[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6329944,"mediaKeyId","2315308-09dbb17793a7eec48e289da8efddadab","parentId",2315308,"title","Votes at a glance: Fayette County Commission, Feb. 12, 2025","audioSeconds",2855,"startMs",61000,"endMs",2916000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315308-09dbb17793a7eec48e289da8efddadab&start=61&end=2916","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315308-09dbb17793a7eec48e289da8efddadab/thumbnail_61000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6329944/Fayette-County/West-Virginia/Votes-at-a-glance-Fayette-County-Commission-Feb-12-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329944-ed381a9b38dbfd67ecebf9f3af4da558/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160553&Signature=lyUwADwF5xegZuU7xY3ZbHJ24uLEjkS0409jzgBP4vtSXi~as1JLrghTe8UIFZsXJuC8IsWqnB8W4MUHyKXpHk~kUX0LPbFFTJNhsj6QzEyaZAGkTZpaXWoxj4jHdSZQjaz7tIXzaDQ6sEqhoO8Ze4kjhOC3Tii2CtcS5aTsJymhaZu8CAu4OuVCNVT5bjeA6DQwB~un7Gg~xlMmTKykbPnAZYkg-nsgx7zVKHc8KNUpglVjb1BHPIGZveIwoeZb8a36T9wRwxEotns0pCF3pYPz2WVD1wchTpp-PfSZ18WjH6rCI9ORZTQG2XG1lbBQypvI6Lp4HDmM8RLCYdZyzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fayette County, WV","date","2025-02-12T19:10:06Z","article","The Fayette County Commission took the following recorded actions during its Feb. 12 meeting. Votes are summarized from the meeting transcript; where individual roll‑call tallies were not read aloud, the transcript records a unanimous voice vote.

- Board of Equalization: Motion to recess the Board of Equalization review to Feb. 19 at 9 a.m. — Motion made and seconded; voice vote: approved.

- Refund: Motion to approve a refund (clerk’s office item) — Motion made and seconded; voice vote: approved.

- Exonerations: Motion to approve exonerations — Motion made and seconded; voice vote: approved.

- Minutes: Motion to approve prior meeting minutes — Motion made and seconded; voice vote: approved.

- Appointments: Motion to reappoint Anne Hill and Rick Dauphin to unspecified boards/commissions — Motion made and seconded; voice vote: approved.

- Planning Commission appointment: Motion to appoint Ben Morgan to the planning commission — Motion made and seconded; voice vote: approved.

- REIT roof‑grant criteria: Motion to approve grant criteria with one addition (two‑point preference for fixed‑income/low‑income owner‑occupants) — Motion made (Angela) and seconded; voice vote: approved.

- REIT encumbrance policy: Motion to postpone further encumbrance policy discussion until county counsel obtains written guidance from state office — Motion made and seconded; voice vote: approved (discussion deferred).

- Schmitters Creek letter: Motion to approve letter regarding slippage above residences in Schmitters Creek — Motion made and seconded; voice vote: approved.

- Cellebrite subscription: Motion to postpone action on the Cellebrite subscription request until March pending negotiation of an MOU and budget coordination — Motion made and seconded; voice vote: approved (postponed).

- Executive session: Motion to go into executive session to discuss PSD contract negotiations — Motion made and seconded; voice vote: approved; commission returned and reported no decisions were made.

- Sheriff budget & 911 cybersecurity grant: Motion to postpone the sheriff’s budget presentation and the 911 center cybersecurity grant application to March 5 — Motion made and seconded; voice vote: approved.

- Adjournment: Motion to adjourn — Motion made and seconded; voice vote: approved.

