Tyler County commissioners approved hiring Sonjia Cline to work in the county clerk's office.

The Tyler County Commission convened for its regular session on Tuesday, July 8, in the auditorium of the Senior Center in Middlebourne. The meeting began with the approval of the minutes from the June 24 session, along with the Fiduciary Report presented by County Clerk Neil A. Archer II and Exonerations submitted by Assessor Lisa Jackson.

One of the key items on the agenda was a staffing request from the county’s emergency services. Assistant E911 Director J.P. Slider appeared before the commission to seek approval for the hiring of a new dispatcher. The commission unanimously approved the hiring of Hannah Wells, who is scheduled to begin work on July 14, 2025.

Josh Barker, Director of Substance Abuse Prevention and Outreach Advisor to the West Virginia Attorney General, addressed the pressing need for a Substance Abuse Coalition and Quick Response Team (QRT) in Tyler County. Speaking candidly as a person in recovery, Barker, from Boone County, emphasized the life-saving impact such teams can have — even stating that without a QRT, he may not be alive today. QRTs are multidisciplinary teams that typically include law enforcement, medical professionals, and mental health specialists who follow up with individuals who have experienced drug overdoses. Their goal is to provide immediate support, connect individuals to treatment resources, and reduce the likelihood of repeated overdoses.

Barker revealed that he has been in discussions with Westbrook Health Services, an organization out of Parkersburg that currently operates an established QRT in other parts of the state. According to Barker, Westbrook has expressed interest in working in partnership with Tyler County to help set up a similar program locally. “This is a much-needed step for our community,” Barker said, encouraging local leaders to prioritize the initiative. The potential collaboration with Westbrook Health Services marks a hopeful development in the county’s ongoing response to the opioid and substance use crisis. Local officials are expected to explore funding, logistics, and inter-agency coordination in the coming weeks to bring the project to fruition.

Michelle Rosenlieb, a representative of the Gabriel Project, addressed the county commissioners to advocate for funding for the long-standing nonprofit, which serves families in need across Wetzel, Tyler, and Monroe counties. Rosenlieb highlighted the organization’s 27-year legacy, emphasizing that the Gabriel Project operates solely based on need and is entirely funded through community donations. She noted that in Tyler County alone, the group is currently assisting 54 families. Last year, volunteers contributed more than 1,600 hours to help families in our region.

The Gabriel Project provides essential items such as car seats, cribs, pack-and-plays, and diapers to local families, including foster and kinship care families. In the past year, the organization distributed over 820 diapers, among other items. “All of the supplies we provide are purchased directly by our organization and then distributed to the families we serve,” Rosenlieb explained.

The organization is now seeking $10,000 in additional funding to sustain and expand its services. However, the commissioners opted to table the request for the time being. They plan to meet with Rosenlieb and conduct further research before making a final decision.

President Eric Vincent presented several key items for approval, all of which were unanimously passed by the commissioners. First, the Commission approved a contract with Claytor Enterprises for the preparation of the 2024-2025 financial statement. The agreement, valued at $3,500, ensures timely and professional reporting of the county’s financial activities. Next, commissioners approved an easement and right-of-way request from Mountaineer Gas Company for property located behind the courthouse. The easement will allow the utility company to carry out necessary infrastructure work while maintaining access to public property. Finally, the Commission approved the conversion of existing certificates of deposit (CDs) into 13-week CDARS at Union Bank. This move affects accounts in the General County Fund, the Rainy Day Fund, and the E911 account, and is expected to improve financial flexibility and returns on investment.

Finally, County Clerk Neil Archer asked for approval of a new hire, Sonjia Cline for his office with a start date of July 1, 2025. Commissioners approved the hire.

Following the approval to pay the bills the meeting was adjourned at 9:44 AM. The next meeting of the Tyler County Commission is set for July 22 at 9:00 AM in the auditorium of the Senior Center in Middlebourne.