CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) — The Harrison County Commission on Wednesday voted to allocate $600,000 to North Central West Virginia Airport, work with the city of Clarksburg on a recreational project and hand over a small piece of property in Lost Creek to the town for expansion of its community garden.
The commission has also scheduled special meetings for 2 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Monday to review and discuss the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget. Other than a March 2 work session in which constitutional officers presented budget proposals for their offices, Friday will mark the commission’s first discussion of the budget, which is due to the state Auditor’s Office on Monday.
The commission on Wednesday voted 2-1 to “move forward with some type of agreement” between the commission and City Parks of Clarksburg on a pickleball courts and ice skating rink project at Veterans Memorial Park.
Commissioner David Hinkle made a motion that the agenda item be tabled to allow for further discussion. That motion failed.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea to partner with the Clarksburg Park Board,” said Commission President Susan Thomas before making a motion to “move forward with some type of agreement” between the two entities.
County Administrator Laura Pysz recommended moving forward with negotiations.
“It’s going to save us money. It’s going to save on land that we don’t have to use of our own. The infrastructure is already there — the utilities, parking. I think we should move forward and at least try to come to an agreement,” Pysz said.
Hinkle criticized his colleagues on the commission for not discussing the matter further.
“You’re going to enter an agreement that you don’t have a clue of what it is you’re entering into, and you’re going to tell an attorney to write something and we’re not going to discuss the final points or any points on what you want him to do. Before we approve something, can we at least sit down and discuss what we’d like the agreement to say, or is that asking too much, or have you two already decided that?” Hinkle said.
There have been no discussions to date of the cost of the project to the commission. Commissioners previously discussed using the Harrison County Improvement Opportunity Fund created with the Vital Services Levy approved by voters in January that will go into effect on July 1. That fund will bring in up to $700,000 per year over the life of the five-year levy.
On Feb. 2, the commission voted 2-1, with Hinkle opposed, to begin the 5G bidding process on the ice skating rink and pickleball court, a new Animal Control facility and a youth barn complex on July 1.
The commission also voted in favor of paying $600,000 to the North Central West Virginia Airport for the “Move the Mountain” Project that would bring a new terminal to the facility.
The Marion County Commission and city of Bridgeport are also expected to consider providing additional funding for the project in the coming weeks.
According to Hinkle, who serves as the commission’s representative on the Benedum Airport Authority, the project costs have increased substantially from early estimates due to the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating fuel and supply costs.
“As commissioner and board member of airport, it was a blessing both counties understand the importance of what we’re doing up there and it’s appreciated they’re still able to fund what we’re doing there,” Hinkle said.
Commissioner Patsy Trecost praised Hinkle and the airport board and leadership on the project.
According to Pysz, the funds will include a $250,000 allocation to the airport already included in the budget from the Coal Severance Fund, and the remaining $350,000 will come from the county’s Financial Stabilization Fund.
The commission unanimously approved a motion allowing attorneys to work out an agreement to deed over a “small lot” owned by the county to the town of Lost Creek. The property is adjacent to the town’s community garden, according to Thomas.
Lost Creek Mayor Dave Oliverio made the request to Thomas, who brought it before the full commission.
“The town of Lost Creek has been maintaining this property for some time — mowing, weed eating and taking care of it. We would continue to do that. Our community garden is currently next to that piece of property. We want to extend that for the citizens of Lost Creek,” Oliverio said. “That seems to be the only piece of property that the county commission has in that area and we can put it to good use for the town of Lost Creek.”
In other business, the commission:
— Approved a $2,000 funding request from the American Red Cross’s Home Fire Campaign, which provides disaster response services to individuals affected by house fires.
— Presented a proclamation honoring the American Red Cross.