By Liz Beavers
lbeavers@newstribune.info
Tribune Managing Editor
KEYSER – Commission President Wayne Spiggle is scheduled to present his fellow commissioners with a proposal for a county-wide community Crime Watch program when the county officials meet at 4:30 p.m. today.
In addition, a public hearing on the proposed increase in 911 fees currently charged on existing telephone lines in the county is scheduled to get underway at 6 p.m.
Spiggle, who attended the Crime Watch organizational meeting called by Keyser City Councilman Sonny Alt last week, told the local officials at that time that he would like to see the county actively seek grant money for the establishment of a Crime Watch program throughout the county.
He also told the local officials that he would be presenting his proposal to the other four municipalities in the county, as well as his fellow county officials for approval.
The 6 p.m. public hearing is designed to gather input from the public on the proposed $1 increase in 911 fees. The county presently charges a $2 fee on “land line” telephones, with the revenue used for the maintenance and upkeep of the county’s 911 system.
County residents are also charged $3 on every cell phone, but that fee is set by the state.
At the Sept. 22 county
commission meeting, Spiggle noted that the $1 increase may not be enough to help cover the rapidly escalating costs of operating their county-wide emergency services.
Other items on the agenda for today’s commission meeting include the upcoming Route 50 Association meeting, which Mineral County is slated to host on Tuesday, Nov. 3; the new Route 50 Association by-laws, which each involved county commission is being asked to ratify; a continued discussion of the proposed contract between the county and U.S. WindForce, which would guarantee a minimum tax revenue generated by the company; and other issues.
The commissioners also have appointments to meet with Dennis McGann about the Mineral County Mapping and Addressing project; Connie Sutton about the Mineral County Library System, and Charlie Hartman in regard to concerns about the area around Pin Oak Lane.
Sheriff Craig Fraley is scheduled to meet with the officials in executive session to discuss personnel matters.
The meeting gets underway at 4:30 p.m. and will be held in the commission room at the courthouse.
Keyser, W.Va. —
