Fire department funding, shelter social media discussed by Brooke Commission
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WELLSBURG -- Brooke County commissioners were updated Tuesday on state funding to be provided to local fire departments and were encouraged to use social media more to promote awareness of dogs and cats available for adoption from the county's animal shelter.
State Del. Jimmy Willis, R-Brooke, told the commission the state Legislature has approved additional funding for the fire departments on a one-time basis, but he and others hope to provide long-term financial support in the next legislative session.
He noted funding approved in the recent special legislative session calls for $3 million to be distributed for fire departments in high-population areas, $3 million to be divided among departments supported in part by county levies and $6 million to go to the state's remaining departments.
The money will come from excess lottery funds and not from an increase in the state tax on fire insurance premiums that would have created a more permanent source of revenue for the departments.
County Commissioner Tom Diserio, who also is a volunteer firefighter, said while that needs to be addressed, "That's a huge deal, that's it's now a budgeted item."
Willis said the money can be used for training and equipment; two areas many local fire officials say have become quite expensive.
Commission President A.J. Thomas asked if additional funds may be available to emergency medical units within fire departments that often respond to medical calls before local ambulance squads.
Willis said there are not and an attempt to boost funding for all emergency medical services failed, but he also expects that to be revisited.
Earlier this year, Brooke County Commissioners visited Charleston to push for more state funding for first responder units and the county's own ambulance service.
In addition to a portion of revenue from state fire insurance premiums, the county's 10 volunteer and paid fire departments receive $44,795 each year from a five-year levy approved by voters.
The county's five-year emergency services levy, introduced by the commission and approved by voters last year, is slated to generate $180,000 per year for its ambulance service.
The commission also heard from resident Carri Welsh, who suggested the county's animal shelter make more use of its Facebook page.
Welsh said she's learned the shelter is crowded at this time, which could be remedied by posting more available dogs and cats on Facebook.
She acknowledged the shelter has used the PetFinder web site for that purpose, and its Facebook page has drawn about 7,000 followers.
But Welsh said administrators behind Facebook pages for shelters in neighboring Jefferson and Hancock counties have made more frequent posts, drawing about 53,000 followers and 17,000 followers, respectively.
She said the posts could also include information for pet owners or humorous "memes" but would help to keep the shelter in people's minds.
Welsh acknowledged posts can draw negative public comments but that's something many Facebook users take in stride.
"I think there's much more positive that can come from it," she said.
Thomas said it's something the commission will consider. He added that various county departments have Facebook pages, and the question has risen as to whether there should be a countywide social media policy to regulate their use.
In other business, the commission:
• Revised its budget to reflect the issue of $50,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, the second half of a final $100,000 allotted to the county through the federal program.
Thomas said the funds will be reserved for water and sewer projects pursued by the Brooke County, Hammond or Washington public service districts, noting about $4 million in ARPA funds have been allocated for such projects.
They include the refurbishment of water tanks serving the Washington Pike Public Service District, pump replacement and restoration for sewer customers in the Mahan Lane area served by the Brooke County Public Service District and the extension of sewer lines by the district to unserved homes along St. John's Road.
In related business, Thomas said the commission can't disburse ARPA funds to the city of Wellsburg for its water treatment system.
But he said the commissioners recently joined city officials in a meeting with Willis and representatives of U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., to explore options available for water improvements.
In 2021, the city was awarded $1.1 million ARPA funds while embarking on nearly $3 million in improvements to its water treatment system.
• Approved a resolution declaring the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle its lead economic development agency and a $39,675 allocation for it.