County commissioners discuss Neighborhood Watch request for funds

Mineral County Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Bob Mahon was present at the April 30 meeting of the Mineral County Commissioners to receive an update on his request for $2,500 in county funds.

The request was made by Mahon in order to purchase 60 signs for the program that would be placed in locations throughout the county.

“This is just something that’s for the citizens of the county,” Mahon said. “I think that’s something you have to be thinking about.”

In a previous meeting with Mahon and the county commissioners on April 12, it was suggested the county use some of its drug forfeiture funds to fund the signs. Commissioner Roman Zylawy reported that County Attorney Marcia Boris was currently researching whether or not the funds could be allocated towards purchasing the signs.

According to both Commissioner Zylawy and Commissioner Duane Simons, Boris was still researching whether the funds could be allocated to the program due to the fact that the program is attached to the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office and the majority of the drug forfeiture funds come from the justice court and county attorney’s office.

“The drug forfeiture fund has about $56,000 in it but Marcia was saying there might be some stipulations for how it can be used,” Commissioner Zylawy said. “The Sheriff’s Office only put in $49 in the last several years…so she thought they might not be able to use that for that function.”

Commissioner Simons added that Boris was currently looking at state statutes in order to be sure that the funds could be used for the signs.

“Anybody have any other ideas if the drug forfeiture funds can’t be used,” Commissioner Zylawy asked.

“Well I think we need to research that out and she (Boris) said she doesn’t have a clear picture of it yet and maybe they (MCSO) have contributed more,” Commissioner Simons said. “I think that’s where it ought to come from.”

Mahon responded that the signs are something the commissioners “shouldn’t be indecisive on” and Commissioner Simons reiterated that they were researching using the drug forfeiture funds to make sure they are able to use it.

“She wasn’t done investigating it,” Commissioner Simons said. “Her thought was that if they have contributed enough she wouldn’t have a problem signing off on it. I think it’s a good idea though.”

After further discussion on the matter it was decided that Mahon would return next week and the commissioners would inform him of their findings and any other solutions they have if they are not able to use the drug forfeiture funds.