Brooke County Commission approves $200,000 ARPA award for animal shelter, OKs VFD reimbursements and vehicle purchase

The Brooke County Commission on Dec. 30 approved a $200,000 American Rescue Plan Act project recommendation to support the Brooke County Animal Shelter and unanimously authorized multiple public-safety and administrative expenditures.

Commissioner Thomas presided. Commissioner Thomas R. Diserio moved to approve the Dec. 17 minutes and then moved the measures described below; Commissioner Stacey Wise seconded each motion and the votes were recorded as unanimous unless noted.

The commission approved ARPA Project #13, a $200,000 allocation described as for sewage treatment related to the Brooke County Animal Shelter, including a support letter, application and a tentative budget. The vote to approve the ARPA recommendation passed without dissent.

Separately, the board approved disbursements from the All-County Fire Protection Fund. The commission authorized a $7,825.72 direct payment to Franklin Community Volunteer Fire Department to purchase personal protective equipment. It also approved $4,270.72 in total reimbursement to Bethany Volunteer Fire Department (including a $68.50 remainder from a prior allocation).

The commission approved a purchase agreement to acquire a 2015 Ford F-250 from Bethany VFD for $80,000. According to the agreement language recorded in the minutes, $30,000 of the balance will be forgiven from a prior Bethany VFD lease agreement tied to a 2006 Chevrolet/Horton ambulance and related equipment dated July 25, 2017.

The board approved a Basic Ordering Agreement with Global Science for courthouse network support, administration and consulting at $1,550 per month, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

The commission also approved appointing a Fiduciary Commissioner / Special Fiduciary Commissioner in the matter of the Estate of Morris Bleau; Commissioner Andrew J. Thomas recused himself and left the room for that discussion and vote, which carried.

Administrative items approved included certified property-compliance letters sent to 2456 Eldersville Road (Follansbee) and 375 Bethany Pike (Wellsburg), scheduling the Board of Equalization hearing for Feb. 4, 2025, and listing courthouse closures for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Invoices and vouchers were approved and checks ordered for multiple funds, including a General County Fund check listing totaling $249,015.54 among the items recorded in the minutes.

One procurement matter was tabled: the commission voted to table an ERB Electric Company proposal for a cell dialer at the Judicial Annex (installed cost $736 with a $35 monthly monitoring charge billed annually). Minutes note commissioners questioned the monthly monitoring fee; the item was left for further review.

The meeting closed after routine correspondence and a motion to adjourn by Commissioner Stacey (Hukill) Wise. The commission extended condolences to the family of Julie Barnhart, noting her community involvement. The Board of Equalization hearing is scheduled for Feb. 4, 2025.