By Stephen Smoot
Last week’s Harrison County Commission meeting opened with the customary invocation by Commissioner Patsy Trecost, then the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance by all in attendance.
The agenda focused first on approving payroll change requests from county offices. Commissioner David Hinkle signaled his desire to recuse himself from discussion of multiple promotions listed on the agenda.
He then explained that “I want to apologize to the citizens of Harrison County and to my fellow Commissioners that due to possible legal and other issues, I must recuse myself from matters concerning the Sheriff’s Department” and financial discussions related to that agency.
Hinkle offered no further explanation, nor was he asked to elaborate.
“You just smacked me right in the side of the face with that,” replied Susan Thomas, Harrison County Commission President. “I just really digested what you just said,” she added. Thomas informed Hinkle that “if you wish not to vote, it’s fine,” then stated that he could leave temporarily, if he wished.
Hinkle then exited the chamber.
Thomas and Trecost then discussed the payroll changes pertaining to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department. Disagreement between the County Commission and the Sheriff’s Department has emerged in recent weeks over budgetary priorities.
Laura Pysz-Laulis, Harrison County Administrator, stated that although the salary for the process server remains in the budget, but Commissioners prefer to use “that and increase deputy salaries.”. The Sheriff’s Department placed a priority instead on replacing the process server, but wishes to have both the raises and replace the retiring worker.
Thomas shared that “I just have to say that I hate to go back on this because we made a decision, but here we are.” Commissioners agreed to “definitely revisit this next year.”
After discussion ceased, Hinkle returned to the chambers.
At this point, Commissioners reviewed a request from the Stobnewood Volunteer Fire Department, asking for $3,000 in support for their Third Annual Stonewood Fire Fighters Festival. Trecost moved to approve the request and it was passed.
Next came a request from the Town of West Milford, asking $3,000 to help support the Old Mill and Float the Fork Festival. Jeff Barnhardt came to the Commission to share how support would help the festival, which this year will welcome float enthusiasts from as far away as Colorado.
Before the Commission approved the request, Barnhardt expressed “we appreciate any and all help.”
After approval, Hinkle suggested that some annual community events and other regular requests for support be placed on a “list that we automatically set aside funds.” Thomas replied that “we can revisit this next year,” likely referring to the fact that the next fiscal year budget is already mostly set.
Discussions over purchasing policy for Sheriff’s Department cruisers followed. Thomas said “I have questions concerning the cruisers and the bidding process.”
Pysz-Laulis shared that the recent rash of purchase needs are “due to their losing so many cruisers to vehicle accidents.” The Department bypassed the bidding process and “just got quotes.”
Hinkle blasted the process, saying “you have spent $1.3 million on cruisers without bids.” Thomas followed with “we need to get back on track with this.” Hinkle shot back that the County was “willing to spend $1.3 million with Statewide Lincoln Ford in Ohio” without bids. He went on to add that “we are . . . buying cruisers in West Virginia for the first time in four years . . .”
Thomas fired back that “I guarantee I questioned it before” as Hinkle said that he had hard copies of invoices. She then threw up her hands and said “Sometimes it’s okay to do it and sometimes it’s not. I just think that we need to get on track.”
Hinkle noted that “this is the first time we’ve given someone in West Virginia an opportunity . . .”
Thomas replied, “for cruisers, yes.”
Trecost jumped in and shared that he had been “complaining about this since day one,” then said “I don’t know what happens with this Commission.”
“Bid it out properly,” Trecost stated, “David’s right, Susan’s right. “I’ve been talking for six years on this one.”
Hinkle then shared details on the causes of his frustration, explaining that “Commissioner Trecost, until recently we couldn’t get the correct information out of the Sheriff’s department. We could not go out for bid because we were never told what equipment was required. We were always just given a blanket for cruisers and equipment,” which cut off the bidding process.
He then stated that “a local in-state outfit could bid and saved us $3,000 per cruiser, cheaper than what we paid last year for cruisers with the same company.”
“I find it amazing now that we’re saving money that everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon that we need . . .” started Hinkle, but Thomas jumped in and said “That has nothing to do with it, David. Nothing! . . . what you’re saying is we just call around and get prices. Then let’s change our policy. That’s my point.”
Hinkle replied that he was “not pointing fingers at anyone, but I’ve been trying to bring this cruiser thing to a head for years and could never get the information.”
“That’s not us, though,” said Thomas, who then said, “I think some of these people need to be watching their budgets,” and also “please can we figure out something for the future so we’re not visiting this again.”
