[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6241924,"mediaKeyId","3251979-4149382c80c0595107ecc44036449ca0","parentId",3251979,"title","Donor offers raised dog beds and chip reader; commissioners and dog warden weigh MOU and contract revisions","audioSeconds",1588,"startMs",3600000,"endMs",5188000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3251979-4149382c80c0595107ecc44036449ca0&start=3600&end=5188","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3251979-4149382c80c0595107ecc44036449ca0/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6241924/Hardy-County/West-Virginia/Donor-offers-raised-dog-beds-and-chip-reader-commissioners-and-dog-warden-weigh-MOU-and-contract-revisions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241924-05dc9e968a915df58f2fd518bf6e385b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775444379&Signature=lo7h6ZDonWfqbSKj4Vsk6aD6D-ABBUVrlrEM0EQ-lLPTSaqH9dSCVvIDb23D3cuWxj5FyjD1vCz7HjaMHp~L5i-tEwwndmQQuAJECOwUzbumaQpnGXc5KExkcfPE~7aKO7qtuSWkHfj4bFNtuf4n92c6XSQ79MUF5AVbmHBlkpxkDWEvpi1uNuxLaJCXKzp8qsqIeTDeiIruOzs6x2i5ElYRXYtoi7ST8qIJrnlA1Pi3g2AijIKTjCT3uWd7BD0JpDWQuL-ZuWj3tDctEmEpqf15ZWrBtwkeeR02S8FsyvIzDDhfx-4Fae2sW7S57lxlIu9mYdFnJhnPz-~hnefw5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hardy County, WV","date","2025-05-08T13:42:33Z","article","John (private donor) told commissioners he purchased 12 kennel-grade raised beds for the county dog pound and pledged to cover replacement parts for a “couple years.” He offered to coordinate delivery with the dog warden, Jim Shoop, who said he had no objection to accepting and using the beds.

John also said a friend offered up to $500 to donate a microchip reader for the pound; Commissioner Tom said he had applied for a grant for a chip reader and expected an answer this month. Commissioners and the dog warden discussed volunteers, adoption paperwork and operational needs; Shoop described prior donated beds that did not endure and said he typically uses rubber mats and blankets in kennels.

County counsel presented a draft revised contract for the contracted dog warden that aims to align the role with statutory requirements and clarifies reporting to both the sheriff and the commission. The draft addresses bond and payment issues and proposes a one-time $1,000 payment to offset bonding costs required by statute.

Commissioners said a separate letter in draft will clarify terms for accepting a donor gift of roughly $50,000 earmarked for dog-pound improvements, including upgraded raised beds and HVAC for the facility. Commissioners asked staff and counsel to finalize the MOU language and to place the revised warden contract on the May meeting agenda for review after the warden has had an opportunity to examine it.

During public conversation the county’s PR director and the dog warden discussed a recent county Facebook post about pound operations; officials said the post drew community attention and that a later, more detailed post provided broader context about low euthanasia numbers and the pound’s activity. Commissioners urged civil public engagement and said operational volunteers and donations were welcome.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hardy County Commission meeting April 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A private donor gave the county 12 raised kennel beds and pledged to pay replacement parts; commissioners discussed a draft dog-warden contract, a possible $50,000 donor gift for facility upgrades, and the mechanics of accepting donated equipment.","taxTitle","Hardy County, West Virginia","taxId",68977,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241927,"Hardy County health official warns of building-permit, septic and inspector shortages as 'off-grid' living rises",284,2737000,3021000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3251979-4149382c80c0595107ecc44036449ca0&start=2737&end=3021","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3251979-4149382c80c0595107ecc44036449ca0/thumbnail_2737000.jpg","/articles/6241927/Hardy-County/West-Virginia/Hardy-County-health-official-warns-of-building-permit-septic-and-inspector-shortages-as-off-grid-living-rises","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241927-8eb654f2d1f895609c30535e9a1a0af7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775444379&Signature=o4W2mdxwdy32RefdsekNjaPFnktejV5LEiMf9Bb3WNhgGXLXX8U-GMqG-VoG1MZAT9ys0Z0MceryT3Muzted1dhvJirhM-Ct5pElXtHRPoPb1r29e1mPXp49K44Vg0K838~6kGHVM0SDPVKZOhlCBH9cmGs1BwM4dnawe~sfT4OAUDK7Qj5Da1jtTiFVrz6H9EKyfbqNzEwYUdPMCYmp1N9s04cGYXDWQSi6jJEqE3aFwKo3ac8hqTyEWI5f2YiS7lhgxJj2fJ27aRXrVvoHpb-8HCiP0nOBSJA4rwlOnNPLeg7SyJtF7dUGRqCgz9QhK7-IQmQ3dOvxKin8Qq0bUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bill Auerch, speaking for the health department, told commissioners the county is seeing more structures built without permits — barns and houses — and that the trend complicates septic permitting because “there's no place to put it” at some sites.

