OFFERING SERVICES — Matthew Chapman of the Rawle and Henderson law firm has approached the Brooke County Commission about assisting in updating county policies in connecting with the operations of the county’s humane officer position. -- Craig Howell

WELLSBURG — Brooke County officials will hold a meeting next week to allow discussion — including from the public — on concerns related to the operations of the county humane officer and the animal shelter.

County commissioners scheduled a meeting for 11 a.m. next Tuesday — immediately following the next regular commission meeting — to discuss issues recently expressed related to the authorities of the county humane officer position, and how the individual filling the post interacts with the animal shelter, sheriff’s department and county prosecutor’s office.

“It affects more departments than just one,” Commission President A.J. Thomas said.

Commissioners, in recent weeks, had received a proposal from Matthew Chapman, of the Rawle and Henderson law firm, about the potential to review existing county policy in the matter in order to provide an update and ensure a proper interdepartmental flow.

Chapman, who was in attendance for Tuesday’s commission meeting, said, if brought on for the project, he could begin within the next two weeks, intending to review all policies and meet with other county officials.

Thomas said they want to make sure policies are properly vetted as part of the process, noting it would be imperative for all parties to sit down together.

“The worst thing we can do is pass a policy that can’t be followed,” Thomas said.

County Prosecutor Allison Cowden agreed a meeting was needed, recommending it be open to the public, saying there appear to be mutual concerns among several of the departments and county officials as to interactions between the humane officer and county departments.

The current humane officer, appointed in August, also is a county sheriff’s deputy.

“The current manner in how this is being done is not working” Cowden said.

No action, beyond setting the meeting, was taken by commissioners Tuesday.

Also part of Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners:

• Approved a series of in-house budget transfers affecting the special projects account, elections, and the salary/tax/retirement account;

• Agreed to pay a bill of $3,984 to Casto Technical Services for a maintenance agreement at the courthouse;

• Approved the resignation of Gregory Parker from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, effective Sept. 11;

• Approved a request on behalf of the Wellsburg Applefest Committee to use the parking lot behind the courthouse on Oct. 4 for the Applefest Car Show. As part of the car show, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., vehicles on 6th Street between Main Street and Charles Street will be limited to car show participants and emergency vehicles.

• Agreed to a memorandum of understanding for the deposit of public funds — in the amount of $3,300,000 — with Main Street Bank.