County legislative body to choose new mayor by month’s end

The interim mayor conducted the proceedings Monday evening as the Lewis County Board of Commissioners convened in their first meeting since the passing of former Lewis County Mayor Kenneth Turnbow.

Interim Mayor Jonah Keltner called for a moment of silence to pay respect to Mayor Turnbow and to allow silent prayers for his family before the business meeting began.

A permanent mayor will be chosen by the Commission on November 30, 2009.  The procedure is outlined in an advertisement on B • 5 of the print edition, November 19, 2009.

In a related note, Interim Mayor Keltner was granted a leave of absence by the Lewis County Schools Director Benny Pace who informed the School Board on November 10, 2009.

Keltner said Wednesday he had not taken the leave but was interested in the appointment as mayor for the remainder of the term until August 31, 2010.

Judge Bill Townsend with Interim Mayor Jonah Keltner following a swearing-in ceremony at Lewis County Court House

Minutes were approved from the October meeting unanimously and September’s minutes were ammended.  A statement was added to explain why the Board chose a higher bid when purchasing surveillance cameras and equipment for the Lewis County Jail.  A bid from Hiscall, Inc. was accepted at $51,462.63 over the lower bid of $38,827.00 from  the Nimmo Group based on past performance of the Nimmo company.

The amendment passed unanimously.

No one from the public offered input and reports were heard from each committee.

Reporting for the Budget Committee was Commissioner Darrell Runions, for the Public Safety Committee Commissioner Brian Peery and for the Solid Waste Committee, Commissioner Jason Haygood.

Re-appointed to the Park/Conservation Board was Adam Barnes.  A retainer fee for the Lewis County Attorney was established at $500 per month with some discussion.  David Peluso serves as the County Attorney.

A show of hands killed the issue of whether or not to have county owned property near the Industrial Park on Highway 20 appraised.  Commissioners were against the sale of the house and acreage, yet when the matter was dropped, murmurs and open discussion followed as Commissioners considered the options before Interim Mayor Keltner called for the meeting to continue.

Lewis County’s Commissioners voted unanimously to accept an increase in the Lewis County employee health insurance.  Agents of Record are Terry Carroll and Rick Stevens.

An amendment to a 2007 resolution passed unanimously, 16 to 0, changing the collection of co-pays and fees from inmates at the Lewis County Jail.  Amendments include when an inmate requests the Nurse, the inmate must now pay $5.00.  Another charge for inmates will be $5.00 prescriptions.

A budget amendment passed unanimously for the Civil Defense/Emergency Management building in the Industrial Park.  Amended was $1,000 from the general fund and donated will be $1,000 to be used for making the dispatcher’s line accessible at the new building.

A compensation rate was established for Interim Mayor Keltner and it passed 16 to 0.  A bond was also established for Interim Mayor Keltner.

Budget transfers for the County General Fund and the Drug Fund included an autopsy, public health and welfare.  Budget amendments include $935.00 for an autopsy, $253.19 to be repaid to the State for overpayment from a grant, $10,600.00 for Sheriff departments funding received as donations and transfers within the Sheriff’s Department.

Elected as notaries were Darlene Johns and Carmen James.

Sixteen commissioners were present with Commissioner Mark Graves absent.