew J. Thomas seconded; Commissioner Thomas R. Diserio abstained and left the room for that item.

Commissioners approved two support letters for Empire Diversified Energy, Inc. (for PIDP and MPDG grant funding). Commissioner Stacey Wise moved and Commissioner Thomas R. Diserio seconded; President Thomas abstained and left the room for that vote.

The Commission authorized in-house budget transfers for the County Clerk ($7,530.96) and Elections ($6,828.18) after a motion from Commissioner Diserio and a second from Commissioner Wise; those transfers passed unanimously.

The Commission also approved a support letter prepared by the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Regional planning entity (BHJ) for the City of Wellsburg water project. Commissioner Wise noted that two county public service districts buy water from Wellsburg and stated the Commission would not write other county water-project support letters this year in an effort to favor Wellsburg’s application.

On appointments, the Commission approved the Brooke County Libraries’ recommendation to appoint Jon Smith to the board to fill the seat vacated by Linda Amos; the term will run July 1, 2024, through 2029.

The Commission approved the first distribution of EMS salary enhancements totaling $63,084.45, covering Oct. 1, 2023–April 30, 2024, calculated on hours worked by 28 full- and part-time EMS employees; the record notes that administration staff do not receive the enhancement.

The meeting record shows the Commission accepted a bid from Southwest Solutions Group, Inc. for library shelving in the amount of $21,150.55; the County Clerk was directed to notify the vendor. The clerk also reported approval of invoices and vouchers and ordered checks across multiple funds, including checks for the General County Fund (checks 30595–30615 totaling $176,392.20) and payments from E-911 Communications, Ambulance, Shelter Levy, Valuation and Judicial Annex funds. A dog fund check for $65.00 was also approved.

The Commission rescheduled the May 14 meeting to May 16 at 10:30 a.m. and noted that public testing of election equipment will be held downstairs on Election Day immediately after adjournment. With no further business, Commissioner Stacey Wise moved to adjourn and the Commission voted to adjourn. The minutes were signed by President Andrew J. Thomas and attested by County Clerk Kimberly M. Barbetta.

Next procedural steps: the Commission will meet next on May 16, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.; the clerk will file the distributed correspondence and notify the accepted vendors and appointees as recorded.