The Tyler County Sheriff’s Office has received its new rescue boat, and groundbreaking for the new storage facility should be underway this week.

“I want to stress that this addition to the sheriff’s department comes to us at no cost to Tyler County,” remarked Commission President Charles “Pork” Smith. “The acquisiton was funded entirely through the Department of Homeland Security. Dominion Hope is funding the building of the storage facility, as well as the security system that will be put in place at the site.”

Sheriff Earl P. “Bob” Kendle, Jr., informed the commissioners he would visit the construction site after Tuesday’s meeting to assess the progress on the new construction.

In other matters, Commission Vice President John Stender informed commissioners that the spring projects at Tyler Co. 4-H camp are almost finished. Water lines have been installed and that project will be completed this week. New water heaters have been purchased for the girls’ communal bathroom. However, he noted the heaters could not be installed until electric was upgraded in the building. The upgrade will be funded through Tyler County 4-H, he added.

“They are also tearing the old porch of the main building,” Stender noted. “Volunteers are constructing a new porch and have already acquired the lumber.”

A contract has been negotiated for mowing and housekeeping, he added.

County Commissioner Eric Vincent next addressed commission, informing members he had received a request from MOVRC. The request, in the amount of $5,000, will fund the Foster Grandparent Program. The money goes directly to fund transportation and other costs incurred by the participating Foster Grandparents.

“We have granted this money in the past,” noted “Pork” Smith. “It’s a good program. We have ten Foster Grandparents in Tyler County working out of Sistersville Elementary and AI Boreman Elementary.” Commission voted to grant the request.

Vincent next made commissioners aware of the need to implement a formal written policy concerning P-Cards, used by the county for expenditures. Commission hopes to have the policy drawn up and put in place by their May meeting. County Clerk Teresa Hamilton and Deputy Clerk Amy Glover were appointed as co-coordinators for P-Cards by commission.

“Until we have the policy in place, I suggest that purchases at this time be limited to fuel purchases for the sheriff’s department,” said Vincent.

Sheriff Kendle requested that meal purchases also be included for members of the Sheriff’s Department who must travel outside the county on official police business. Commission approved Kendle’s request.

It was also noted that P-Card training must be implemented every two years. Clerks Hamilton and Glover recently completed training for the cards. A training session for other county employees will be scheduled in the near future.

Vincent also noted that testing of the voting machines went smoothly and the equipment is operating correctly.

Commission noted that the State Auditor was currently at the courthouse, working on 2007-08 audits, and would be continuing its examination for the next couple of months. “The reason the auditor is behind schedule,” commented Vincent, “is that larger counties that receive grant funds of $500,000 or more must be audited immediately. That puts smaller counties on the back burner.”

Budget revisions for the sheriff’s department were approved by commission in the amount of $19,352, as well as one for VOCA in the amount of $60.32.

Commissioner Vincent then informed members that the funds allocated to Olive Branch in their last meeting were not available out of the “dog” fund, as there was not as much money there as was needed. Commissioners re-allocated funding to Olive Branch from the commission budget. Funds allocated will facilitate the shelter’s spay and neuter program.

Commission voted on and approved the re-appointment of John Eckels to the Northern Panhandle Workforce Investment Board. Eckels current appointment expires in June.

Commission President then called the meeting into executive session to discuss a personnel matter. Those attending Tuesday’s meeting were: John Stender, Eric Vincent, Charles “Pork” Smith, Teresa Hamilton, Amy Glover, Bob Kendle, and county attorney D. Luke Furbee.