On October 14-15, 2012 thirty-eight County Commissioners and staff from 22 counties came together with CCAWV Staff and RJA Executive Director Joe DeLong to discuss county concerns and suggested solutions to the increasing cost to counties for incarcerating inmates in regional jails, CCAWV’s top legislative priority for 2013.

The group spent Sunday afternoon brainstorming and came up with over 30 concerns. Before recessing for dinner, the group agreed to a methodology for prioritizing the multitude of topics, the following morning. Through much discussion and lively debate, 5 top priority issues emerged. (The complete list of committee study topics, including the priorities, are listed on the enclosed/attached newsletter insert.)

To assist CCAWV in solving these issues, the group then established a new association standing committee, the CCAWV Regional Jail Steering Committee and the following members were appointed: Chris Tatum, Cabell County Administrator, Chairman; Patsy Noland, Jefferson County Commissioner; Matt Wender, Fayette County Commissioner; Donnie Tenney, Upshur County Commissioner; Butch Tennant, Marion County Commissioner; Megan Pomeroy, Upshur County Assistant Administrator; Ron Watson, Harrison County Commissioner; Deborah Hammond, Berkeley County Administrator; Gordon Lambert, McDowell County Commissioner; and Tim McCormick, Ohio County Commissioner.

The charge of this committee is to monitor and study the issues as outlined by the group, beginning with the 5 top priorities, bring forth recommendations to the CCAWV Board as needed, and to provide an ongoing forum for the continued pursuit of solutions to county concerns with regional jail issues. The newly formed committee set November 19, 2012, for their first conference call meeting.