NEW CUMBERLAND — The Hancock County Commission is holding off on a proposal to reduce the allotment of funds to the county Parks and Recreation Board until commissioners can review a plan by parks officials to become more self-sustaining.

Commissioners were presented with a proposal during their meeting Thursday, which would reduce the park board’s annual allotment from $48,000 to $14,400.

Commissioner Jeff Davis explained the reason behind the proposal is because the commission is taking over responsibility for grass maintenance at county facilities on Gas Valley Road through the recent hiring of a part-time employee.

“The commission is going to absorb that,” Davis said.

Davis said, though, if the reduction does happen, he doesn’t want the amount set in stone, asking other commissioners to be willing to provide additional funding if it is needed.

Commissioner Eron Chek explained Parks officials have been developing a plan to become more self-sufficient.

“They’ve had great success at generating revenue,” Chek said, pointing to various fundraisers and events the board has organized in the last year.

Chek recommended tabling the funding proposal until commissioners could meet with Parks officials to review their operational plan.

The commission also approved the county’s 2022 grass cutting bids, with Package 1, Flatts Cemetery, awarded to Hybrid Enterprises at $315 per cut; Package 2, Union and Methodist Cemeteries, to Hybrid Enterprises at $280 per cut; Package 3, Three Springs Cemetery, to Palmeri Contracting at $715 per cut; and Package 4, Cove Valley and Peter Tarr Furnace, to Palmeri Contracting at $360 per cut.

In other business, Hancock County commissioners:

Adjusted poll worker salaries in the county, with Level 1 commissioners and supply clerks at $250; Level 2 commissioners and return clerks at $240; and Level 3 commissioners and poll clerks at $230.

Tabled a website design agreement for the Hancock County Animal Shelter, citing a need for additional information

Approved a proclamation recognizing National Volunteers Week as April 17-23

Approved a proclamation recognizing National Telecommunicators Week April 10-16

Agreed to advertise for bids for the purchase of a vehicle for the animal shelter

Approved bids for repairs to the courthouse roof at a cost of $159,120 by N.F. Mansuetto & Sons. Commissioners noted they are working to obtain grants to assist with the costs.

Agreed to advertise for a position on the county Health Board, with applications due June 3. The term would be from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2027.

Approved the WV Local Government Election and Release Form

Agreed to hire Steve Dixon as a full-time dispatcher, effective April 1.

Tabled a request to designate a signatory of verification requests, noting an individual had not be selected.

Approved a revision to the county’s coal severance budget

Approved a grant agreement with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Children and Families on behalf of the Juvenile Mediation Program

Agreed to purchase equipment for two new police cruisers for the sheriff’s department from Parr Public Safety Equipment at a cost of $13,418.92