County to Spend Nearly $160,000 on New Tasers
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WHEELING -- Deputy sheriffs in Ohio County are getting new Tasers, and it is going to cost the county nearly $160,000.
Ohio County will be purchasing a total of 30 new Axon Tasers for sheriff's deputies at a price of $159,000, County Administrator Randy Russell reported during this week's commission meeting.
"The Tasers that the deputies currently carry are about 10 years old and considered obsolete by the vendor," he said. "The sheriff's department has worked with the vendors to come up with a plan to deliver the Tasers to the county, and the county will make annual payments of $31,684 per year."
Sheriff Nelson Croft explained Axon representatives will not testify in court on behalf of the sheriff's department if there is an incident involving the Tasers.
"As I told you before, this is a basket of laundry that was put on my doorstep," he told commissioners. "That's why we can't buy 10 at a time as we would like to. That is why we are asking for 30 and a payment plan, and we would be covered for any litigation."
The Tasers have a 10-year life span, he confirmed.
Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase, which was already included within the sheriff's department's annual budget.
-- Also this week, commissioners agreed to a lease-purchase agreement with WesBanco to lease five 2026 Chevrolet Tahoes for the sheriff's department. The term will be for 60 months, with payments at about $1,200 per month, according to Russell.
-- Anthony McDaniel, president of the Ohio County Professional Paramedics Association, reminded commissioners that their vehicles are getting older and that it can take 26 to 48 months to purchase an ambulance.
He reported one of the department's two vehicles has traveled over 100,000 miles, and the other is nearing that mark.
"They are great trucks and we've got a great mechanic, but he can only do so much," McDaniel said.
He also addressed the wages paid to paramedics, which are also starting to trail behind those of others in the area.
Ohio County has been operating an EMS service for almost seven years, and the annual pay for paramedics has increased only 5.45 percent over that time, according to McDaniel.
"We would appreciate your keeping an eye on your wages," he continued. "We are now behind other agencies in the area."
-- Chad Francis, representative of the United Mine Workers of America, addressed commissioners on behalf of County 911 dispatchers who are UMWA members.
He explained that on Jan. 26, Ohio County officials called for a snow day in the county, closing offices and permitting most county employees to remain home with pay.
County deputies, who are considered "essential employees," worked the day and received 12 hours of holiday pay for their efforts.
The 911 dispatchers who turned out were only paid straight time, according to Francis. He filed a grievance with the county on behalf of the dispatchers in February seeking the same holiday pay for the dispatchers who worked on Jan. 26.
"Our dispatchers are also essential personnel, and they showed up to work," Francis said. "They kept emergency communications running when the county needed them most.
"They showed up and served the public without hesitation. Because of that, we think they should be treated fairly and compensated equally."
He asked the commissioners to review the matter and act promptly to issue "the proper compensation."
-- West Liberty Police Chief Tristan Painter asked commissioners if they might financially assist West Liberty in purchasing a new police vehicle.
He explained that while the department was a small one, West Liberty University has been increasing in need and size.
"I really think it's needed," Painter said of the police vehicle. "Ours is getting run down. It has close to 100,000 miles on it and we've had some mechanical problems with it."
Solicitor Don Tennant asked if the department responds to incidents on the West Liberty University campus. Painter said there is mutual aid between WLU and the town of West Liberty.
Tennant then asked if he had asked WLU for its assistance in purchasing the vehicle. Painter said he had not, as they remain two separate entities.
The commissioners next meet at 8 a.m. on Sept. 1 at the City-County Building.