Thursday's Internet Edition, August 28, 2008.

During a public meeting as part of their regular session last Wednesday at the courthouse, Roane County Commissioners David Boothe, Rodney Cox and John Greathouse heard a proposal about the agreement.

After returning to regular session, commissioners voted to act as a conduit for the funds by issuing bonds for the purchase of equipment that will be leased to the hospital. The commission’s involvement allows the hospital to receive a lower interest rate.

Hospital CFO Louise Ward said the money would be used for already completed renovations for the cafeteria and a current project to remodel the skilled nursing facility. Other improvements will include the acquisition of a bone density scanner, a system for automatically dispensing medicine, an advanced heart rate monitor, a kitchen oven and computer system upgrades.

Crews & Associates of Charleston will act as the funding agent. Terms of the agreement are 5-1/4 percent interest for a term of seven years.

In other business during the two and a half-hour meeting, Sheriff Todd Cole received permission to begin accepting credit and debit card payments for taxes and concealed weapon permits.

Cole said his office has received several requests for the service, especially from people from other states. Two other counties in West Virginia currently accept credit and debit cards.

“I hope this will show up at the end of the year,” Cole said. “I think people would rather use their credit card than pay those (delinquent and publication) fees. I hope in the end we’ll see more taxes being paid.”

Cole said the service would be offered through BB&T at a cost of $5 per month to the county. It will also require the installation of an additional phone line for the card reader. Those who use the service will also pay a convenience fee, Cole said.

The new method of payment should be operational by July 15, according to Cole.