[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6193711,"mediaKeyId","3865659-b839e62ca11847269e1cb154edff1a44","parentId",3865659,"title","Morgan County commissioners consider using opioid-settlement funds to bolster sheriff pay; no final vote recorded","audioSeconds",1206,"startMs",944000,"endMs",2150000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3865659-b839e62ca11847269e1cb154edff1a44&start=944&end=2150","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3865659-b839e62ca11847269e1cb154edff1a44/thumbnail_944000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6193711/Morgan-County/West-Virginia/Morgan-County-commissioners-consider-using-opioid-settlement-funds-to-bolster-sheriff-pay-no-final-vote-recorded","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193711-1b10072d2e2482b0cb0be5975368bd85/orig.mp4?Expires=1775923681&Signature=IxO77euRgaq4OmeGlkxwbaVQs7Pd4FFFkQHdAlVrInmv~swUNoBZ-x~bWD0QUK~r0xQ5MKoz0Q9WSDQZ7lPBb1pQMpTLACHncinRg69LJMLqEqqdYPD10t4qdtLxmGya-H3fL5JLD5zISo75FxZdx~y4FtBxPNkA~k7UQVJ-Gk47WyC5gE7rwGk2B9SacfmaYEvvSjYYY79dIVTXvgccTudek~7nHtBXdWR4ldXFyzrK8ZMXqBri4ZzjfwYn1VZzIYs-Lr4z8PwPJzi0FXUA-~ppFfeJ5kC-O8qTz~8DZHqKU06Tl531qfPWKTQTu-7xASRkOGbFjNqM~08YOf5Vkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Morgan County, WV","date","2025-06-19T13:15:50.297Z","article","Morgan County commissioners debated on June 18 whether to shift opioid-settlement funds to the sheriff's budget to increase deputy pay and improve retention, and discussed setting new starting wages for certified and uncertified deputies.

The discussion centered on a proposal to use opioid-settlement money to pay a portion of one deputy position’s salary and benefits, freeing local general-fund dollars to be applied across the department. A motion was placed on the floor to allocate half of one deputy salary and related premiums from the county’s opioid fund to the sheriff’s budget; the motion was later amended in discussion to a 60/40 split (60% from the opioid fund). The transcript does not record a final roll-call vote on that motion.

Why it matters: Commissioners and sheriff's office leaders said low pay and national and regional recruitment competition have left the department understaffed, limiting the county’s 24-hour patrol capacity and specialized units. Using opioid funds would be a short-term way to free county general funds for raises but speakers cautioned the settlement funds are finite and not a permanent revenue stream.

Sheriff Johnny Walter and Chief Deputy Eric Whitmire joined department personnel at the meeting and described the staffing situation. Chief Deputy Eric Whitmire told the commission the office is operating with fewer patrol deputies than comparable counties and that deputies often hold second jobs to make ends meet. The sheriff's delegation asked the commission to pursue a clear pay scale so recruits can see long-term career prospects.

Commission staff and one commissioner laid out budget math: a 1% across-the-board increase for county employees would cost about $35,000; a 3% increase would exceed the county’s leftover discretionary revenue after mandatory increases to jail costs and insurance. Commissioners emphasized the county’s constrained revenue situation—an annual “rollback” cap in state code limited the county’s allowable tax revenue growth and reduced available funding.

During the exchange a commissioner proposed raising the certified deputy starting salary to $50,000 and the uncertified starting salary to $44,000 as part of the compensation package. Supporters said the proposed raises would make Morgan County more competitive with neighboring agencies; critics warned the solution would borrow from one-time funds and not resolve long-term sustainability.

No formal action recorded: The transcript includes multiple motions and an amendment but does not capture a final vote or implementation details. Commissioners asked staff to work out payroll mechanics with the county auditor and payroll office if the commission directs using opioid funds; speakers noted that paying half of a salary from the opioid fund would also shift a share of fringe/insurance costs.

