The Tyler County Commission voted unanimously to approve the donation of a 2001 Crown Victoria police cruiser to the Sistersville Police Department. The decision came in light of allocated monies for the county’s fleet through various grants. “Because of the funding we have received through Congressman Mollohan’s office, the department’s fleet is better than ever,” said Sheriff Clay Hupp. “We need to share our good fortune with other agencies.”

Serving as E911 Director, Hupp also approached the commission to discuss the construction of a fence around the perimeter of the new Klondike communications tower.

According to the proposal from Ebert Enterprises in New Martinsville, the cost for the installation of the eight foot fence will be $9658.99.

In related news, the County Commission approved a wage increase for the E911 dispatchers in Tyler County. The $.67 her hour raise will take effect on July 1 and will be in addition to a 5 percent raise approved with the budget earlier in the year. The wage increase is competitive with the salaries in surrounding counties. Commission President, Robert D. “Bob” Wable commented, “We need to keep our dispatchers. They do a very good job.”

In accordance with West Virginia code, Tyler County Clerk Lora Thomas conducted a public test of the iVotronic voting system to be used in the upcoming Primary Election on May 13. Members of the courthouse staff voted on the electronic equipment to prove that the media and the ballots were functional. The mock-votes were then input into the Election Reporting Manager Software to simulate the tabulation process. At the completion of the test all media and databases were cleared.

Between elections, the voting equipment is stored under lock and key in the courthouse. After the iVotronics are programmed, they are kept in a room secured by four padlocks. The keys are kept by the county clerk and the three commissioners.

Dana Indermuhle and William Brake of Swiss Valley Associates, Inc. out of Sardis, Ohio, presented the findings of their audit of the lighting in the courthouse. Indermuhle told the commission about the incentives of energy conservation that come from upgrading fluorescent fixtures throughout the complex. According to the company’s report, upgrading now could potentially save the county over $1,100 in electrical usage each year - meaning that the project would pay for itself over a period of six years.

Brake and Indermuhle will be contacting Tim Meeks, Tyler County’s grant coordinator, to discuss the possibility of applying for grants that would cover some of the costs involved in the project.

The next meeting of the commission will be held at 9:00 a.m. on May 27 in the commission chambers.