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NEW CUMBERLAND -- The Hancock County Commission received an update from the Brooke County Committee on Aging during Thursday’s meeting. Angela Kocher, executive director, attended to present information on the committee’s nutrition program and to ask for funding.
Kocher gave a five-minute presentation with photos and quotes from people involved with the Committee on Aging.
In the last six months, the Committee on Aging served 18,392 meals to 249 Hancock County residents, making up approximately 73 percent of the meals served, according to Kocher. The committee serves food at three locations, including the Hancock House in New Cumberland, and delivers meals to residents’ homes.
The committee is still receiving grant money, but it does not have enough funds to be self-sustaining. The committee did cut three positions, and reduced hours for their nutrition specialist to help manage the organization’s budget.
In August, the county commission donated $15,000, and the committee is asking for $20,000 for this year. Kocher reported the government reimbursement is approximately $2 short per meal to cover the costs of the meal. She also reported the average donation per meal is $1.
Commissioner Jeff Davis asked how much funding for the meals comes from the state. Kocher reported about 70 percent.
The commissioners motioned to make the request a matter of record, and they will discuss it as they work on the county’s budget.
Commissioner Paul Cowey thanked the committee for the work they do and for feeding the county’s seniors.
In other business, the commission:
• Carole Scheerbaum, WVU extension agent, announced she is planning a youth professional development day. Tracy Lemley, county dispatch center director, is helping to plan the networking and informational event for high school juniors. Scheerbaum also announced she is looking to introduce a teen court to the county. Cowey approached her about introducing the program and she is modeling it after the Brooke County teen court which she said has been successful.
• Commissioner Joe Barnabei said the tax bill failed during the state’s legislative session, which he said is good because the bill would have decreased the county’s budget. He acknowledged the bill can still reappear.
• Davis announced the term for one seat on the Tomlinson Public Service District board is expiring, and the commission needs to advertise the position. It will be placed on the next meeting’s agenda.
• Motioned to make a letter from Fred McDonald, director at Lee Day Report Center, requesting support to apply for the fiscal year 2021 community corrections grant a matter of record.
• Approved Scheerbaum’s request to advertise for two summer interns.
• Appointed Mary Thorn to the Hancock County Parks and Recreation Board. Thorn will be filling the final vacancy making it a full board.
• Approved to hire Valerie Brenda and Diva Turkal as part-time employees at the county animal shelter.
• Approved the county’s exoneration orders.
• Approved county commission travel of $236 for Barnabei and $316 for Cowey.
• Approved general county bills of $61,457 and purchase cards of $43,729.
• Approved the bills and requisitions for the animal shelter, library levy and sheltered workshop.
The next meeting will be at 2:30 p.m. on March 12.
(Riedel can be contacted at jriedel@reviewonline.com)