MERCER COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2025 – 10:00 Α.Μ.
AGENDA: OPEN WITH PRAYER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PROCLAMATIONS/RESOLUTIONS CONTRACTS/AGREEMENTS: ESTATES: FUNDING REQUESTS: DISCUSSION: Proclamation-Great American Smokeout Leslie Hopkins, Director, House of Prayer Resolution Authorizing Expenditures from Opioid Settlement Fund Signage for Sheriff’s Department Bill Archer, President City of Princeton Annexation Request Bill Archer, President Opioid Task Force Grant Application Funding Allocation Greg Puckett, Commissioner French Morgan Princeton Health Care Center American Rescue Plan Funding Request to Change Scope of Project Stefanie Compton, CEO City of Bluefield Holiday of Lights Felicia Holcomb, Executive Assistant A.L.I.V.E. Animal Services Group, Inc. Funding Request for Spay Neuter Services Leisa Moten, President Mercer County Animal Shelter Animal Care Expo-April 2026 Stacey Harman, Director Opioid Committee Additional Board Members Bill Archer, President Matoaka Pavilion & Playground Update Greg Puckett, Commissioner Executive Session Property Matters PUBLIC COMMENTS: COMMISSION TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING:
- Invoices
- Settlements
- Exonerations
- List of Approved Estates for October 2025
RE: WEST VIRGINIA: At a Regular Session of the County Commission, held for the County of Mercer, at the Courthouse thereof, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Present: Bill Archer, President Present: Greg Puckett, Commissioner Present: Brian Blankenship, Commissioner
RE: PROCLAMATION – GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT This day on motion of Bill Archer, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the Proclamation – Great American Smokeout. The Commission proclaims Thursday, November 20, 2025 as Great American Smokeout Day and urges all citizens to observe this day and encourage others to lead tobacco-free lives.
The Mercer County Commission hereby proclaims Thursday, November 20, 2025 as GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT DAY in Mercer County and urges all citizens to observe this day by supporting cessation efforts and encouraging others to lead tobacco-free lives. FURTHER, the Mercer County Commission commends The House of Prayer, Inc., Greater Mount Zion, Shiloh-Place of Worship, Powerhouse Fitness, and Connection to the Connection for their efforts to bring attention to this important health related issue.
RE: RESOLUTION – OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND EXPENDITURES This day on motion of Bill Archer, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship and Greg Puckett, Commissioners, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the Resolution Authorizing Expenditures from Opioid Settlement Fund. The Commission authorizes the use of Opioid Settlement Funds in the amount of $11,968.22 for Mercer County Sheriff’s Department.
ANNEXATION REQUEST – CITY OF PRINCETON RE: This day on motion of Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, seconded by Greg Puckett, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to table this request.
RE: OPIOID TASK FORCE GRANT APPLICATION – FUNDING ALLOCATION This day on motion of Greg Puckett, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the Opioid Task Force Application and to set aside $300,000 towards grant applications. Applicants must be a 501C3 organization to apply for Opioid Settlement Funds.
RE: ESTATES – FRENCH MORGAN This day on motion of Bill Archer, Commissioner, seconded by Greg Puckett, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the copy of the Last Will and Testament of French Morgan be accepted for recordation.
RE: FUNDING REQUEST – PRINCETON HEALTH CARE CENTER This matter has been tabled.
RE: FUNDING REQUEST CITY OF BLUEFIELD – HOLIDAY OF LIGHTS This day on motion of Greg Puckett, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the funding request from the City of Bluefield. Funding in the amount of $5,000 will be taken from Hotel/Motel and used for the Holiday of Lights.
RE: FUNDING REQUEST – A.L.I.V.E. ANIMAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. This day on motion of Greg Puckett, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the funding request from A.L.I.V.E. Animal Services Group, Inc. Funding in the amount of $10,000 will be taken from Video/Lottery and used for Spay/Neuter Services.
RE: FUNDING REQUEST – MERCER COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER – ANIMAL CARE EXPO – APRIL 2026 This day on motion of Greg Puckett, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the funding request from Mercer County Animal Shelter. Funding in the amount of $1,700 will be taken from General County and used for the Animal Care Expo – April 2026 in Pittsburgh.
DISCUSSION:
- Opioid Committee – Additional Board Members – Is it possible to add 2 more Board Members? Possibly include officers.
- Matoaka Pavilion & Playground Update 10×15 waiting on concrete then playground can be installed – hopefully spring 2026.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
- Kathryn Austin – Derek Sargent – Upset that the animal shelter gave his dog away while he was incarcerated. Wants help to get his dog back. Claims that family members contacted the animal shelter to try and get the dog back but they still sent dog to Pennsylvania. Greg Puckett will meet with them at a later date to discuss.
- Alicia Crawford – As of October 2025, 740 students identified as homeless. Light Courthouse purple for the week of November 16-22, 2025.
RE: INVOICES, SETTLEMENTS, EXONERATIONS & APPROVED ESTATES This day on motion of Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, seconded by Greg Puckett, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the following Invoices, Settlement and Exonerations.