Auerch said state contractor licensing and inspection have been reduced and that the number of state inspectors has fallen “from 30 to 8” in about a year and a half, putting more enforcement pressure on counties. He said some residents build off-grid ‘shed’ dwellings and later install plumbing without permits, which can cause sewage problems.

Commissioners and staff discussed options including completing the county comprehensive plan, adopting a local building code, or contracting an inspector to perform enforcement work. Staff noted a planning commission-led comprehensive plan update is pending and public hearings are scheduled in coming weeks; the county could use that process to advance building-code and enforcement decisions.

Officials emphasized limits on county authority over private road names and private property decisions but said clearer 9‑1‑1 signage and mapping could improve emergency responses in areas with nonstandard addresses.","The health department reported a rise in unpermitted construction and septic-siting problems as off-grid living grows in rural Hardy County.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241930,"Hardy County EMS authority told to cut budget; commissioners approve $60,000 interim drawdown",354,2390000,2744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3251979-4149382c80c0595107ecc44036449ca0&start=2390&end=2744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3251979-4149382c80c0595107ecc44036449ca0/thumbnail_2390000.jpg","/articles/6241930/Hardy-County/West-Virginia/Hardy-County-EMS-authority-told-to-cut-budget-commissioners-approve-60000-interim-drawdown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241930-abd67938a8f983ac5c16998c10b69c5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775444379&Signature=Gxq6JGTklRUbM0zf7zqjMNvyXR-pQsg3g-QmDZC4st2emqtyIZdgN8AEMt1hDT1KLFtNYk7~FgNLbwZmSnN~7o2EBOKJ4tVGwJa0vrVqtpVfn4SqPFB8L8O6zXOIxDSMsx9irf~g714sJlIf~PpM09PQvst8rqhZ42vcA5G0BcwA4b7a0SX4bJZB2klUQJ7Ja5AAYcb1zUxGTCuyWeIxvG0o16162m66cWhALwviQR~uWv58OEcfw5TayG0ElZwSvl-FhRI51-daa40RoiITAYYHzEfHiduOjnLg4Hxojr4lRvmX1UkL5zSuirkk-ktzISgpIBJyWh6x-RQXije7fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Derek Ault and Eric Hall, representing the Hardy County Ambulance Authority (HCAA), told commissioners the agency must operate to a reduced budget approved by the commission and that the authority will revert toward a prior three-person staffing model to meet the target.

HCAA leaders said some older vehicles and equipment will be taken out of active service to reduce maintenance and contract costs; Hall listed plans to remove two aging monitors and a five-ton ambulance from the day-to-day fleet. HCAA requested an accelerated drawdown of May funding, and the commission approved a $60,000 transfer by voice vote.

Commissioners and HCAA discussed the assistant-director job title held by one employee; commissioners recommended renaming the position to reflect a “swing paramedic” role and suggested quarterly performance reviews during a one-year adjustment period. The commission directed staff to change the title at the next board meeting and to monitor quarterly performance and savings.

Separately, HCAA and commissioners discussed EMT training and volunteer recruitment. Commissioners encouraged the authority to pursue state and local training models, scholarships, or sponsorships and to set goals for the number of EMTs the county hopes to produce.

The commission also discussed ongoing operational coordination between EMS providers, a proposed daily staffing notification to 9‑1‑1 to avoid double‑page incidents, and transferring assets to local fire departments where appropriate.","County and HCAA leaders discussed reverting HCAA staffing to an earlier three-person model after budget cuts, renaming an assistant-director post, and approving a $60,000 drawdown to cover operational needs. Commissioners set quarterly reviews tied to performance against the reduced budget.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241932,"Hardy County 911 director: Motorola, carriers moving on Lost City tower; NextGen upgrade needs GIS cleanup",246,180000,426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3251979-4149382c80c0595107ecc44036449ca0&start=180&end=426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3251979-4149382c80c0595107ecc44036449ca0/thumbnail_180000.jpg","/articles/6241932/Hardy-County/West-Virginia/Hardy-County-911-director-Motorola-carriers-moving-on-Lost-City-tower-NextGen-upgrade-needs-GIS-cleanup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241932-2f9f21decff4e90af94e6aacb899994b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775444379&Signature=BHgDoSzgngf5EOYZQ-ylj-R3TO-czMlCKHyME5YBcpYkQpazA1SQ5vd2QAjUsMm~JoTSriOxnKZqpabR2kNG-E7MR9aw9rf15pyBYxb5xQDP04f6KQroSbEux4tUHT~GDDq-41TLGvhPwiCEGWDuRaA4BHrKq4QrDf2SoPMOUy0ZS1X9y9xLVk4mZ-W-64Bzb934wWJL6~vArhkRqk9kQ19PSppzy91ojkTmmPAPg441oa6OuPwX~5iAmGCR2ava0wqhjMU8Qkx7lpF4QzirP09V7D9HQn-f8ZCMOjJs0~BDZRDXcChkI~jgNs8pdtxATkO8gfwA7Df7sn4K4LeWdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Paul Lewis, Hardy County 9-1-1 director, told the county commission that Motorola is scheduled to install equipment on the Lost City radio tower “maybe this week or next week,” and that mobile carriers have expressed interest in collocating equipment there.

