POMEROY–Grant Morgan, Public Works Director, announced at the September 14 Garfield County Board of Commissioners meeting (BOCC) that the federally-funded road project of the Gould City-Mayview Road is nearing completion. He said there will be some finish work remaining over the next week, but the road will be open to traffic the same day. Morgan also assured the BOCC the soft spots that had caused some difficulty with the road construction were repaired, but if the road was not built correctly, they could reappear by spring.

Danika Gwinn, Program Director with Quality Behavioral Health (QBH), indicated to the BOCC the Main Street office is planning a soft re-opening providing most services on September 28, 2020. The office has been closed due to the COVID-19 shutdown, and services were offered through teleservices. A full opening is expected to occur by Oct. 19, 2020.

A new full-time front office person, Andrew Wade, has been hired to meet and greet the public as well as assist with referrals to other service providers. Wade and Gwinn will meet with the co-CEOs for the Garfield County Hospital District this week to plan for communication and referral services.

Currently, Gwinn stated, QBH is serving four substance abuse patients, 8-16 mental health patients, two children through the wrap-around children’s program, and sexual assault victims whenever the need arises here in Pomeroy. They are hoping that Wade will be able to provide an important connection in the local office to assist the public with referrals to needed services.

Also, some updates are needed to the QBH physical office which includes repair and renovation to the decking at the back entrance, and some signage. The deck is in need of scraping, painting, and possibly some board replacements. The concern with the signage is that the building is identified as the Garfield County Human Services building, but QBH is not really represented as the services provider with any signage. They would like to add some identifying signage on the window, at their own cost. The BOCC gave permission for the signage, and agreed to have County Maintenance personnel look at the deck and make some recommendations. They also agreed to pay for the repairs.

The BOCC unanimously decided not to participate in the Payroll Tax Deferment Program after a call for decision was made by Nikki Smith, Garfield County Auditor’s Office. The federal program is a “tax holiday” which temporarily suspends an employee’s 6.2% share of the Social Security tax, and takes effect September 1, 2020, to continue through the end of the year. The suspended tax amount will have to be repaid through “double withholding” in the first four months of 2021. Employers are not required to participate.

The BOCC approved Pomeroy Assist fourth quarter $3,000 budgeted funding for emergency housing. Rachel Anderson also alerted the BOCC that Pomeroy Assist will need to request $5,500 in December because the mortgage and insurance payment are due early January 2021. Anderson updated the BOCC with improvements being made to the housing units, including adding WiFi service so residents can have access to job applications, and the need for a concrete pad to be poured at the rear entrance to the building. So far, one bid received was higher than desired, and she is hoping for a more moderate solution.

On behalf of the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), Anderson explained about a Community Development Block Grant Program that she is working on that can benefit both the City of Pomeroy and Garfield County with $8,522 each. An additional $1,000 is available through the Department of Commerce grant if both entities participate. The Blue Mountain Action Council is also offering some matching funds to help with utilities and rent. The Dept. of Commerce funds will be able to help individuals with utilities, rent and mortgage payments.

The Alert Sense Emergency and Community Notifications System is now ready for the public to sign up for free participation. However, according to Garfield County Sheriff’s Office E911 Coordinator/Director Tina Meier, RPL, about 48% of people who have signed up have not activated their account properly. For assistance, contact the Sheriff’s office, or visit their facebook page for instructions.

The BOCC approved a raise for Shaniece Korrell, the Garfield County Maintenance worker hired last March. She received a glowing recommendation at the end of her six-month probationary period. Her salary will increase from $17.50 per hour to $18.50 per hour.

The BOCC joined in a joint teleconference meeting with Columbia County BOCC, and representatives from the Washington County Rural Insurance Program (WCRIP). Both counties were seeking information regarding switching insurance carriers to WCRIP from the current risk pool with which they now participate. At last week’s meeting of the Garfield County BOCC, it was revealed that their current risk pool is doubling insurance premiums to $36,996 to $42,000 for the 2020-2021 term, which was already doubled the previous year, and is expected to double once again in the 2021-2022 term to about $80,000. If Garfield County decides to change insurance providers, they have a deadline of September 30, 2020.