KINGWOOD — Progress is being made with repairs at the Preston County Sheriff’s Office, according to Joe Larew, county facility manager.
During last week’s commission meeting, members of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association voiced concerns about working conditions in the building that were caused by a water line break in December. The water break flooded the building with 700,000 gallons of water.
Larew told county commissioners Tuesday that Edison Electric has ordered new breaker boxes for the building, and all of the electrical work on the first floor has been completed.
“The state fire marshal made a surprise emergency visit today and said there is no electrical dangers to employees or workers. He found no dangerous conditions to employees,” Larew said. “As we all know, progress is slow but it is all up to code.”
Larew said the drop-ceiling is now in place, the first floor has been painted and the flooring is being put back down.
“There is a lot of extra jobs that need to be done,” he said. “Anything you want prices on, they (contractors) have. They haven’t started on the basement yet, but they are moving to the kitchen. The sheriff decided not to replace several floors in rooms that wasn’t damaged.”
Larew said work will soon start on the installation of the sprinkler system and fire alarm system.
In other business, Commissioner Don Smith said Prosecuting Attorney Jay Shay asked about upgrading mileage based on the GSA and IRS recommendations, which is 65.5 cents per mile.
Smith said it was just a matter of writing a policy letter, which he would be willing to do. Commission President Samantha Stone said commissioners would look into it.
The PSD 1 expansion meeting has been moved to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 11.
Commission approved the hiring of Macy Likens as a full-time deputy circuit clerk to work in the court room. The position pays $13.31 per hour.
The next meeting of the Preston County Commission will be 9:30 Sept. 12.