Lewis said T‑Mobile is ready to add equipment once the county signs a lease and that he has asked AT&T to send its engineering team to assess the site. He also urged updating local GIS address information ahead of a planned Next Generation 9‑1‑1 platform rollout: “One thing that probably needs to be done is a company needs to come in and look at the GIS information because the next gen is based on GIS information,” he said.

The March call-volume summary Lewis delivered showed 615 total calls into the center; 281 calls involving the sheriff’s office; 42 from state police; and 92 paged to HCEAA EMS. He said the fire and rescue agencies also had routine call activity and listed department-level counts during his report.

Lewis told commissioners the county has not received word on most 2025 federal grant awards, noting some programs are being renamed or adjusted as Congress negotiates the federal budget. He said an EMPG application is in and, if awarded, would bring “a little over $24,000” to the county for the 2023 EMPG cycle.

During the discussion commissioners pressed for operational improvements tied to call accounting and interagency communications. Lewis described manual reconciliation as the current workaround for “double reporting” when multiple agencies respond to a single incident and agreed to accept reconciled monthly reports from agencies, while urging agencies to supply daily staffing status so 9‑1‑1 and field partners can coordinate shift coverage.

The commission also adopted a separate resolution during the meeting proclaiming April 13–19, 2025, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week; the motion passed unanimously.","County 911 director Paul Lewis told commissioners Motorola and mobile carriers are preparing equipment work on the Lost City tower and that a Next Generation 911 platform rollout depends on updating county GIS address data. He also reported March call volumes and said federal grant awards remain uncertain pending the federal budget.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241920,"Commissioners approve contingent emergency sidewalk stabilization contract; county reports several small grants",285,4728000,5013000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3251979-4149382c80c0595107ecc44036449ca0&start=4728&end=5013","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3251979-4149382c80c0595107ecc44036449ca0/thumbnail_4728000.jpg","/articles/6241920/Hardy-County/West-Virginia/Commissioners-approve-contingent-emergency-sidewalk-stabilization-contract-county-reports-several-small-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241920-711585a81fb63ebd7d4960f1d885049e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775444379&Signature=M-ZEHTbg9YmfQ-7UtKCnK60EwxLUtoB2Ahtae10qXknXr8FEn-q7~maadZ6pjnjEkNFr410SJta2nLtkCCuHq4XHOTZlH2Oe0ujantRYhIJ9S6RyCiVFAqPmcZBWWWCULip-B4erI-1hdhb8r5~lPWRN-H4zEJY5hutch4JduMsW9l-vgQw9~tT-5aroLtegkNNO8blmjdtR19rpIqY-GNYgVjXBSqzdn9BcW-SFLPnm3ZrpDUpZssfpBFZc-rGdZtDx2an7nUzTDwIAWDeRUvGt58-~YsdfODvEoPEDwVZOtlUmv1wfV2Wxqo971A9H6VAe6o5jTGwMs7hcYfexUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commission approved, contingent on confirmation of emergency status, moving forward with an estimate from JES Foundation to stabilize and, where possible, lift and seal uneven courthouse sidewalks using a poly-injection method designed to fill voids and reduce trip hazards. Commissioners described the work as potentially an emergency if pedestrian safety risk is confirmed and voted to proceed with the contract if legal procurement requirements allow an emergency purchase.

County coordinator Wendy Branson summarized grant activity: a USDA grant agreement for $15,500 toward a new Sheriff’s Office vehicle (a 2025 Dodge Durango) needs signature, and a West Virginia Department of Agriculture spay-and-neuter assistance award of $7,500 with no local match has been accepted. Branson also noted a $5,940 award from the West Virginia Division of Arts and Culture and History for the Moorfield Lions Club Fourth of July event and said a $6,000 request from the child-advocacy center Sarah's House is under review through the county’s funding application process.

Commissioners instructed staff to confirm procurement rules for emergency repairs and to follow grant-signing and application procedures for the pending requests.","The commission voted to proceed with a contractor estimate to stabilize courthouse sidewalk trip hazards using polyinjection if the work qualifies as an emergency. County staff also presented a package of recent and pending grants including a USDA vehicle grant and a $7,500 spay-and-neuter award.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Donor offers raised dog beds and chip reader; commissioners and dog warden weigh MOU and contract revisions

Hardy County health official warns of building-permit, septic and inspector shortages as 'off-grid' living rises

Hardy County EMS authority told to cut budget; commissioners approve $60,000 interim drawdown

Hardy County 911 director: Motorola, carriers moving on Lost City tower; NextGen upgrade needs GIS cleanup

Commissioners approve contingent emergency sidewalk stabilization contract; county reports several small grants