By Stephen Smoot
“Heavenly Father, we just thank you for this day . . . as spring approaches . . . we pray for peace for every individual in this room,” prayed Harrison County Commissioner Patsy Trecost during the customary invocation to open the meeting.
During public comment period, Lost Creek Mayor Dave Oliverio raised concerns about an impending rate hike from Greater Harrison Public Service District.
The Harrison County Commission set up a special meeting for public comment concerning the hikes, which will go up seven percent for water and 3.5 percent for sewer. Commissioner david Hinkle shared with WBOY that “Normally, they have to look at it as just the cost of doing business, everything gets more expensive, so, it’s something that any business has to pass on to customers that never want to but at some point, you can’t operate at a loss.”
Local governments that run such utilities also often find that incremental increases that take place more frequently burden the public less than those made more infrequently, but by necessity at much more steep hikes. Additionally, the State of West Virginia increasingly expects that their assistance to local water and sewer come also with higher revenue generation to help to sustain the service on its own.
Usually, rate hikes are the most convenient means by which said local governments can successfully receive state funding.
Mayor Oliverio questioned why the Commission held a special meeting “that was not heavily advertised.” Commissioners are bound by law to not respond during public comment, but generally elective bodies will hold special meetings on issues expected to generate a lot of comment. This prevents a special topic from infringing on the routine business of administering county government. He also asked why Greater Harrison serves some customers in Marion County.
Oliverio also pointed out that in his efforts to add fire hydrants within town limits, that he had run into contradictory information as to the size of the water piping and if it could handle a fire hydrant on the line. Additionally, he stated that residents on tight budgets could not afford additional hikes.
“I appreciate your time,” the Mayor told Commissioners, and also said “we just wanted you to hear our concerns.”
The Harrison County Commission had elected to take no action in the special meeting, which allowed the hikes to take place.
During public comment, a candidate for office also asked for information on the Wolf Summit natural gas plant project. Susan Thomas, Harrison County Commission President, explained that County Administrator Laura Pysz-Laulis could answer his questions after the meeting.
Harrison County Clerk John Spires also shared the results of the “I Voted” sticker contest. Eighth graders across West Virginia had an opportunity to submit art for consideration. County winners will have their art used for their home counties in the primary election. Brett Webb, a home schooled student, used the iconic New River Gorge bridge in his design.
“This is the program that the Secretary of State started,” said Thomas, who added “I think it’s great.”
Commissioners also heard from a representative of the American Red Cross as they both recognized Red Cross Month while also contributing $5,000 toward supporting blood drives. “Compassionate spirit runs deep in this community,” said the prepared statement to the Commission.
Commissioners next heard from Kylie Waggoner, working with partners to establish the “Take Me Home Transportation” project. Waggoner explained that the service would “run like Uber” once an app was designed and in place. She was motivated by her own tragic accident in which she struck a Department of Highways worker with her vehicle. The project would help those in “alcohol serving establishments” find a safe way home if too intoxicated to drive.
Commissioner David Hinkle expressed strong sympathy and support for the organization and its mission, but stated that it was too early. “I want to help you,” shared Hinkle, but added that they could not until “you are further along.” He explained, with the support of fellow commissioners, that the County Commission assists established and operating social welfare organizations, but that taxpayers should not provide “seed money” to get started.
Commissioners invited Waggoner back and tabled her request, meaning it remains open for the time being. “God bless you for what you are doing,” stated Thomas.
Toward the end of the meeting, the County Commission took up an agenda item concerning purchasing property on which to construct the proposed Animal Control facility. Trecost stated in frustration that “we’ve been working on this for six years” and asked “why aren’t we building the animal control facility on the US 19 property where we have 11 acres of flat land?”
Pysz-Laulis responded that she was looking for a property “where we could build right away.” She and Commissioners cited issues with utility connection and also continued federal government assessment of whether parts of the US 19 property, formerly Sunset Ellis, could be used. Thomas added that building there could interrupt the popular flea market that used the space last fall.
Trecost replied that the area of the property closest to the roadway satisfied both concerns.