Jail Closing To Cost Ohio County $220,000 Annually
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WHEELING -- The upcoming closure of the Ohio County Jail by the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation will cost the county $220,000 in annual rental revenue, County Administrator Randy Russell told county commissioners Tuesday.
On the other hand, the county will avoid an estimated $750,000 in immediate repairs and upgrades that would have been needed to keep the facility operating, Russell said.
The jail, located at 1501 Eoff St. in downtown Wheeling, is expected to close Sept. 30. Current inmates and staff will be transferred to other facilities and positions within the state corrections system.
Russell said the county received $220,000 annually from the state as rent for the facility.
"We were responsible for paying the utility bills and maintaining the facility," he said. "If the DOC were to keep it open, we would probably have had to spend $750,000 on repairs and do some upgrades.
"Now we don't have to do the repairs."
County officials are considering what to do with the building once it is vacated.
"You have to remember it was built as a jail and has (fortification) components built into its infrastructure," Russell said. "It's not easy to move things around.
"Maybe we can use it as storage. But can we reconfigure the walls?"
Once the facility is vacated, the county plans to bring in a professional to evaluate the building and determine potential uses for the space, Russell said.
According to information from the state DOC, 54 low-security inmates were housed at the facility as of Friday. They are being moved to facilities operating below capacity, while jail staff members will transition to other positions within the state DOC.
New Circuit Clerk Introduced
Commissioners also were introduced Tuesday to new Ohio County Circuit Clerk Ella McCardle, who was appointed by county judges to succeed Brenda Miller. Miller retired Aug. 28.
McCardle previously worked in the Circuit Clerk's Office for eight years before serving as administrative assistant to Circuit Judge David Sims.
"I hope I can make it a great place to work, and hopefully keep employees for a very long time," she told commissioners. "It is a great place to work.
"I didn't want to leave (the Circuit Clerk's Office) when I left, but it was such a great opportunity."
Russell also announced Jennifer Hastings has been hired as executive assistant for the Ohio County Commission. She will assume many of the duties previously handled by former county project manager Melissa Marco, who left to take another position, Russell said.
The county received 31 resumes from applicants for the position.
Commissioners will next meet at 8 a.m. Sept. 22 at the City-County Building, 1500 Chapline St., Wheeling.