Vienna hears program reports and several funding requests from outside agencies; health department seeks $18,006.41 increase

The Vienna City Council heard presentations from seven outside agencies during a special session, where agencies described services to Vienna residents and several requested municipal funding or budget inclusion.

Jill Parsons, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid Ohio Valley, asked the city to continue a program that pays first-year Chamber dues for qualifying new or newly relocated Vienna businesses. Parsons said the Chamber’s Vienna membership program has signed 85 businesses since the program began in October 2015 and that 61 of those remain in operation — “72%,” she said — with 57 still located in Vienna. The Chamber has received a $3,000 annual allocation from the city in recent years; Parsons requested $5,000 for the coming year to cover first-year dues for about eight businesses and proposed launching a quarterly Vienna Business Council to connect local businesses with city leadership. Parsons said the Chamber “is honored to be good stewards of the money that you have given to us.”

Emily Larkins, executive director of the Family Crisis Intervention Center, described the Kids First program, a neutral, child-friendly site used for court-ordered exchanges and supervised visits. Larkins said the program operates three evenings a week and provides those services at no charge, funded through the Supreme Court of Appeals, the Department of Health and Human Resources, city contributions and private donations. Since July, she reported, the program has provided about 320 child visits and exchanges, 356 service hours, 15 new children and 63 continuing children. Larkins said families generally may use the program for up to one year before returning to court for reevaluation.

Representatives from Wood County Senior Citizens were not present, but a submitted note read into the record reported that the nutrition program served 100 seniors, delivering more than 8,200 meals at a cost of about $61,000; the transportation program provided roughly 400 trips for Vienna residents; and in‑home care provided approximately 2,500 hours of service at an estimated cost of $45,000.

Gary McIntyre of the Humane Society of Parkersburg said the regional shelter took in 2,732 animals in 2024; about 4.7% of that intake — roughly 129 animals — came from Vienna, he said. McIntyre said the shelter performed about 5,535 spay/neuter procedures last year, with about 60 of those from Vienna, and noted low‑income and community programs and a free clinic sponsored by Lou Thomas Subaru that brings hundreds of animals for low‑ or no‑cost services.

Greg Collins, executive director of Northstar Child Advocacy Center, outlined services for child abuse investigations and treatment. Collins said Northstar is the largest and busiest child advocacy center in West Virginia, serving a five‑county region. He reported that West Virginia CACs served 4,909 children in fiscal 2024 and that Northstar served 501 children in calendar 2024 (570 in the 2023–24 fiscal year). Collins asked the city to include Northstar in its budget and suggested a per‑child municipal contribution model, saying municipal support would help the center remain sustainable amid federal and state grant uncertainty.

Brandy Blatt, executive director of the Fellowship Home (sober living), described the organization’s men’s home and community room, which hosts family visits, trainings and community meals. Blatt said the home has operated for more than five decades and requested funds to replace or repair heavily used flooring in the community room; she did not specify a dollar amount at the meeting.

Travis White, finance director for the Mid Ohio Valley Health Department, told council the department provides vaccinations, school dental programs, Narcan training and other community health programs and asked the city for a larger municipal contribution. White said Vienna previously provided $7,000; the health department is requesting $18,006.41 for the coming year to reflect rising costs and to reduce discrepancies in municipal support across jurisdictions. White said the department’s recent office flood temporarily displaced staff and that the department has been using other municipal facilities while relocating programs to a new building.

Votes at a glance

— Council approved an amendment to the minutes (motion to amend and a second were recorded; the council voted in favor and the amended minutes will be submitted at the next regular meeting). The motion and second were recorded but not attributed to named council members in the transcript; the vote was announced as “aye” with no recorded opposition. The council noted that Jim Leach was unavailable for the session.

Why it matters

Several of the presentations requested or sought continued municipal funding; the health department’s request, if adopted, would be the largest single increase reported to the council during the presentations. Agencies described services that touch Vienna residents across public health, child welfare, animal welfare, addiction recovery and economic development — areas that intersect with municipal budgeting decisions.

What’s next

Council members asked some clarifying questions during presentations and the council will consider budget requests as part of its upcoming regular meeting and budget process.