| The Calhoun Commission approved a lease with the Town of Grantsville to use the courthouse annex (old jail) for town offices, using a trade-off deal. Efforts are being made to install a new heating and cooling system in the building.
The commissioners re-elected Larry McCallister as commission president for 2005. McCallister is on the board of the WV County Commissioners Association.
Budget Digest requests will be made for $12,000 for bleachers at Wayne Underwood Field; $10,000 for improvements on county park barn; $10,000 for completion of new 911 center; $10,000 to assist Calhoun EMS purchase an ambulance; $5,000 for Calhoun Wood Festival; $25,000 for new police cruisers.
The commission is also supporting Budget Digest grants for the county's three fire departments.
A review of other grants, including the completion of a walking trail at Wayne Underwood Field, a courthouse security grant which could include outside lighting and locks, a Little Kanawha RC & D grant application, and assistance from Sisters of St. Joseph Charities for work on Wayne Underwood Field.
The commission discussed the low-interest financing of a new ambulance for Calhoun EMS and a new police cruiser for the Sheriff's Department. Both vehicles have about 200,000 miles and are requiring major repair.
A report was given regarding work on the new 911 center at Mt. Zion, with projects being completed by several volunteers.
The commission will have a Board of Equalization on February 1 at 9 a.m. in addition to the regular meeting. Taxpayers who have requests for tax review can contact Richard Kirby, County Clerk, and the commission will hear such requests in a continuation of the February meeting during the month.
The commission will sit as a Board of Equalization and Review on oil and gas tax problems on February 15 at 9 a.m. Persons with problems should contact the County Clerk several days before the meeting, since oil and gas is essentially handled by the State Tax Department.
A review of members of all boards and committees is underway, including the approval of a new county coroner.
A meeting of the employee handbook committee is scheduled for January 19th at 10 a.m.
A lease agreement was approved with the Little Kanawha Development
Authority.
A draw-down was approved for the Yellow Creek-Back Fork water project.
Betty Price appeared for approval on a road name, to be known as Pine Hollow.
SEE earlier story regarding regional jail costs and budget review. | 