Where the transcript did not supply names for every motion maker or seconder, items above note the motion text and the recorded outcome. The commission did not adopt encumbrance language for the roof grant or commit county funds for the Cellebrite subscription at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fayette County Commission Meeting February 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A summary of motions and recorded outcomes from the Fayette County Commission meeting on Feb. 12, 2025, including appointments, program approvals and postponements.","taxTitle","Fayette County, West Virginia","taxId",68907,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6329948,"Kanawha Falls PSD representatives brief commission on takeover proposal, FEMA repairs and public meetings; executive session held",1113,3007000,4120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315308-09dbb17793a7eec48e289da8efddadab&start=3007&end=4120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315308-09dbb17793a7eec48e289da8efddadab/thumbnail_3007000.jpg","/articles/6329948/Fayette-County/West-Virginia/Kanawha-Falls-PSD-representatives-brief-commission-on-takeover-proposal-FEMA-repairs-and-public-meetings-executive-session-held","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329948-05ac9a617430bf2d1cebd79f2672f441/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160553&Signature=hAPbILfFXq-OkCZa1BKlTZiKm5e5bvdTqcvkas-Pgf4FlBT~8BtcfnY0FR7tGg9DYbW12IpI6xb6RjU8YoCOfZn2OLV6YXKjo9NtldIvpgZgCsuIPLH3D-kSFeMqCOHDQ6eLxqXlQRsWKLep~d83dSgr-A4Sel4j3K58~Y9EIahti~PxaDVNzRa8rVqQSnv3VAuSLUhLwL0H6edvjxRZpgwnmubQ~fCZWrSprbuvPTl4-SI63jpQDdEQGaCS3NiJwzwZLHkrOQSmyI~H847WjrlkOR46rOLYUmtC3HdTbXupuwYN~-ZNXinBtIP4hLBycg~ce8HiNhJiEVakBCrmYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from Kanawha Falls Public Service District (PSD) briefed the Fayette County Commission on Feb. 12 about storm damage to sewer lines, ongoing FEMA work on repairs, and a proposal from West Virginia American Water to assume operation of certain PSD systems.

Carl Harris, representing the PSD, and the district’s counsel, Todd Swanson, told the commission the PSD has scheduled a series of public information meetings in March to present findings and gather input from residents. The PSD and county staff described long‑running repair work following a storm that damaged sewer infrastructure, including lines serving the state prison; engineers and emergency‑management staff have been working with FEMA on a project that staff said is approximately $20 million in scope, with most funding identified except about $1 million.

Commissioners and PSD leaders also discussed a proposal by West Virginia American Water to acquire water or sewer operations in several PSDs. County officials cautioned that a takeover could affect eligibility for federal grant money; staff said federal grants and FEMA funds can be jeopardized if a private utility assumes the system and the grantee relationship changes. Several commissioners and PSD board members said they worry the regulatory process at the Public Service Commission (PSC) favors large utilities and that takeover discussions have been framed as a likely outcome in prior PSC hearings.

The commission moved into executive session to discuss contract negotiations with PSD representatives and the district’s counsel. The commission returned to open session and stated that no final decisions were made in executive session. Commissioners said they plan more public engagement and will meet again with PSD boards and counsel to consider options.

The PSD representatives and county staff said the public meetings in March are intended to share technical findings, explain FEMA timeline and funding status, and solicit community input before any binding action is taken.","Kanawha Falls Public Service District officials and county commissioners discussed storm damage, FEMA repair work, and a proposal by West Virginia American Water to assume local PSD systems. The commission met in executive session on contract negotiations; no decisions were made.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":46,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6329954,"Commission hears $35,000 Cellebrite request; delays decision pending memorandum of understanding",1154,1762000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315308-09dbb17793a7eec48e289da8efddadab&start=1762&end=2916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315308-09dbb17793a7eec48e289da8efddadab/thumbnail_1762000.jpg","/articles/6329954/Fayette-County/West-Virginia/Commission-hears-35000-Cellebrite-request-delays-decision-pending-memorandum-of-understanding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329954-72ba865602041a66ad6119217f98c1c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160553&Signature=axHY8TsQMAe9YOukO~PtIQr3~Lnc9STQHRTN0LFX7tXcM-lEIJVqXg9b-i78uf7zkP44QLLgi9dpapMeGSwXvc6ZCl00eaW~rKStfQEuNltbDo-9lTLKx2FK7exFxjVXuO15H7OISx8VzDZxBI758vWHC9ywhfBMOjYqx1k3xmtwpKZcGRjhTYp0-mjssgKmqqqqHXGNaW4StMgv8w1Ii6hoNxf55~xSs1BluuguP4zLcQTPwnjk72yCaTOiKVGQdjmpYtIGPebpFDM1HWPnKza8eKbvwYjrzS-Xyyvm7Dq2i8lRv~9APtOGog7fEcD0ikj774VxsFK8CYeQNRkpXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fayette County officials on Feb. 12 reviewed a request to fund a Cellebrite forensic‑extraction subscription used by local law enforcement and prosecutors and agreed to postpone a funding decision until March while staff negotiates a memorandum of understanding.

A county staff member who detailed recent cases said Cellebrite has been “instrumental” in prosecutions and that the cost for the coming year is $35,000. According to the presentation, 162 phones were processed in calendar 2024; the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and Oak Hill Police Department accounted for the bulk of usage. Nicholas County Commission had committed $3,000 toward the subscription; presenters asked Fayette County to cover roughly the remainder.

Speakers said Oak Hill provides the trained employee and the equipment used for extractions and that the current arrangement has worked but lacks a written agreement defining priorities and cost sharing. Commissioners expressed interest in a formal MOU and suggested exploring whether the expense belongs in a regular department budget to avoid an annual “passing the hat” approach.

