One of the first to speak to the Braxton County Commission at their regular meeting last Friday, April 4 was Andrew Smith, Executive Director of the BC Convention and Business Breau (CVB). Smith presented the body with an 11-page report detailing the activities of his organization for the previous year as well as projections for the upcoming one. He explained how the CVB marketed the county and the many events they helped sponsor to bring visitors to the area.
Smith’s report contained a marketing plan for 2025 and a budget for the coming year. The report is required by state code since the primary funding source for the CVB is a portion of the county collected Hotel/Motel tax. That tax amounted to $91, 431.23 of the CVB’s $210,748.83 income for the period.
Commission President Lisa Godwin thanked Smith for the update.
Sheri Garren, Administrative Assistant for Braxton EMS, requested that Bryce Baird be hired as a part-time EMT effective April 4 at a payrate of $15.50 per hour with no county benefits. That request was approved as was approval to aid the ambulance service financially during the month of April if needed. The representative also discussed billing issues with the Commission.
Tyler Long, 9-1-1 Director, presented the Commission with his agency’s activity report for the month of March and requested permission to hire two part-time employee trainees. Jacqueline Chewning and Kaci Mullins will be paid $12.00 per hour with no county benefits. They will begin April 7 following a pre-employment background check and drug screening.
Sheriff Eddie Williams voiced his opinion that he sill wasn’t happy with the restrictions placed on his spending of home confinement money and would like to discuss it further with the State Auditor’s Office. He also said he had discussed his department receiving a portion of the Opioid Settlement funds, received by the county, with Judge Jasmine Morton and she favored the move. Sheriff Williams added that he had discussed the matter with the Webster County Sheriff and his department had received 47% of the funds awarded to that county.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Commission President Lisa Godwin requested an executive session to discuss a sheriff’s department employee’s request to borrow hours from the sick leave bank. In addition to the Commission and County Clerk Sue Rutherford, Sheriff Williams, Deputy Luke Johnson, Prosecuting Attorney Dwayne Vandevender and 9-1-1 Director Tyler Long stayed for the nearly hour-long closed-door session.
Even though, apparently more than one topic was discussed, which is contrary to state code, the only motion made when the meeting resumed in open session was to allow Jason King to borrow time from the sick leave bank.
In other action, the probate appointments for the month of March were approved as presented by the County Clerk.
A motion by Larry Clifton led to the approval of applications for correction of erroneous assessments for Julia Foster and Jason Meadows.
Anthony Moles was granted permission to consolidate contiguous tracts of land for tax purposes.
A single purchase order came before the Commission. Central Square will be paid $6,435.40 for management service fees, technical services and 9-1-1 system hardware for the 9-1-1 center.
The county approved the use of the P-Card to pay for room reservations at Stonewall Resort for the County Commissioner’s Association of West Virgina Annual Conference June 8-10. Rooms are $195 per night.
The Commission reviewed and paid the county P-Card and EMS bill. A separate motion led to the approval of minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of March 21 and Special Meeting of March 24.
The meeting adjourned at 10:32 a.m. The next regular meeting of the Braxton County Commission will be held on April 18 at 9:00 a.m.