By Gary Lee Stuber
The Clay County Commission met in their second regular monthly session on Monday, Mar. 24 at 9 a.m. All three commissioners were in attendance: Commissioner David Schoolcraft; Commission President Joyce Johnson, and Commissioner Duane Legg.
In the last article regarding the Commission, it was erroneously reported that, “Two items were tabled. The E911 Wrecker Rotation Service schedule was tabled because Logan Wrecking had not filed all necessary paperwork by this meeting. They were given five days to finish to remain in rotation.” Commissioner Legg stated that this item was not tabled and Logan Wrecking was always in the rotation pending the paperwork, which was met within the deadline. We apologize for any confusion this error caused.
The commission then took care of routine business approving minutes from the previous meeting, approving bills and purchase orders, fixing assessments, appointing administrators, and probating last wills and testaments. They appointed Josh Downy as Clay County’s Fiduciary Commissioner for the county. They made the Clay County Board of Health Audited Financial Statements available for public inspection.
The commission also appointed Patricia White as the Clay County Ambulance Service Director.
Karen Nichols and Shelia Thorn of the Clay County Library presented their annual budget to the commission, requesting that they match the funds dedicated to them from the Board of Education of $42,000. Commissioner Johnson said that the commission would continue to cover their insurance but would need to finalize the annual budget to see what is available for the Library Budget. The deadline for the County Commission to provide the budget to the State of West Virginia is close of business, Monday, Apr. 14. Because of this deadline the commission moved the next regular meeting of the County Commission to Tuesday, Apr. 15, at 9 a.m. The Library Budget deadline is at the same time, so Commissioner Johnson told Shelia and Karen she would get back to them by then,
The commission announced there will be a public hearing for the Special Emergency Ambulance Service Fee at 10 a.m. on Apr. 28 to explain the fee. Commissioner Legg explained, “Clay County Commission will have a public hearing regarding enacting a county wide ordinance of 2 percent of all short term rentals. Hotels, AirBNBs, bikes, kayaks, etc.” He also clarified, “Let me be clear this is not a $25 fee that will be placed on homes. This is a fee that will only affect the users of these services only. Refer to WV Code 8-13-6, 7-15-18 & 7-15-17. If you have questions or concerns please attend the public hearing on Apr. 28 at 10 a.m.”
In other news, Terry Martin was going to provide an update on the Big Otter/Nebo/Walker Road Water Line Extension to the Commission, but was delayed and will possibly present at the next regular meeting.
Commissioner David Schoolcraft noted that the annual Clay County Cleanup this year will take place on Apr. 26 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. across from Pierson Lumber as it has been in years’ past. Metal tire rims will be taken, but all tires must be removed from rims before either will be accepted. The County Assessor added that the Annual County Cleanup will precede this on April 22 and April 23, and many county entities, including Clay County High School students, will be picking up trash and bagging it for DOH workers to pick up by Saturday in dump trucks and taken to the Pierson site for collection on the 26th. Commissioner Schoolcraft also announced that the annual county-wide Yard Sale will be held on May 3.
Donna Salisbury with the Family Resource Center announced that they had had their County-Wide Baby Shower and was a success and that they were planning the annual Easter Extravaganza at the Maysel Park for Clay County children on Apr. 12 at 2 p.m. They have plenty of eggs, prizes, and treats, but they are looking for donations of candy.
All week people have been seeing cable trucks working through Clay County, in town and down through Route Sixteen. Commissioner Legg clarified that the trucks in town were Frontier, the trucks out of town were Citinet. This is broadband cable being installed in Clay County.
The Health Department announced that a Health Fair will be held on Apr. 29 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Most tests and screenings are free, but an A1C, for example, would cost $5. If you have a particular test you need done, call the Health Department prior to the fair to see if it is available that day and ask what it would cost if you showed up that morning.
Finally, the Clay County Rail Explorers announced that their tourist season will begin on Apr. 19 and that for the month of April and May they are offering a 35 percent discount for all Clay County residents who want to ride the rails.
The next Clay County Commission regular meeting will be held Tuesday, Apr. 15 at 9 a.m. The second monthly meeting will be on Monday, Apr. 28 at 9 a.m. There will be a special public hearing at 10 a.m. that morning explaining the Special Emergency Ambulance Fee. The public is encouraged to attend all these meetings.
