Pocahontas County Commissioners Approve Two Budget Revisions & Resolutions

At their April 3^rd Regular Session, the Pocahontas County Commissioners’ only non-routine action was to approve a Budget Revision and Resolution for Law Enforcement for $5,550.00 and another Budget Revision and Resolution for the Tax Office in the amount of $1000.00.

The Law Enforcement Revision involved returning insurance money received from vehicle accident claims to the Sheriff’s Department’s budget. The Tax Office Budget Revision involved moving travel fund money around inside their existing budget.

This short meeting only lasted about 20 minutes since there was very little on the meeting agenda. Routine matters handled during the meeting included approving of some Final Settlements and Orders for the County Clerk’s Office, and reviewing Mail Items and Concerns.  Those included discussing a potential small claim against the County over minor vehicle damage to a third party that happened near the Animal Shelter.

The only other item of substance that was on the agenda was approval of a memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Durbin over Hotel Occupancy Tax collection; however that Memorandum of Understanding was approved at the last Commission meeting. The agenda should have stated the Memorandum of Understanding would be with the Town of Hillsboro; however no action could be taken on this at this meeting due to the agenda error. The Memorandum of Understanding with Hillsboro approval was tabled to the next County Commission meeting on April 17^th.

The Commissioners heard the Report of Commission Counsel Bob Martin. Martin reported that while the County won a challenge to a tax assessment by Silver Creek, this decision is being appealed to the Circuit Court. He also said he contacted the attorney who is representing Pocahontas County in the Opioid Lawsuit and was informed that the litigation has been filed making Pocahontas County a party to the lawsuit. Martin also advised the Commissioners that they will need to decide what to do about Shentel’s franchise fee in a future meeting. He stated that the Town of Marlinton has charged Shentel a flat 5% franchise fee.

Prior to ending the meeting the Commissioners approved invoices.