Photo by Craig Howell Brooke County commissioners, this week, agreed to apply for a state grant in support of planned security updates at the county courthouse.

WELLSBURG – Brooke County commissioners are hoping to be able to upgrade the security at the county courthouse, agreeing this week to apply for a state grant in support of the efforts.

Commissioners voted 2-0, Tuesday, to apply for a Courthouse Security Grant offered through the State of West Virginia Division of Administrative Services. The state Court Security Fund was established to provide grants for the enhancement of security of county court facilities, with applications limited to county commissions.

“We’re going to try to put in for as much as possible,” Commissioner Stacey Wise explained following the meeting.

Wise and Commissioner Christina White approved the proposal to apply for the grant, with Commissioner Tom Diserio not in attendance Tuesday.

“Last year, we submitted an application, and they did not hand out funds,” explained County Clerk Kim Barbetta.

Wise explained the county had applied for $50,000 last year, but had not been informed of any funding ceiling for this year’s applications.

Commissioners will be working with county department heads over the next few days to finalize a wish list of upgrades and total cost as part of their application, which Wise said will be submitted by the end of the week.

Capt. Kyler Ferguson of the Brooke County Sheriff’s Department noted there are several potential upgrades needed in both the Brooke County Courthouse and the Judicial Annex, saying he would like to see it done as soon as possible.

“We need new equipment to protect the people who work in these buildings,” Ferguson said, adding some items are now considered beyond their useful life, with some no longer working properly.

Wise said, whether the county receives the funding or not, commissioners will look to find ways to provide the updates needed.

“We’re working on it,” Wise said. “It’s something we won’t let linger.”

In other business, Tuesday, commissioners approved a request to hire Anna Long as a part-time EMT, beginning May 15, with EMS/EMA Director Greg Moore explaining the employment will be for the summer; approved the Brooke-Hancock Joint Local Emergency Planning Committee Memorandum of Understanding; recognized the promotions of Cpl. Kenneth A. Shuman to the rank of sergeant and Sgt. Devin Baker to lieutenant in the Brooke County Sheriff’s Department; approved a series of in-house budget transfers and funding requests from the Follansbee Volunteer Fire Department, Colliers Volunteer Fire Department, and the Weirton Fire Department.

Commissioners also approved two proclamations: one in recognition of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month and one for Foster Care Awareness Month.

The commission’s next meeting will be at 10:30 a.m., May 14, as a result of the West Virginia Primary being May 12.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)