In the first listed item of business at the Putnam County Commission meeting of September 9, the commission approved a $150,000 request from the Prosecutor’s Office to enter into a 70-month agreement with Axon Justice Premier Plus. Nancy Bellomy, Chief of Staff for the Prosecutor’s Office stated that Axon’s digital management system would allow for efficient handling of digital information. The Prosecutor is required to share digital information which is stored on numerous devices. The Axon system will allow information to be edited and distributed according to the specific need. The $150,000 expenditure will be funded by Opioid Settlement money which the county is scheduled to receive.
In another money related action, the commission approved the purchase of vehicles for Putnam County Fire Service and Putnam County 911. The two vehicles could not be obtained through the State because General Motors has placed all public safety vehicles on national allotment. Only three GM dealers in the entire nation can supply public safety grade vehicles. One bid of $57,706 for each vehicle. The agencies had budgeted for a slightly higher cost.
The commission voted to table a decision which would make INdigital the supplier for the 911 Call Handling Equipment and Network Upgrade. The projected cost was $861,518 over a 5-year period with $343,640 coming in the first year. The commission has an October deadline to enter into an agreement. Commission president Andy Skidmore directed County Attorney Larry Frye and County Manager Tim Hanna to review INdigital’s pricing to ensure compliance to GSA standards.
In other business, the commission appointed Thor Meeks to serve on the Putnam Public Service District Board. PSD members are charged with setting strategic direction, ensuring financial oversight and legal compliance, approving budgets and policies, selecting and evaluating district management, and ensuring the integrity of district operations.
The commission approved a 5-year PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement with Valley Pointe Apartments, LLC. The agreement removes 304 at Valley Pointe from the tax books for five years, during which Valley Pointe will pay the PCDA an annual $1,000 management fee and a payment to the county of an amount equal to 70% of the real estate taxes that would have been charged. 304 at Valley Pointe is the $110 million development which is located to the rear of Wendy’s on Teays Valley Road in Hurricane.
The commission also approved the request of the City of Hurricane to annex five parcels into its corporate limits. Four of the five parcels consisted of acreage which the City owned. The 3.42-acre parcel on Teays Valley Road adjacent to the old Teays Valley Tire location which is now part of the City of Hurricane was annexed at the request of property owners, Prep, LLC (Chad Prather), and Safique Ahmed. The annexations add 200 acres to Hurricane city limits. The largest tract is the 144 acres in Rooper Hollow that serves as a back up reservoir for the Hurricane water utility.
The county commission next meets on September 30th.
