Hardy County Commission approves proclamations, grants and school funding at monthly meeting

The Hardy County Commission on [date not specified] approved a slate of proclamations, funding requests and grant applications, including $5,000 for MHS DECA members to attend a national conference and $3,000 from opioid funds for school music programs.

The meeting opened with a prayer and the commission approved minutes from its March 3 regular meeting and the 2027 budget meeting by voice vote. Paul Lewis, the county 9‑1‑1 director, delivered the monthly report and the commission adopted a resolution recognizing Telecommunicator Month.

Kate Holmes, president of the MHS DECA chapter, and Sydney Lancaster, the chapter’s vice president for public relations, asked the commission for help sending 16 students to the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta. Commissioners moved to provide $5,000, to be split so each participating member receives an equal share toward travel and registration costs; the motion passed by voice vote.

Chip Combs of WELD Radio requested county support for local music programs. Commissioners approved a $3,000 allocation (funding source discussed as opioid‑funds) to be divided among area schools to assist with instrument purchases and repairs.

County coordinator Wendy Branson presented several proclamations — including Community Action Month and observances for severe weather awareness, National County Government Month and Fair Housing Month — all of which were adopted. Branson also reported grant activity and applications: a congressional direct‑spending request for $200,000 toward the Kinsley’s Run emergency response helipad, an application for roughly $130,000 for two Dodge Durangos for the sheriff’s office, and notice that a $5,000 mural grant from the West Virginia Department of Tourism had been awarded.

The prosecutor’s office requested and received commission approval to close a dormant checking account for the Hardy County Drug Task Force and distribute the remaining funds to the sheriff’s office and police department. Commissioners also approved two small community requests tied to the America 250 celebration — $1,100 to the Tri County Fair Association and $600 to McNeal’s Rangers — and voted to reappoint Commissioner Workman to the Region 8 Solid Waste Authority through June 30, 2030.

The commission approved letters of support for the Town of Wardensville’s wastewater upgrade application and for the Moorefield Volunteer Fire Department’s new firehouse project, both to be pursued through congressional or other external funding channels.

The meeting recessed briefly after routine reports. Several informational items — including a wellness center usage report and a county cyber‑risk overview — were included in the meeting packet.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of March 3 minutes and 2027 budget meeting minutes — passed (voice vote) - Telecommunicator Month resolution — adopted (voice vote) - MHS DECA support — $5,000 approved (voice vote) - School music programs (WELD Radio request) — $3,000 approved from opioid funds (voice vote) - Close Hardy County Drug Task Force checking account — approved (voice vote) - Reappoint Commissioner Workman to Region 8 Solid Waste Authority (through 06/30/2030) — approved (voice vote) - Tri County Fair Association — $1,100 approved (voice vote) - McNeal’s Rangers — $600 approved (voice vote) - Proclamations (Community Action Month, Severe Weather Awareness Week, National County Government Month, Fair Housing Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month) — all adopted (voice votes) - Letters of support for Wardensville wastewater and Moorefield Volunteer Fire Department — approved (voice votes)

The meeting packet included follow‑up items and reports; next procedural steps include executing the approved proclamations, distributing the DECA and music funds, and submitting the grant application materials already prepared by county staff.