Money Ohio County commissioners directed to Wheeling Health Right to expand its mobile unit operations will now be reallocated toward building the agency’s dental services programs.

During their regular meeting on Tuesday morning, commissioners unanimously approved the reallocation of nearly $40,000 to Health Right.

In Dec. 2024, commissioners initially approved a community grant for $36,552 to assist Health Right in increasing the days of service each week provided by its mobile health unit in the community.

Since then, an anonymous donor provided money for the additional mobile unit hours. In addition, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed off on providing additional funding to free and charitable clinics who have mobile units.

Last month, Anne Ricci, the new executive director of Wheeling Health Right, asked if those dollars could instead be reallocated toward building up the dental services programs provided by the agency.

Commission President Zach Abraham said he later asked Ricci if dental services could be provided through the mobile unit. He learned from her that an opportunity for providing more dental care through the mobile unit did exist.

“We’re trying to get health care into the most remote areas of Ohio County. That is why we did what we did,” Abraham explained.

Commissioner Randy Wharton said he “really, really liked the idea” of Health Right taking its services into the community.

He reminded those present the community grant given to Wheeling Health Right wasn’t a hotel-motel tax grant, but one coming from the commission’s general fund that has different constraints and requirements. He suggested the commissioners sit down and create a better policy for awarding community grants.

“I went to Health Right, and apparently what they are looking for is an annual contribution for general operations,” Wharton said. “I’m not opposed to that, but I think we need to think through it and talk it out.”

Abraham agreed, but added the money already has been approved for Health Right this year.

“For this particular time, I would be in favor of that (reallocation),” he said.

County Administrator Randy Russell noted “the money is still committed to Health Right, and it’s to a good cause.”

“I’m OK with reallocating it,” added Commissioner Don Nickerson, who participated in the meeting via Zoom. “I just want to make it clear. We’re just doing this now for this year? Is that correct?”

Abraham said that was correct.

The commissioners will next meet at 8 a.m. on Dec. 16 at the City-County Building, 1500 Chapline St., Wheeling.