There were 135,163 911 calls made to the Raleigh County Emergency Operations Center in 2021, COE spokesman Richard Filipek reported to the Raleigh commission at the regular meeting on Tuesday.

In his annual report to the Commission, Filipek said Beckley Police Department responded to 30,802 calls, Raleigh Sheriff’s Office responded to 21,924 calls, Sophia Police Department 3,251, West Virginia State 2,132, Mabscott Police Department 521, and Lester Police Department 257.

Filipek told Raleigh Commission Chairman Dave Tolliver and Commissioners Linda Epling and Greg Duckworth that Raleigh Sheriff’s agents had carried out 2,825 traffic checks and responded to 521 additional patrol calls, while BPD responded to 7,433 additional patrol calls and carried out 5,314 traffic checks.

There were 1,973 animal control calls.

Of the 5,774 fire calls sent by EOC, Filipek said, the Beckley Fire Department responded to 2,921.

There were 15,025 ambulance calls, he reported.

Filipek added that EOC worked on the Covid response and also set up a disaster simulation for training earlier this year.

“As you can see, we have been very busy,” he concluded.

“It is saying it, moderately,” agreed Tolliver.

The Commission approved a budget review submitted by County Administrator Jay Quesenberry.

A number of offices have undergone revisions including the Commission (from $ 2,977,209 to $ 2,594,039), County Clerk ($ 1,050,140 to $ 1,079,206), Circuit Clerk (1,164,870 $ to $ 1,200,718), Sheriff / Treasurer ($ 697,923 to $ 713,425), Attorney ($ 1,569,784 to $ 1,600,788), Ass ($ 933,499 to $ 979,036), Trustee Supervisor ( $ 183,899 to $ 189,713), Election / County Clerk ($ 415,590 to $ 423,341), Courthouse ($ 1,260,296 to $ 1,278,199), Geographic Information System ($ 100,574 at $ 102,512), Property Rehabilitation ($ 149,144 to $ 154,958), Building Inspection ($ 285,348 to $ 293,099), Transfers / Refunds Based on Audit Findings ($ 293,093 to $ 303,592 ) Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Division ($ 5,207,377 to $ 5,340,110), Sheriff Process Server ($ 138,398 to $ 142,274), Home Containment ($ 195,356 to $ 201,170), Coordinator fire department ($ 75,169) to $ 77,107), central garage ($ 378,300 to $ 382,176), corrective services community activities ($ 605,976 to $ 623,416 W) and waste control ($ 120,171 to $ 124,047).

Only the Commission budget saw a decrease ($ 396,734).

Sheriff’s law enforcement saw the largest increase ($ 132,733) and also had the largest budget.

The Raleigh DA’s office had the second highest budget ($ 1,600,788)

In other actions:

l The Commission approved the payment of $ 13,125 to Gary R. Hall to investigate the incomes of 326 residents who live in the Harper Eccles area. Residents will benefit from the Harper Eccles sewer extension project that the county oversees.

Tolliver said the investigation would correct a federal record that places the average household income in Eccles at $ 44,000. More precise data, collected by Hall, will help the county seek a small town grant.

Tolliver added that four water projects are underway.

l The commission approved a rental protocol in Raleigh Family Court until 2026. The court pays $ 6,200 in rent, Quesenberry said.

l The Commission approved a resolution seeking federal funding of $ 1.5 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission for the development of phase II of the $ 5.2 million Clear Fork Rails to Trails project. Project coordinators also plan to seek funding of $ 500,000 from the Economic Development Administration and the West Virginia Brownfields.

l The Commission has approved an offer from County Raleigh-based Mallimar Corporation for an offer of $ 21,253.50 for the installation of equipment on the sheriff’s cars. At Duckworth’s suggestion, Tolliver voted in favor of the offer to Mallimar because it is a local business. The second company, ESI of Charleston, had the offer last time and had made an offer of $ 21,600 on the current job.

Raleigh Sheriff’s Lt. JL Redden recommended ESI because he said ESI performed well and Mallimar did not properly install the equipment in 2019. Sheriff Scott Van Meter said he wanted ESI as well.

“I have to go with my guy,” Van Meter said. “ESI is doing a good job. “

Duckworth said a $ 100 difference in favor of a local business was fair, and Tolliver said he would give Mallimar another chance.

County attorney Bill Roop said ESI might question why they didn’t get the offer, and the reason is that Mallimar is closer and doesn’t require as much travel.

Epling was in favor of awarding the offer to ESI and did not vote to give the offer to Mallimar.

“I’ll go with ESI,” she said. “It’s not hypothetical.”

l The Commission adopted a resolution to work with the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA), a formality.

l The Commission approved the timetable for the Review and Equalization Board.

l The Commission approved the publication of a Class II legal advertisement for redistribution in the Register-Herald. The announcement will alert the public that the Commission will consider entering the necessary orders regarding changes to the polling stations in Raleigh County’s main districts, based on population changes and in accordance with the 2020 US Census. The change is permanent and will enter into force during the primary elections of May 10, 2022.