LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) – The Greenbrier County Commission has taken one more step to providing the western end of the county with broadband.
At its March 28 meeting, the Greenbrier County Commission chose the law firm of Steptoe and Johnson to act as council for the Quinwood Broadband Project. According to commissioner Lowell Rose, “We have worked with them before and were very pleased.”
Of the four bids presented for the position, the bid that was lowest and also met all the requirements must be selected.
In other commission business, the fiduciary Cindy Alley presented seven estates for settlement. All were approved.
In Arts and Rec grant transfers, the Meadow River Trail submitted an invoice for consulting, paid through AML and TAP grants, for $1,061.75. Additionally, Western Greenbrier Little League requested $17,947.27 for field dressing and equipment.
The invoice was paid, and the Little League request was approved. Commissioner Tammy Tincher reminded everyone that the applications for 2023-2024 Arts and Rec grants is online at Greenbrier Courthouse. Applications are due by April 14.
In other financial matters, the 2023-24 fiscal year budget was reviewed and accepted by the Commission. One notable change is the PIEA board informed the county that an increase of up to 20% was going to take place. Currently the county has an 80-20 arrangement where employees pay 20%.
Tincher said, “We feel it is not right to increase the employee contribution, so the county has decided to absorb the increase in the plan cost into their portion.” How these percentages work out will be known once the state Legislature votes on it.
A 4% pay raise for all county employees is also in the new budget. Additionally, the upcoming budget will cover what has been implemented by the state Legislature for increases to retirement (16%) and longevity pay for sheriff’s deputies.
The full budget and totals will be posted in The West Virginia Daily News legal ad section. Revenues of over $17 million will cover the expenses of $16,951,197.
In other business:
- It was announced the Greenbrier Board of Education contributed $7,000 for cost of overtime for law enforcement providing services at the county schools.
- A proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness Month was read to the commission by Mary Carr, representing several child protection groups, and was signed by the commissioners. The Proclamation detailed the many ways a community at large can provide for the support and welfare of children and helping them through recovery from abuse.
- A request was also made to hold a Children’s Memorial Flag Day Ceremony on April 28 in front of the courthouse. The commission approved the outdoor location as well as potential indoor space if weather is inclement.
- The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan was tabled until a future meeting, because some information requested from the state offices has not arrived yet.
- It was announced that courthouse construction is going well. The elevators are nearly completed, and the trim along the outside has been installed. One holdup is that interior parts for the electric panel, ordered in the very beginning of the project, have not been received.
- An addition going to be added to the Greenbrier County Health Department in Fairlea. Contractors wishing to bid on the project are required to attend a mandatory job showing at 9207 Seneca Trail N. on April 11 at 1 p.m.
- Taxpayers are reminded of the April 1 property tax deadline. Taxes must be paid at the courthouse or online before the close of business Friday March 31, at 4:30 pm. After this day any taxes due will be considered delinquent.
