In first meeting after Tincher’s resignation, Greenbrier Commission approves $150k for GigReady Broadband Project

By Matthew Young, RealWV

LEWISBURG, W.Va. – In their first Regular Meeting of the post Tammy Tincher era, the Greenbrier County Commission, on Monday, approved the sole bid received for the county’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management tower maintenance contract. Submitted by Lewisburg’s Greenbrier Technologies and Electric, the bid consists of a $4,950 annual fee, a $90 emergency service hourly fee, and a travel reimbursement fee of $0.70 per mile. 

“Usually we take these bids and review them, but I’ll make the recommendation that we approve the contract, pending that everything is in proper order,” Commission President Lowell Rose said. “That way we don’t have to go back through it again.”

Region 4’s Amanda Smarr next appeared, via Zoom, before the commission, to discuss the 15th draw request related to the Greenbrier GigReady Broadband project. 

“This one has an invoice to CityNet for make-ready work,” Smart explained. “The total invoice amount is $149,138.72.”

Of the total, $37,284.69 is the matching amount that the commission is required to pay, using available TIF (Tax Increment Funding) funds. $111,854.03 will then be requested from state-provided grant funding. After confirming that the county is currently being asked to pay their required matching amount, both commissioners approved payment of the full draw request, with the expectation that the state will reimburse their portion.

Cassie Lawson of Region 4 next appeared, also via Zoom, to discuss payment resolution #9 for the White Sulphur Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant Disinfection project. 

“This resolution only includes one invoice,” Lawson said. “It includes pay-estimate #8 for Veritas Contracting – the construction contractor for the project, in the amount of $1,150.50.”

Payment resolution #9, Rose noted, is also payable from available TIF funding. The resolution was approved by the commission with no further discussion. 

Lawson next explained payment resolution #4, related to the Wastewater Storage Tank in White Sulphur Springs, saying, “This resolution also includes only one invoice.”

“We’re asking to reimburse the town for expenses associated with securing their DOH bond, necessary for the project,” Lawson added. “That’s in the amount of $1,000, again requested of the TIF fund.”

The commission once again approved the request.

In other business, commissioners:

• Authorized the City of White Sulphur Springs to advertise for bids for the Maple Dale Water Storage Tank TIF Project, to add a storage tank, thus relieving pressure traveling up Route 92.
• Authorized the City of White Sulphur Springs to award the contract for the Ridges TIF Project, to the lowest bidder, for the amount of $745,475.53. C2G Engineering, Inc. was the lowest bidder.
• Appointed Jordan Ross to the board of directors, for PSD 2, as of December 31.
• Awarded the county’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office’s “managed service provider” contract to Greenbrier Technologies and Electric, for the monthly fee of $4,336, with a one-time fee of $2,344.25.
• Granted Greenbrier County Homeland Security and Emergency Management the authority to apply for HMGP (Hazard Mitigation Grant Program) grant funding. 

With the resignation of former Commissioner Tammy Tincher, the two remaining commissioners reappointed themselves to the various boards which commissioners are required to serve. Going forward until such time as an interim commissioner is appointed, Rose will serve on the Greenbrier County Board of Health, the Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Board, Region 4 Planning and Development, and the Greenbrier Humane Society. Commissioner Richie Holliday will serve on the Airport Authority, the Greenbrier County Extension 4H Advisory Board, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Greenbrier County Planning Commission. The two commissioners will also split the responsibilities of the Local Emergency Planning Commission, the Region 1 Workforce Local Elected Officials Board, the Emergency 911 Advisory Board, and the Greenbrier County Farmland Protection Board.

Commissioners next completed the required second reading of the proposed “Greenbrier County Property Nuisance Ordinance.” As stated by County Attorney Britt Ludwig, the second reading satisfies the public reading requirements. With no further discussion, commissioners adopted the ordinance. 

Prior to adjourning, Rose announced that a request for proposals (RFP) has been issued for the roof-replacement project at the Greenbrier County Day Report Center. All proposals are due by November 20, at 4 p.m.

The next Regular Meeting of the Greenbrier County Commission is scheduled for Friday, November 21, at 10 a.m.