Brooke Commission receives bids on safety equipment
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WELLSBURG - Brooke County officials are hoping to move forward with the purchase of several pieces of equipment for the county’s safety services.
Commissioners, during their regular meeting Tuesday, opened bids for the potential purchase of handheld narcotics analyzers and dash-mounted cameras, both for the Brooke County Sheriff’s Department.
"We received two bids," County Clerk Kim Barbetta said, noting one bid each had been received for each of the requested purchases.
The county received a bid from Thermo Fisher Scientific for the narcotics analyzer, at a proposed purchase price of $21,385.
Commission President Tom Diserio explained the proposed price was good until Dec. 25.
The second proposal opened Tuesday was for the purchase of 18 dash-mounted cameras, from Safe Fleet, at a total cost of $258,775.
Acting Chief Deputy Kyler Ferguson offered an explanation on the proposal.
"It was for a dual-mounted dash cam and license plate reader," Ferguson said, later recommending the county approve the proposal without a wireless microphone package.
Diserio indicated the purchases are part of requests made by the sheriff’s department to use a portion of the county’s opioid settlement funds, and could be brought up for a vote at the commission’s meeting next week.
Commissioners will meet in regular session at 10:30 a.m., Nov. 4, moving the meeting as a result of the general election.
A third discussed purchase is anticipated to be rebid as adjustments are made to which agencies will be receiving the equipment.
The county previously had discussed seeking bids from Brooke County Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management for the purchase of new automated external defibrillator systems; however, officials now are seeking to add the sheriff’s department and each of the county’s fire departments to the order.
"We’re trying to do a bigger package," noted Barbetta.
The proposal would include five AEDs with covers for the EMS/EMA, 18 for the Brooke County Sheriff’s Department and 20 for the county’s firefighters. This number could change based on pending discussions, though.
County Prosecutor Allison Cowden recommended the matter be brought up at the next Firefighters Association meeting, set for Nov. 9, to see how many of the devices might be needed.
County EMA Director Greg Moore noted there are some available to his agency, but they are in need of replacement.
"They’re coming to the end of their life," he said.
In other business Thursday, commissioners:
Approved an agreement for group health insurance with USI Insurance Services LLC;
Took under advisement a request for support from the Northern Panhandle Conservation and Development Council, saying more information is needed;
Held a 50-minute executive session, in part with members of the Brooke Hills Park and Recreation Commission, to discuss pending legal issues. No decision was announced, but Diserio recommended further discussion be held by both the commission and the park board on the possibility of a levy;
Approved a list of poll workers for the upcoming election;
Announced representatives of Assure America and Maverick Litigations will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Friday, on the old courthouse’s third floor, to meet with county employees about outstanding health insurance claims.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)