Next steps: Participants asked county staff to clarify how an opioid-funded payroll split would be administered and what the longer-term fiscal impact would be. Several speakers urged pursuing a sustainable local revenue source to support public-safety pay if permanent increases are desired.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06/18/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Morgan County commissioners debated on June 18 whether to use opioid-settlement funds to pay part of a deputy’s salary and raise starting pay for new deputies, amid concerns about staffing, recruitment and the county’s limited tax revenue.","taxTitle","Morgan County, West Virginia","taxId",73514,"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},6193696,"Commission approves AS Building contractor and electrician contracts; commissioners ask for insurance certificates",198,2217000,2415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3865659-b839e62ca11847269e1cb154edff1a44&start=2217&end=2415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3865659-b839e62ca11847269e1cb154edff1a44/thumbnail_2217000.jpg","/articles/6193696/Morgan-County/West-Virginia/Commission-approves-AS-Building-contractor-and-electrician-contracts-commissioners-ask-for-insurance-certificates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193696-b590b23de725db23367f2009ec770649/orig.mp4?Expires=1775923681&Signature=oGxrFzmkIVkX1CJqLG-6twVrZavJciuAUdJgoNwKXymrDrid5Z1N35MTkXWnB8M0aNeqs1hsY7s3t~CLIAXUrlHX1eEqFhBA5SNFq7B2SWtD0nm7f6jxlJnHjWceS1WCgZynqHdASMvZIFC~Ce4wPOzEcomLa-XIE27Ck2VEVgLEKPeaDZ6arO-HpBkcL2IQm8rQBa2F6cK3KEQ4YtCq5eTDtEkdZwteCiltkOwN2WRBgQEhvC9H65OTNAuldc8MGhJSNR6QvAST9~StK-BxjLZEArzv~n2GeLFrmVm2H24Z~TyxwSHEnE642GIjxA5k1Cqej9SEfvvZSEmqv~2Tig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Morgan County commissioners voted to approve two contracts for renovation work at the AS Building during their June 18 meeting and instructed staff to obtain certificates of insurance from the contractors before finalizing the agreements.

Contract awards: Commissioners authorized a county official to sign a contract with Unitin LLC (bid amount $81,000) as the building contractor and with River Edge Enterprises LLC (electric work, $35,008.50) to complete the electrical scope. County staff said both bids were within the project budget and that few vendors responded to the request for proposals because the work is small and interior to an occupied facility.

Why it matters: Completing the AS Building work will allow the county to move forward with other program plans at that site. Commissioners emphasized the need to verify insurance and bonding documents for both firms before work begins.

Procedure and oversight: County staff told commissioners the project includes contingency allowances; the county will obtain certificates of insurance and keep the contracts consistent with the grant budget. Commissioners approved the contracts on a motion; staff were directed to file contractors’ insurance certificates with county records.

Next steps: Staff will finalize contract execution, collect certificates of insurance and coordinate start dates with the project manager. Commissioners noted they will continue to review project budget and contingency use as work proceeds.","The commission approved contracts to complete interior work at the AS Building after a competitive solicitation yielded limited responses. Commissioners asked staff to obtain certificates of insurance before executing the agreements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6193701,"Morgan County wellness center reports membership surge, wins $6,400 youth recreation grant",725,2440000,3165000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3865659-b839e62ca11847269e1cb154edff1a44&start=2440&end=3165","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3865659-b839e62ca11847269e1cb154edff1a44/thumbnail_2440000.jpg","/articles/6193701/Morgan-County/West-Virginia/Morgan-County-wellness-center-reports-membership-surge-wins-6400-youth-recreation-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193701-e1445085b2f62062d6d0c61e8deadb78/orig.mp4?Expires=1775923681&Signature=IeUvItwZ~ioKKIr90ame7DIjHaaZlrfe91qALXi1t46G-RHTiB6xQN6KV6qg9bXJMUMbB8VHYDP3ZlB02e5X3E8uEaoQ6G9e9-2l916vJtkhwwMLkop9sjeu-Oo-2uJ9pdyJAfzuhrpMgAKwhItUYoPUkSS62VeJY25Ptml-vqh32sYIzvqRthmP20FKyMwrVK4tWH6MFfclLplC4~HrQtcbgS93WVJXjv4SJMaXA6eQY~IEmhhgNO4QyTsyqjgVfMORqaFopiz4yuv9wBpplEA~7ce6NIlUIT0qOpbC9Ii3uhuzA2zdtPYJIHKMsXZSIw-FqIFfx2~6l8QsX8RpLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Morgan Wellness Center reported sharply rising use and an award of a $6,400 grant for youth recreation during the County Commission meeting on June 18.