RE: EXECUTIVE SESSION This day on motion of Greg Puckett, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to go into executive session. On motion of Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, seconded by Greg Puckett, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to come out of executive session and go back into regular session. No votes were taken during the executive session.
It is ordered that this Commission be and is hereby adjourned until November 25, 2025.
MERCER COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2025 – 3:30 Ρ.Μ.
AGENDA: OPEN WITH PRAYER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING EMPLOYMENT/OATHS OF OFFICE: Mercer County Animal Shelter Resolution-Honoring the Life of Tony Whitlow PROCLAMATIONS/RESOLUTIONS CONTRACTS/AGREEMENTS: Resolution Authorizing Expenditures From Opioid Settlement Fund – Invoice for Electrical Installation at Former DRC Building West Virginia Conservation Agency – Dam & Channel Maintenance Agreement Opioid Task Force – Add Two Members FUNDING REQUESTS: DISCUSSION: EXECUTIVE SESSION Mercer County Sheriff’s Department – Purchase Two Replacement Police Vehicles Katie’s Heart Animal Services – Spay Neuter Services Salvation Army of Mercer County – Funding for Warming Station Ideal Roofing – Proposal to Repair Back Deck at Office Princeton Health Care Center – American Rescue Plan Funding Personnel Matters PUBLIC COMMENTS: FORMAL HEARINGS DILAPIDATED STRUCTURES
RE: EMPLOYMENT AND OATH OF OFFICE – MERCER COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER This day on motion of Greg Puckett, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the Employment and Oath of Office for Hunter Alloways, Kasey Davis, and Eric Lewis to serve as Kennel Technicians for the Mercer County Animal Shelter.
RE: RESOLUTION – HONORING THE LIFE OF TONY WHITLOW This day on motion of Bill Archer, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the Resolution Honoring the Life of Tony Whitlow. One of Mercer County’s most highly respected, admired and loved public servants, Tony Eugene Whitlow, died on November 12, 2025 as a result of injuries he sustained in a vehicular crash.
RE: RESOLUTION – OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND EXPENDITURES This day on motion of Bill Archer, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the Resolution Authorizing Expenditures from Opioid Settlement Fund. The Commission authorizes the use of Opioid Settlement Funds in the amount of $40,000 for electrical installation at the former Day Report Center.
RE: WEST VIRGINIA CONSERVATION AGENCY – DAM & CHANNEL MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT This day on motion of Greg Puckett, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the Dam & Channel Maintenance Agreement. Funding in the amount of $35,000 annually will be taken from General County Fund.
RE: OPIOID TASK FORCE – MEMBERS This day on motion of Greg Puckett, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve adding two members to the Opioid Task Force (1 Law Enforcement and 1 At Large) after the first grant cycle.
RE: FUNDING REQUEST – MERCER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT This day on motion of Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, seconded by Greg Puckett, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the Funding Request from the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department. Funding in the amount of $28,016 will be taken from Budget Stabilization. Funding of $28,016 along with $57,644 from insurance will be used to purchase two replacement police vehicles.
RE: FUNDING REQUEST – KATIE’S HEART ANIMAL SERVICES This day on motion of Greg Puckett, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the funding request from Katie’s Heart Animal Services. Funding in the amount of $10,000 will be taken from Video/Lottery and put into a grant to be used for spay neuter services at Furever Fixed.
RE: FUNDING REQUEST – SALVATION ARMY OF MERCER COUNTY This day on motion of Greg Puckett, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the funding request from the Salvation Army of Mercer County. Funding in the amount of $10,000 will be taken from Budget Stabilization and used for a Warming Station.
RE: FUNDING REQUEST – IDEAL ROOFING – GLENWOOD PARK – CARETAKER’S COTTAGE This day on motion of Greg Puckett, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the funding request from Ideal Roofing. Funding in the amount of $3,850 will be taken from Hotel/Motel and used to repair and update second story deck at the Caretaker’s Cottage at Glenwood Park.
DISCUSSION RE: PRINCETON HEALTH CARE CENTER – AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDING This day on motion of Greg Puckett, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the reallocation of American Rescue Plan Funds in the amount of $250,000 and the request to change the scope of the project. Funding previously awarded for road access will be applied toward the expansion of the existing facility to add six private resident rooms.
FORMAL HEARINGS DILAPIDATED STRUCTURES:
- 410 Valley Street (Billy Stables): 60-day continuance issued.
- 194 Shady Oaks Way (Triennium): Standard order of demolition issued.
- 101 Bailey Lane (Martin/Toggiano): 60-day continuance issued.
- 101 Pisgah Lane (Missy Moulder): Standard order of demolition issued.
- 7351 Ingleside Road (Johnathon Hamilton): 60-day continuance issued.
- Giatto Road (Charlotte Mimi WV LLC): Standard order of demolition issued.
RE: EXECUTIVE SESSION This day on motion of Greg Puckett, Commissioner, seconded by Brian Blankenship, Commissioner, the Commission voted unanimously to go into executive session. No votes were taken during the executive session. It is ordered that this Commission be and is hereby adjourned until December 9, 2025.