BIDS OPENED — The Brooke County Commission opened a bid package Tuesday for heavy equipment that may be used in the event of a flood or other emergency. The panel also discussed complications arising from the issue of state funds for emergency medical responders. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — The Brooke County Commission is among those in West Virginia seeking clarification on state funds awarded to each county for salaries for emergency medical responders.

This summer, county commissions learned the West Virginia Legislature had allocated $10 million to an Emergency Medical Services Salary Enhancement Fund, with the money to be distributed to counties throughout the state.

Gov. Jim Justice and other supporters of the fund stated the intention was to help counties retain trained emergency medical personnel, citing a shortage in many areas of the state.

Brooke County was awarded $125,581 through the fund.

County Commissioner Stacey Wise said while the intentions were good, it’s caused some complications for county officials.

“The state legislature said it was to be used temporarily for salaries but that’s not permitted by state code,” she said, adding the State Auditor’s Office also appears to be waiting for more information from the state Legislature.

Wise said a rise in salaries for emergency medical personnel also means an increase in the federal payroll tax matched by the county and retirement benefits covered by it.

She said some counties haven’t used the state funds because they can’t afford the additional costs.

Commission President A.J. Thomas said to meet those costs, the county will need to draw on general funds outside the county ambulance service’s budget.

Thomas said to date, the county’s portion of the state funds hasn’t been touched and it’s not clear if there’s a deadline to use it.

He said leaders of the County Commissioners’ Association of West Virginia and others are seeking answers to such questions.

Thomas said before the state funds were issued, the commission was asked to submit such information as the pay scales for its ambulance staff and any levy money generated for the county’s ambulance services.

He said state officials also asked whether the ambulance service served a rural or urban area and whether the county bordered other states.

Thomas said the latter question seemed to be spurred by a concern that local paramedics, emergency medical technicians and others could be drawn away to neighboring states that offer more pay.

He said through the same fund, the state also awarded $18,181 for crisis response services. He said that involves support provided by ambulance staff to other first responders, such as hydration to firefighters responding to an intensely hot structure fire.

In other business, the commission:

• Approved a purchase of about $53,000 in computer equipment, including laptops and servers, for several county offices from Global Science and Technology of Fairmont.

• Tabled, for review, a bid package from Keith Yost Excavating of Wellsburg detailing various rates for assorted equipment and labor that may be used in the event of an emergency.

• Was presented by Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Doug Mills prices for an X-ray and other security equipment to be used in the new judicial center after receiving no response to an advertisement for bids.

The commission took no action on the matter.