The Tyler County Commission met on Tuesday November 26, 2024, in the auditorium of the Senior Center in Middlebourne. Following was the approval of the minutes of the November 14, 2024 meeting and the Fiduciary Report from Deputy Clerk Amy Glover. There were no Exonerations.

The meeting began with a discussion led by Jenny Hoover regarding the Indian Creek water line extension. Jenny is seeking support from the commissioners for funding for the extension of the water line three to four miles up to the end of Indian Creek. She explained residents along this route are in desperate need of water, highlighted by the recent drought and several well pad fires. The situation has left many residents having to haul water for their daily needs and to water their animals. She said that there is no Federal funding currently available and the estimated cost to extend the line is roughly $2.5 million. Commission President Mike Smith told Jenny that the matter is still on the table with the Public Service District, and he would work to bring the issue to the forefront of the PSD. One of the limitations of the extension is a rock formation blocking the way. Mr. Smith said that engineers were working on a solution to this problem. He also suggested that Jenny make a presentation to the PSD explaining the urgency of the extension.

During the last Commission meeting THA Realty representative Adrianna Lindsey presented the commissioners with a price for the Dotson property that sits adjacent to the Courthouse for purchase. She presented the commissioners with a final contract for their signature with a closing date in December. Commissioners approved signing the contract. She then presented an offer for the commissioners to also purchase the Sinclair Property consisting of two lots that also sit beside the Courthouse for $60,000. Another piece of property, owned by the Todd family, sits between the Dotson property and the Sinclair property. The commissioners would like Adrianna to talk to the Todd family to find out their interest in selling the property. Commissioners tabled the Sinclair purchase until THA Realty gets more information from the Todd residence.

Tyler County EMS Director Logan Sailor asked for signatures on the application for a credit card with Union Bank. The authorized signers will be Logan Sailor and Ryan Kinney. Commissioners approved the request.

Next up, Chief Deputy Shannon Huffman approached the Commission with a second bid for the in car camera systems for 13 vehicles. The bid from AXON was for an annual cost of $31,939 for five years while the original bid from Digital Alley was for an annual cost of $23,244 also for five years. Although the AXON bid was higher there were many differences between the two companies regarding what they offered. Digital Ally was not able to hold information for more than 90 days without the purchase of additional equipment while AXON could store information indefinitely. Also, the AXON bid included installing the cameras while the Digital bid did not, therefore requiring another cost for installation. Commissioners approved the bid from AXON as they believed the costs for the additional equipment that would be needed if they went with Digital Ally was uncertain and could end up being higher than the AXON price.

Chief Deputy Huffman then read a resignation letter from Colten Travis resigning his position as a deputy in Tyler County. His reason for the resignation was the long commute from his home to Tyler County. Commissioners approved the resignation.

Commission President Mike Smith then asked for approval of a contract with the Tyler County Development Authority for the dedication of the remaining ARPA funds. Mr. Smith explained that a recent decision by the Treasury Department requires that all remaining funds either be spent or the work the funds are dedicated to begin by the end of December 2024. An option allowing the commissioners to avoid having to return the remaining funds was to contract with the TCDA. By moving the funds to the TCDA it will permit the Commission to maintain how the funds would be dispersed by the TCDA. Commissioners approved signing the contract with the TCDA pending legal review of the document.

The Commission approved the 2024 General Election Results Certification. The Commission also approved the date for the annual Courthouse employees Christmas dinner scheduled for December 10, 2024, at noon at the Middlebourne Methodist Church Friendship Center. They also approved a date change for December 24, 2024 commission meeting moving it to December 30, 2024.

Finally, Cork Bowen with the Paden City Development Authority asked for signatures on a letter of support for the on-going plans the Authority has for the Paden City Park and the camping areas, a total area in the park of roughly 26 acres. The money being used for the mediation of the camping sites and general improvements in the park is part of the $500,000 assessment agreement with Brownfield that the PCDA received several years ago. Since half of the park is in Tyler County the approval of the TC Commission is necessary for the PCDA to continue to move forward. Commissioners approved signing the approval letter.

Under Public Comment OEM Director Tom Cooper spoke on behalf of Community Resource Specialist Zoey Dotson, regarding the Esther Crumbley funding for Christmas baskets. Mr. Cooper stated that Zoey currently has 75 Tyler County households that would receive the baskets at a cost of $55.00 each for a total of $4.125. Commissioners approved the funding not to exceed $4,125.

Also under public comment, President Mike Smith announced that there will be a power outage scheduled for December 13, 2024 from Tyler Consolidated High School to the Fluharty Addition, Deep Valley, Wick, Bearsville, Meadville, Indiana Creek, Little, and Rt 23 to the county line. All customers affected will get a notification by phone. Those who are not affected will not receive a call.

Following the approval to pay the bills the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Tyler County Commission will be on December 10, 2024, in the auditorium of the Senior Center in Middlebourne.