BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The City of Inez will use Alcohol Beverage Control proceeds to fund part-time deputy patrols under an agreement with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

Mayor Ed Daniels announced during a City Commission meeting that Sheriff John Kirk will provide a deputy for 8 to 10 hours per week at $15 per hour. The officer will be on duty in the city Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

“We will write the payment directly to the sheriff’s department,” Daniels said. “Rather than employing someone, we will pay the sheriff and he will take care of it.”

Daniels said the deputy should begin either the last week of February or the first week of March.

“[Sheriff Kirk] said they would prefer to receive payment every quarter,” he said.

Commissioner Roy Penix gave the street report, noting that snow and ice removal kept the street department busy over the past three weeks. Before the winter weather, he said, the department focused on maintaining the city’s plow and preparing its mower for the upcoming season.

Mayor Daniels and Commissioners Penix, Phyllis Conrad and Jennifer Wells briefly discussed plans to extend the Inez Creekside Trail to the east Whickerfield Road entrance. According to Conrad, the city has secured verbal agreements from all but three property owners.

Daniels agreed to reach out to the remaining parties.