POINT PLEASANT — Recent severe weather in the area has caused local officials to discuss the need to implement policies and procedures for dealing with those situations.

During Thursday’s meeting, county commissioners discussed a presentation being prepared by Chuck Blake, director of the Office of Emergency Services, regarding recent power outages and storms and the procedures that need to be in place to address issues that arise during those events.

Commissioners discussed last month’s severe winter weather when more than 6,000 homes were without electricity. At that time, a temporary shelter was set up at the former Central Elementary School, but when the electricity went out at that location as well, a second shelter needed to be set up, which caused some confusion for citizens.

Commissioners also said the sheriff’s department and other emergency responders need to be included in the procedures.

In other business, commissioners:

• Unanimously approved $100 per week for employees at the Day Report Center to organize litter pick-up and other community service for clients at the center.

• Unanimously approved signing up for the Pathways to Wellness Program offered through the Public Employees Insurance Agency. The program will provide free screenings and cover other health-related events for county employees who have PEIA.

• Unanimously approved spending approximately $5,000 on sound equipment upgrades for their meeting room at the courthouse. The equipment includes new microphones as well as updated recording devices.

• Unanimously approved signing an easement for the Mason County Public Service District to do work along W.Va. 62 in Letart.

• Unanimously approved a policy that contractors hired for projects totaling more than $250,000 must undergo drug and alcohol testing in accordance with the West Virginia State Building and Construction Trades Council.

• Unanimously agreed to write letters to state officials in support of Mason County having its own delegate district for the general election in 2012. They said Mason County is the only county in West Virginia that has a population of more than 25,000 but does not have its own representative in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

• Adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

The next meeting will be 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26.