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ELKINS -- The Randolph County Commission unanimously approved a funding request from the Whitmer Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of $58,850 during its most recent meeting.
Whitmer Fire Department Captain Jon Turner told Commissioners David Kesling, Cris Siler and Chris See that the money request was to help finish most of the work needed in a new building his department recently built.
"As you know, we installed a new building a couple years ago, and after we did, we had an unexpected expense with a fire suppression system that was like $58,000 or $59,000," Turner said. "We were fortunately able to cover about 60% of that, but we had to take money from some of our other projects."
A 20×30 training room, which would also be utilized for a shelter, an office space, a bunk room, an emergency exit on second story, and a handicap accessible shower, were the projects money had to be taken from.
"Our long-term goal is to become a Red Cross Shelter, and the shower is something we have to have for that," Turner said. "Not sure of what the exact cost of all that would be, but that is some of the expenses we have left that is keeping the building from being 100% done."
Siler asked Turner if, should the Commission gave the Whitmer Fire Department the money back that was spent on the suppression system, would they be able to get back to work on those other projects. Turner answered, "Yeah, definitely significantly, yes."
Kesling told Turner Commissioners has been wanting to help the WVFD with the completion of their building, but were unsure where they could take the money from.
"We've been meaning to help you with this, it was just a matter of finding the proper funding for it," Kesling said. "We met with our Opioid Committee, and because you are going to use part of the building as a shelter, and with what you are wanting to do with the Red Cross, they (Opioid Committee) approved the money for you. So we are just looking for final approval today from us."
The next Randolph County Commission meeting will be at the Wees Annex Meeting Room on Feb. 20 at 1:30 p.m.