Craig Howell VEHICLE CHANGE – Brooke County commissioners agreed to make some changes to the county's fleet Tuesday, advertising for a new car for use by the Compliance Department, and to move a Chevy Tahoe currently used by that department to the county animal shelter.

WELLSBURG – Brooke County commissioners are making a few adjustments to the county’s fleet of vehicles.

“I think what we’re looking to do is add an additional vehicle to the animal shelter,” Commissioner Tom Diserio said during Tuesday’s meeting.

Commissioners agreed to advertise for bids for the purchase of one vehicle, which will be used by the compliance department, the department organized to track and address property maintenance issues in the county. That department’s current vehicle, identified by commissioners as a Chevy Tahoe, then will be transferred to the animal shelter for its use.

Officials said the goal is to provide a vehicle with additional space for the animal shelter to assist with transports.

“The dog warden/humane officer has calls to go on,” Commissioner Christina White said, noting there may be instances where that individual is in the field and is asked to pick up an animal or purchase supplies.

Commissioners said the plan is to get a smaller vehicle for the compliance department’s use.

When questioned by representatives of the animal shelter, commissioners noted the shelter would be responsible for any maintenance to the Tahoe.

“There would have to be a correction to your budget,” Diserio said.

In other business, the commission continues to review requests for the county’s share of opioid settlement funds, with County Clerk Kim Barbetta noting she had provided commissioners with copies of all applications received for their review.

Brooke County has received approximately $1.1 million through the settlement funds, with nine agencies or organizations to date applying for a share. The requests currently total almost $1.7 million.

Barbetta also noted Tuesday was the final day to register to vote or change voter registration in order to participate in West Virginia’s May 12 primary election, with early voting set to take place April 29 to May 9.