Greenbrier Commission approves Mountain Transit Authority funding request, proclaims ‘Public Safety Telecommunications Week’
By Matthew Young, RealWV
AUTHOR’S NOTE: In order to improve flow, and in an effort to group financial business together, agenda items from the April 8 meeting of the Greenbrier County Commission have been reported out of their original order.
LEWISBURG, W.Va. – “Some of the exciting things we’re doing […] we extended the Western Greenbrier route to include Alderson to five days a week.”
That’s what Mountain Transit Authority (MTA) General Manager Tim Thomas told the Greenbrier County Commission on Tuesday. Thomas was on-hand to explain the details of the MTA’s 2025-2026 funding request.
“That’s been ongoing,” Thomas noted. “It’s pretty successful right now, but it’s still a work in progress. There’s a lot of individuals, especially in the elderly community from Alderson Manor, that needed transportation. We were called into a special meeting with them and their management, and we’ve worked on that.”
The Alderson route, Thomas further explained, transports riders into Lewisburg, where it intersects with the MTA’s White Sulphur Springs and Lewisburg routes.
“So they (riders) can go to their medical, shopping, and other needs that they have,” Thomas added.
In addition, according to Thomas, the MTA continues to partner with the Osteopathic School (WVSOM) to transport individuals, including those in recovery, to work training programs.
“Our continued ridership is just blowing through the roof, especially here in Greenbrier County,” Thomas said. “Through February of 2025, 26,000-plus boardings have happened, and that’s way up from last year.”
Regarding future plans, Thomas added, MTA has its sights set on adding a “flex bus” that will travel from the Lewisburg-area to Beckley.
“That’s in the future, pending and praying that the state will give public transit additional monies,” Thomas said.
After several moments of discussion, commissioners unanimously approved MTA’s funding request in the amount of $10,000.
Also before the commission was the consideration of payment resolutions for Phase II of the Sam Black waterline extension project, the Route 60 East sewer project, the Wastewater Treatment Plant disinfection project, and the eighth draw request for the GigReady Broadband project. All but the Sam Black waterline extension are part of the White Sulphur Springs TIF (Tax Incremental Funding) project.
As explained by Region 4 Senior Project Specialist Leslie Taylor and Project Specialist Cassie Lawson, the proposed payment for Phase II of the Sam Black waterline extension was in the amount of $29,636.15, while the Route 60 East sewer project invoices totaled $181,617.80. The payment request for the Wastewater Treatment Plant disinfection project was in the amount of $32,412.56, and the amount of the draw requested for the GigReady Broadband project after the 75% fund-match from the state was $155,435.20.
In other business, commissioners considered and approved the voluntary dismissal of defendants Optum Health Group, as well as parent company UnitedHealth Group, from the opioid litigation identified as Civil Action No. 5:24-CV-142. Commissioner Tammy Tincher then made a motion to table discussion of the recently amended 911 ordinance pending further information.
NOTE: RealWV previously reported that the amended 911 ordinance took effect on Tuesday, March 25. This was incorrect, as the Greenbrier County Commission has not yet established its effective date.
The final business before the commission on Tuesday was the signing of two proclamations: recognizing April 13 – 19 as “National Public Safety Telecommunications Week,” and recognizing April as “County Government Month.”
The first proclamation, as read by Tincher, states in part, “Whereas public safety telecommunicators provide the first critical contact for those in need of emergency services, they are the first of the first responders, and most ascertain the location, nature, and extent of the emergency.”
“In the midst of a person’s crises, and under high pressure, public safety telecommunicators exhibit compassion, empathy, and understanding while maintaining a high degree of professionalism,” the proclamation adds. “Greenbrier County Commission proudly recognizes the dedication and service provided by these men and women.”
The second proclamation, also read by Tincher, partially states, “The nation’s 3,069 counties serving more than 330 million Americans provide essential services to create healthy, safe, and vibrant communities.”
“Whereas counties fulfill a vast range of responsibilities and deliver services that touch nearly every aspect of our residents’ lives,” the proclamation continues. “Whereas Greenbrier County […] has a group of dedicated elected officials to work daily to serve our residents to the best of our abilities to serve our residents to the best of our abilities, while focusing on the future and keeping our historical culture in mind.”
A Special Meeting of the Greenbrier County Commission will be held on Tuesday, April 15, at 9 a.m.
The next Regular Meeting of the Greenbrier County Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, at 10 a.m.
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