ADDITION — Brooke County commissioners Tuesday approved a proposal to purchase and have installed a new remote kill/activation switch as part of security measures at the county’s judicial annex. -- Craig Howell

WELLSBURG — The Brooke County commissioners plan to upgrade security measures at the county’s judicial annex.

Among items presented to commissioners during their meeting Tuesday was a service agreement with i-Tech for the installation of a remote kill/activation switch for the door in the annex.

The project is set to cost $2,521.60.

Commissioner Tom Diserio explained a similar system is in place for the main courthouse, with a sheriff’s deputy having the ability to lock the building’s doors in the event of an emergency.

If such a situation were to arise, security officers at the annex would only need to hit a button.

“This will allow officers at the judicial annex to lock it down,” Diserio said.

Sheriff Rich Beatty expressed his appreciation for the measure.

“In light of today’s environment, it’s absolutely necessary,” Beatty said.

The judicial annex, located next to the county courthouse, was opened in March 2024 to be home for circuit, magistrate and family courts in Brooke County, as well as the offices of the county prosecutor and probation department.

911 Director Christina White noted a similar control panel previously had been available in the county’s 911 Dispatch Center.

In other business Tuesday, commissioners approved the hiring of Alexis Dawson and Heather Miller as part-time emergency medical technicians, at the request of EMS/EMA Director Greg Moore, to begin Oct. 15 at a pay rate of $21.50 per hour.

“This will be pending background checks and physicals,” Moore said, noting a drug screening will be conducted.

Commissioners also approved a budget revision of $2,902 from revenues to expenditures, with county Clerk Kim Barbetta explaining she would like to make such revisions on a quarterly basis, received an invoice for reimbursement of spay and neuter services of $900 and set trick-or-treat hours for unincorporated areas of the county for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 30.

It was announced the Brooke County Courthouse will be closed Monday in observance of Columbus Day.