Commission hires new Drug Testing Services coordinator

Two actions at last Friday’s regular meeting of the Braxton County Commission resulted in the hiring of a new coordinator for the Braxton County Drug Testing Services program.
The first act, after President Lisa Godwin called the meeting to order, was to accept the resignation of Laura Wilson as coordinator of the program. In her letter, Wilson explained that she had completed certification to become a 9-1-1 dispatcher and was moving to a full-time position with that agency. She added that she had arranged her schedule to allow her to work on Thursdays and Fridays to train her replacement.
Later in the meeting, President Godwin explained that the Commission had received 5 applications for the position and had interviewed 4 of them. Commissioner Larry Clifton made a motion to hire Addi Facemire of Sutton to fill the vacancy. The action passed unanimously. The Commission President explained that Facemire would be paid $21,000 per year plus full county benfits, serve a 90-day probationary period and would begin her new position on December 27.
John Hoffman, OES/9-1-1/EMS Director was next to address the Commission. He presented monthly activity reports for Braxton Control and the Ambulance Service. Hoffman also requested permission to add three individuals to the EMS staff. On separate motions all three were approved. Amanda Gum and Laura Wilson were hired as part-time Emergency Vehicle Operators effective December 20. Wilson will be paid $12 per hour while Gum will receive $10.
Jaden Beall was hired as a full-time Emergency Vehicle Operator. His rate of pay will be $10 per with full county benefits. All three will serve a 90-day probationary period.
Hoffman also requested permission to upgrade the dispatch center’s CAD System through Motorola Solutions. He explained that the new system would cost $105,976.78. He added that his agency intended to finance $80,000 of the purchase and pay the balance. The request was approved on a motion by Larry Clifton.
In other action, the Commission approved the Short Form Settlements for the following as presented by the Fiduciary Supervisor: Karl K. Browning, Judith A. Demastus, Mary E. Jarvis, Zona Oleta Lough, Everett Rowan and John F. Thomas.
A motion by Larry Clifton approved the application for correction of erroneous assessments for David and Emmaline Belknap.
Deputy County Clerk Shelia Butler told the Commission that a change was needed to bring the county into compliance with near equal magisterial districts as required by State Code. She said the change was necessary due to the recently completed census. “While many counties in our state are struggling to make the necessary changes, our’s will be relatively easy,” Butler explained. She recommended that Precinct 24, which votes at Mark LeRose Ford, be changed from the Eastern District to the Western which will satisfy the necessary requirement. After hearing the explanation, Melvin Gum made a motion to authorize the change.
It was also Gum who made a motion to authorize the use of the county credit card to pay registration fees of $225 per individual and $129 per night lodging for the County Commissioners Association’s Legislative Conference on January 16, 17, and 18 at Embassy Suites in Charleston. Commission President Lisa Godwin stated that her registration fee would be covered by the Association since she services on the state board.
Larry Clifton introduced action to close the Courthouse offices at Noon on December 23 and 30 in addition to the regular holiday schedule as authorized by the Governor.
It was also Clifton who made the motion to approve a contract with Global Science & Technology, Inc. to provide comprehensive computer and network support for the county. Those services will cost $1,060 per month or $12,720 per year.
The Commission tabled action on an agreement with DataMax for collection services of delinquent personal property taxes pending additional information.
The Commission reviewed and approved a Melvin Gum motion to enter into a contract with Johnson Controls for inspections and maintenance of fire suppression system at the Courthouse. The cost of the services will be $2,980.
The Commission took action to set a hearing for March 18 at 10:30 a.m. to hear an objection to the final settlement in the estate of Austin Robert Hardesty.
The final acts of the short session were separate motions to approve the County and EMS bills for payment and the minutes of the Commission’s December 3 meeting.
Being no further business the Commission’s final meeting of 2021 concluded at 9:33 a.m. The next regular meeting of the Braxton County Commission will be on January 7 beginning at 9:00 a.m.