The Putnam County Commission made the November 8 General Election ballot for Putnam County a bit longer at its July 12 meeting. The Commission approved a proposal by Putnam County Fire Board Administrator Rich Pullin to have a Fire and EMS Special Levy placed before voters.
If approved, the levy would result in approximately $3 million funding to the county’s fire departments. Pullin stated that the annual fire fee which homeowners and businesses currently pay will be discontinued. Only homeowners whose homes are of $325,000 and greater value will pay more for fire service. Businesses will bear the lion’s share of the $3 million increase.
Pullin reported that the special levy would allow the Fire Service Board to provide day-time paid firefighters. Volunteers are not available to respond to calls during normal business hours.
In other business, Putnam 911 Director Mikyle White presented the Commission with a MOU between the county and WV Emergency Management Division. White stated that there has not been a clear understanding of responsibility concerning maintenance at the site of the communications tower on Coal Mountain. White said that it has been determined that the county is responsible because it is the land leaser. The State will be responsible for equipment inside of the shelter. White said that Putnam 911 will meet with the land owner and take necessary steps to comply with the agreement which was made in 2009 when the tower was built.
The Commission also approved a resolution which makes the county a participating member of the WV Emergency Medical Services Retirement System. The cost to the county is expected to be less than $4,000 per year.
The Commission created an ordinance which will directly affect individuals with failed septic systems. County Attorney Larry Frye said that the Health Department has had to deal with situations in which individuals have not corrected a cited problem. The ordinance establishes penalties for first and second-time offenses which penalties shall be enforced by magistrate and/or circuit court action.
Commissioner Andy Skidmore announced that there will be a Transportation Committee meeting on Monday, July 25, at 9:30 am in the Commission chambers in which officials from WVDOT could answer questions and concerns that citizens may have. The DOT will also provide an update on the widening of I-64 and the new bridge construction.
The next County Commission meeting is Thursday, July 28.
