Kimberly M. Barbetta

The meeting included the opening of bids for Emergency Call-Out services, with the Deputy Director requested to review costs. The Commission accepted a bid from Software Systems Inc. for Sheriff Tax Office Software/Hardware & Assessor Supplemental package. A significant resolution was approved authorizing the redemption and retirement of the Brooke County Building Commission Lease Revenue Bonds (Brooke County Courthouse Annex Project) Series 2022. Other actions included the approval to reallocate construction certificate of deposit funds to the Brooke County Stabilization Fund, and approval to advertise for an in-house IT person. The Commission approved a request to advertise for a new 4x4 ambulance via sealed bids. Funding allocations were approved for various County Fire Protection services. Policies concerning Ballot Commissioner Pay, Physical Security of Electronic Voting Equipment, and Emergency Absentee Voting were approved. Funding was also approved for the Brooke Hills Park irrigation system.

Key discussions during this session included the approval of claims recommended by the Fiduciary Commissioner concerning the Stephen D. Fischer Estate, which were subsequently denied. The Commission approved a reimbursement payment for the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department's rescue truck, and the annual Memorandum of Understanding with WVU Extension for Fiscal Year 2026. A motion to table the agreement for service from Stryker regarding EMS Power Cot & Power Load System was passed. Approvals were granted for the hiring of two new full-time employees for the Emergency Management Agency (EMA): Joel Graham as an EMT and Caleb Gotschall as a Paramedic, both effective March 1, 2026. Following an executive session concerning a late bid, the Commission formally rejected the late bid submitted by Timber & Nails Construction. The Trail Pole Barn Project was awarded to 3D Construction, USA. The Commission scheduled an open budget meeting to occur after each meeting starting March 3rd until the budget completion date of March 27, 2026, and approved the re-bid for the Type I Ambulance 2026 or newer model bid, with bids due March 17, 2026.

Key discussions included a presentation by CHANGE Inc. regarding the Northern Panhandle HOME Consortium down payment and closing cost assistance program, including statistical data for Weirton, Hancock County, and Brooke County. A presentation was also given by the WV Department of Agriculture detailing the remediation process for the Spotted Lanternfly using herbicides and systemic insecticides. The Commission unanimously approved the dissolution of the Opioid Committee. Furthermore, approval was granted to give the City of Wellsburg the property located at 840 Main Street and to draft a Lease Agreement for the WVU Extension Office at 840 Charles Street. Personnel actions included approval for a part-time paramedic promotion and the hiring of a new part-time paramedic, as well as a promotion within the Sheriff Department. Fire protection funding allocations for McKinleyville VFD and the City of Weirton were approved. The Commission also approved a request related to the closing of an estate and an in-house budget transfer for the Circuit Clerk. Compliance updates regarding various properties were noted, and the Commission tabled the approval of policies regarding Animal Quarantine pending a Special Meeting.

The meeting addressed several administrative and budgetary items. Key actions included the approval of a Proclamation for the 2026 Distinguished Teaching Award recipient, Dr. Kacey Hopson. Fiduciary matters involved a petition to reopen an estate due to newly discovered assets and a request for a Fiduciary Commissioner to be assigned regarding the removal of an Executrix in another estate. Bidding involved tabling the Pole Barn Bid pending legal advice due to a late submission, and accepting an Emergency Call-out Equipment bid from Keith Yost Excavating. Funding reallocations included reversing a request for EMS equipment funding for the Weirton Fire Department and approving All County Fire Protection Funding requests for Beech Bottom VFD, Wellsburg VFD, and Windsor Heights VFD. Several in-house budget transfers and requests for budget revisions were also approved. The Commission also approved re-establishing a part-time employee in the Election Office for the election year and reviewed compliance officer updates and correspondence.

Key discussion topics for this meeting include presentations regarding the Housing Counseling Program and the Spotted Lanternfly issue. The agenda calls for the dissolution of the Opioid Committee and discussion/possible action concerning the property at 840 Main Street, Wellsburg. Operational items include personnel requests for EMS/EMA, such as moving a staff member to full-time and hiring a new part-time paramedic, and the promotion of a Deputy to Corporal in the Sheriff Department. Other items involve the approval of an EMS service agreement with Stryker, distribution of All-County Fire Protection Funding allocations, a petition to reopen an estate, review of the State Auditor's audit scope for the year ending June 2025, an insurance proxy letter, a grant match requirement for the Lee Day Report Center, a public notice regarding a Hazardous Waste Permit, and renewal of a contract with Global Science & Technology, LLC. The commission will also address an in-house budget transfer for the Circuit Clerk and review updates from the Compliance Officer regarding various properties.