The parking lot at the Tyler County Courthouse is now complete. The extended lot will provide the courthouse patrons with convenient parking while visiting the complex.

“The parking lot is done,” announced President Charles “Pork” Smith during the Tyler County Commission meeting on Tuesday.

Monroe Excavating was awarded the bid earlier in the year and subcontracted it to J&T Contracting. Vice President John Stender stated he drove on it and it is solid. It is estimated that 40 dump truck loads of dirt were dumped to provide a solid foundation for the parking lot. The commissioners stressed they were very pleased with the work that had been done.

The commissioners discussed the possibility of paving the parking lot in the near future. Tyler County Assessor Jackson Hayes suggested that the commissioners install a guardrail around the lower side and the back part of the parking lot.

Stender announced that Christina Richmond from Wetzel County was approved and hired as the County’s new Extension Agent. Stender interviewed Richmond and said she has an extensive amount of experience in the private and industrial arena, as well as FFA.

Stender also reported that he has received two bids for the work to be done on the 4-H Campgrounds. The $10,000 grant will go towards concrete work and the ceiling in the girls dorm which needs to be repainted.

The Senior Citizens Center have asked the commissioners for $8,000 in matching funds. The center receives a grant for funding in the amount of $80,000 each year for operational funds. The grant money received each year goes towards the operation of the kitchen, the van and some of the employee’s salaries.

Commissioner Robert Wable informed the other commissioners that during the last budget revision, $19,000 requested by the West Virginia Extension Office for the 2010-2011 year was approved.

The County Clerk’s Office will get a new recording copier. Doug Overhalt, Xerox sales representative, attended the meeting and the commissioners approved to have a 5225 Series Xerox copier installed. The new copier will print 35 pages per minute.

“The 5225 Series copier will do the job, no problem,” said Overhalt.

Under Smith’s report, he gave an update on the clock tower restoration. Coon Restoration from Louisville, Ohio was deemed the lowest bidder for the job in the amount of $50,560.

The motion to accept Coon Restoration was made.

The next meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on May 18 at the Tyler County Courthouse.