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Tyler County Commission Approves Spending for Security Software, Paving And More

By Shelley Hanson - Staff Writer | Jul 24, 2024

(Photo by Shelley Hanson) Tyler County Commission members President Mike Smith, Vice President Eric Vincent and Lance Hickman chat after a regular meeting on July 16.

MIDDLEBOURNE – The Tyler County Commission approved a few appropriations during its regular meeting July 16 including purchasing new rubber mulch for a monument, security software for computers and money to help cover a portion of a non-profit’s payroll.

The commissioners – President Mike Smith, Vice President Eric Vincent and Lance Hickman – met in the auditorium of the senior center as renovation work continues on the county courthouse.

Commissioners unanimously approved spending $6,000 to help cover the pay for a Tyler County Family Resource Network’s employee’s salary. FRN board member Tom Cooper said the employee’s wages have been falling behind because of delays in payment from the state. He also noted the employee will often forgo being paid until after all expenditures for the FRN are covered. The employee, he added, often works beyond her regular part-time hours to keep the non-profit’s many programs running, including feeding children during the summer and the back to school event.

“She’s paid 52 hours every two weeks. I’d like for her to be paid 40 hours at the same rate,” Cooper said. “The rate is $20 per hour. … She’s definitely working 40 hours per week.”

Commissioners decided to make the appropriation now and then decide on a better plan to address the situation in the coming days.

In other matters, commissioners approved hiring Kelly Paving to repave the driveway to the 911 Center at a cost of $35,000.

Also approved was funding for rubber mulch to be placed around the Tyler County memorial monument. The mulch was requested by Kathy Seago, who received a bid for regular mulch and Preen at a cost of $400; however, the commission decided rubber mulch would be better and longer lasting. Seago said the landscaper could have the work done in time for the Tyler County Fair.

Commissioners also approved $3,607 for three years of firewall protection for computers with SonicWall.