The highlight of the Pendleton County Fiscal Court meeting was the presentation to Damian Landrum for his actions that saved the life of his grandfather, Shelby Stephens.
Both 78th District Representive Mark Hart and Judge Executive David Fields presented Landrum with citations noting his heroic actions.
District 3 Magistrate Darrin Gregg introduced Landrum and told a little of the story. “Months ago, there was a fire on U.S. 22 at Shelby Stephens’s. His chimney caught on fire late at night and, as teenagers are to do, Damian Landrum was on his cellphone when he noticed it.
“He woke Shelby up and they got out of the house. You literally saved Shelby’s life,” he told Landrum.
In court action, they approved the following actions:
Approved additional bank accounts for the CDGB Utility Grant and the American Rescue Plan Act. The former will be used to reimburse utility bills for qualified residents of Pendleton County. The account cannot be an interest bearing account and is expected to be for $120,000. The latter is anticipatory funds that will be coming from the federal government. Fields said, “It is suppose to be $2.8 million dollars but we have not received any information on it.”
Gregg followed up with that half of the $2.8 million would come this year with the remainder coming next year.
“We will have to bid it out once we receive directions on it,” said Fields.
Approved resolution to accept $962,346.37 for the 2021-22 County Road Aid Agreement.
Approved contract with Barth Johnson to mow at Cedar-Line Nature Preserve. It was for $125 for first mowing and $85 each mowing after.
Approved the renewal of Ameri-Flex for administration of the county HRA accounts.
“There is no agreement but done on-line,” said Fields who stated the costs would be $235 annually and $100 monthly.
Approved the bid from Morton Salt for county road salt.
“One salt mine was closed and they have to replace 100 million tons of salt,” explained Fields on the reasoning for the cost to rise from 97. for 800 tons from last year’s $69 per ton.
He also confirmed that while Morton is locked into this price, the court is not locked into having to buy 800 tons or from just Morton.
“We can use local if we find a price to beat it,” said Fields.
Approved the reapointment of Dan Bell and Scott Sharp to the airport board.
Approved the contract with Homeland Security for a remote CAD position. Fields explained that it would allow dispatch to operate anywhere in the county and stays in the county. He added that he thought there was a 10 percent match of the $5,391 grant but could not find it anywhere in the paperwork.
The court passed a motion to not extend the Covid Paid Leave Act. Fields explained that “if any employee got covid, they’d get paid while off. We extended it once, and it is not a requirement.”
He added that no county employee was presently out for covid reasons.
The court went into closed session for the possiblity of hiring a county employee. Upon returning from the meeting a motion was made and passed to hire Johnny McLaughlin as county employee.
District 4 Rick Mineer stated, “I want to stress that he gets his CDL licence. This could put the county in a hardship.”
Gregg asked for an update on the Eagle View and Hardin Roads being added to the county road maintenance plan.
Fields answered that they are waiting to find the center lines.
Gregg informed the court that a gentleman was going to find the centerlines and not charge the county.
He also asked for the paperwork to develop a speed limit for roads.
District 2 Magistrat Josh Plummer asked what he could do to help Amy Court move along too.
Fields said “I am waiting on the other two roads and submit them all at one time to the state to receive their road numbers.”
Fiscal court takes action on numerous agenda items
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