A motion to delay a final decision until March, pending an MOU and further budget work, passed. County staff was asked to coordinate with the sheriff’s office and the task force on how to formalize access, training, and cost sharing before the commission revisits the request.

The commission did not approve county funding at this meeting. Staff said they will attempt to identify additional contributors and examine options, such as cross‑training county personnel or drafting an MOU clarifying priorities for access and timeliness.","Law enforcement and prosecutors asked Fayette County to cover the majority of a $35,000 Cellebrite subscription used for extracting data from seized phones. Commissioners discussed cost sharing, training and governance, and voted to postpone a decision until March while staff negotiates an MOU and budget placement.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6329958,"Fayette County approves roof‑grant scoring, delays policy on encumbrances pending state guidance",773,343000,1116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315308-09dbb17793a7eec48e289da8efddadab&start=343&end=1116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315308-09dbb17793a7eec48e289da8efddadab/thumbnail_343000.jpg","/articles/6329958/Fayette-County/West-Virginia/Fayette-County-approves-roofgrant-scoring-delays-policy-on-encumbrances-pending-state-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329958-4173e05e345855115bef66799bcc29e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160553&Signature=ACiRdnfBvCt8XMA~O4HHHi6ywjyNIgJod~auM7SlH3WQPtQ3uFdZwgywBxKpzi3LdwxgAbMOLBeVb~xcrOYc-kWspG7Q~UqltFaF7yJ2~FYtfkHmT4ilN71HCFTz7xjfiD95aL7MM3ioRfdNrZy1kXGNEK0PgpVvzGy8EB9UKUFa0WAjavgfdeV8kNMauKWceV8CMzVKnDT5rT4fSUunW0Hq2JJ9Eh4cncuiCtcMnmmHULbe6j1Jcpw4gfyxYToO9elwGqXBe8XYsTW289mX257jB~49TM1avUGWG42ghvs6ic~O78em2NI9VLVzo5DGH142AdJ2OnJLOGQ0hC8kWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fayette County Commission on Feb. 12 approved scoring criteria for a county roof‑grant program meant to tear down dilapidated properties, adding two points for property owners who are fixed‑income or otherwise qualify as low income. Commissioners paused a separate decision about placing encumbrances or liens on assisted properties and asked county counsel to seek written guidance from the state before the commission revisits the issue.

The commission approved the criteria after Angela, a county staff member overseeing the grant, proposed adding an income component so applicants on fixed incomes, including retirees and people receiving disability, would receive two additional points in the program’s ranking. “You could just let them know that special consideration is given to low income applicants,” Angela said during the discussion.

The added points apply only if owners voluntarily provide proof (for example, Social Security or disability documentation) and would not be required information for every applicant. Commissioners and staff said the point system will simply rank applicants; the commission will again review the ranked list and confirm ownership before awarding funds.

Commissioners spent most of the discussion on whether the county should require an encumbrance—a recorded lien or other restriction—on properties receiving grant money to protect the county if an owner later sells the property for profit. A county staff member said an encumbrance could be structured as a contract clause that requires reimbursement to the county within a defined period if the owner sells the property. A state official who had previously advised staff, identified in the meeting as a state environmental resource analyst, recommended encumbrances but left the final decision to the county.

Some commissioners warned that requiring a lien up front could reduce participation; others said a recorded encumbrance provides clear legal standing to recover funds if owners violate the agreement. Because the state guidance the county received was inconsistent—sometimes calling encumbrances “required” and in other messages calling them “preferred”—the commission voted to seek formal written guidance and delay implementing any encumbrance policy until counsel reports back.

Commissioner action: the commission voted to approve the grant criteria including the added two‑point income preference and separately voted to pause the encumbrance policy and direct county counsel to request a written legal opinion from the state. Staff said they will publicize the final criteria and that they currently have about 30 applicants for the grant cycle.

The commission did not adopt an encumbrance requirement at the meeting. County staff said they will return with counsel’s written guidance for the commission before placing any encumbrance language into the program’s requirements.","The Fayette County Commission approved criteria for a county roof‑demolition grant with an added income preference but postponed a separate decision on whether to require recorded encumbrances or liens until counsel secures written guidance from the state.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Fayette County Commission, Feb. 12, 2025

Kanawha Falls PSD representatives brief commission on takeover proposal, FEMA repairs and public meetings; executive session held

Commission hears $35,000 Cellebrite request; delays decision pending memorandum of understanding

Fayette County approves roof‑grant scoring, delays policy on encumbrances pending state guidance