Grant County Commission approves budget revisions, appoints Ruth Sites; hears Run For It funding request and EMS staffing update

The Grant County Commission on Feb. 10 unanimously approved several budget revisions, appointed Ruth Sites to the Grant County Planning Commission and authorized the sheriff to award Deputy Brian Ours his service pistol under West Virginia Code 7‑7‑23, while taking up community funding and personnel updates.

The approved budget revisions moved $90,909 into the State Grants (323) and Ambulance Authority (715) accounts and reallocated $110,000 out of Sheriff — Service of Process (701) into Police Special Duty (708). Commissioner Scotty Miley moved the budget revisions and the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: the adjustments shift grant and public‑safety resources and fund the county ambulance budget; commissioners also completed routine administrative business that keeps county operations and grant commitments current.

During public comment, resident Bill Waddy urged caution about fertilizer and soil management for hay at the airport and dog pound, saying, "Chicken litter can very easily get the soil out of balance," and recommended professional soil analysis and follow‑up testing to preserve soil health. The commission later discussed changing how many years are included in hay‑harvesting bid terms and asked that the county extension agent, Brad Smith, provide a recommendation.

Angie Pase of the Tucker Community Foundation requested a $3,000 pledge to support RUN FOR IT 2026 in Davis, held in conjunction with the Leaf Peeper's Festival. Pase told commissioners the foundation has supported Grant County since 2017 and provided grants and scholarships to local students and programs. "RUN FOR IT is in Davis, WV, held in conjunction with the Leaf Peeper's Festival," Pase said when describing the request; the commission did not record an immediate pledge decision in the minutes.

Mountaintop Public Service District board members Douglas Lyons, Michael Delaney and Joe Harvey presented their FY26/27 budget request; the minutes record the presentation but do not specify a funding amount or a formal action on the request.

Jeffrey Teter, EMS Director, and Mark Arnold updated the commission on EMS staffing. Teter said, "All part‑time applications will be put on hold for now," and Arnold "suggested to put a cap on the number of part‑time employees." Teter is conducting interviews to fill a full‑time opening.

On contractual matters, the commission deferred signature on a lease and a lease rental payment agreement with Seneca Rocks Regional Development Authority pending review by Prosecuting Attorney John Ours and/or Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Brandley Goldizen; President Tyson Riggleman said he would schedule two public meetings (one in Maysville and one in Mount Storm) to discuss the matter.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes from Jan. 27 and Board of Equalization sessions — mover: Kevin P. Hagerty; outcome: approved unanimously (yes: Tyson K. Riggleman; Scotty W. Miley; Kevin P. Hagerty). - Approve budget revisions (see amounts above) — mover: Scotty W. Miley; outcome: approved unanimously (yes: Riggleman, Miley, Hagerty). - Appoint Ruth Sites to Planning Commission — mover: Tyson K. Riggleman; outcome: approved unanimously. - Approve Actions of the Clerk (Exhibit A1) — mover: Scotty W. Miley; outcome: approved unanimously. - Authorize signature to award Deputy Brian Ours his service pistol per WV Code 7‑7‑23 — mover: Kevin P. Hagerty; outcome: approved unanimously. - Enter and exit executive session under WV Code 6‑9A‑4 — mover: Scotty W. Miley; outcome: enter/exit unanimously; no action taken. - Approve payment of invoices listed in Exhibit A3 — mover: Kevin P. Hagerty; outcome: approved unanimously.

The meeting record shows routine county business proceeding with several unanimous procedural approvals. Next steps noted by the commission include legal review of the Seneca Rocks lease documents, scheduling two public meetings on the lease, and following up with the extension agent about hay‑harvest bid terms. The commission adjourned after approving the listed expenses.