The wellness center director (presenting to the commission) said the county took ownership of the facility on March 17 and documented growth in visits and paid memberships in the first three months. The director told commissioners the facility recorded about 496 visits the partial month of March, 1,655 visits in April and more than 2,200 visits in May, with paid membership counts rising into the mid‑1,900s by May. The presenter described peak usage in the morning and early evening and said many Medicare-insurance programs contribute recurring visits.

Grant and partnerships: The presenter announced the Sealy Foundation awarded a $6,400 youth recreation access grant to support clinics and programming during the school year and said staff will coordinate with the Morgan County Board of Education and local nonprofits on program development.

Financials and goals: The director said membership-sales revenue totaled roughly $4,100 year-to-date through mid-June and that the center expects to exceed $7,000 in membership sales for the month the commission met. The facility reported about $510 deposited from SilverSneakers claims and that other insurance reimbursements are under review. Staff set an internal target of 500 members, 20,000 visits and $12,000 monthly revenue by December 2025.

Operations and staffing: The presenter credited county maintenance and administrative support for making facility upkeep feasible and said the county plans community open-house marketing, employer outreach, senior programs and specialty classes. Commissioners asked questions about member visit frequency versus new memberships; the presenter said most of the recent growth reflected new members rather than existing members merely coming more often, and acknowledged ongoing work to audit insurance-based membership counts.

Hire approved: Separately on the consent agenda the commission approved hiring Gabriel Ellis as a part-time wellness center employee at $14 an hour, retroactive to June 7.","The county-run Morgan Wellness Center reported rising membership and visitation in its first three months under county management, and staff announced a $6,400 youth recreation access grant from the Sealy Foundation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6193706,"Commissioners recount conflicting legal guidance on Juneteenth courthouse closures",315,300000,615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3865659-b839e62ca11847269e1cb154edff1a44&start=300&end=615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3865659-b839e62ca11847269e1cb154edff1a44/thumbnail_300000.jpg","/articles/6193706/Morgan-County/West-Virginia/Commissioners-recount-conflicting-legal-guidance-on-Juneteenth-courthouse-closures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193706-6857ef22d3f1a1863f5f5b801413591d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775923681&Signature=k8jw01l-u9Tu9ReFUH264CSsLg~l4a5j8152zw28U1o3jE2dCU6-8zKTBZEgpWw9eHbMF8F04ScKPAgGJ4GwoEkixhR7CGiCX43e~0-x-l6Q9QGvNKbFRtKTBza9Q8FRMWdhIAiro3i3O-V2qWDLCK11hg7ck8JELFlR220ZtOgR3EwHP60jOjkne2P~HX0Vvc~uZ7h6rYCQhqtweKWuXTqIjag1iKPvyfirkMjawZQ-ixxKAslw1m7g7IyGIeUFfCTdhhrVUGD-MuqVUIGqGBH3vyFv-LXZ5a2t2JLhshtkbXKJnbpmxudm4t~tUETZrExxmyZEp54gDmOOM6U-Kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Morgan County commissioners spent part of their June 18 meeting discussing conflicting legal guidance about observance of Juneteenth and which county offices must remain open on that date.

Several commissioners said the county had received differing opinions from the state attorney general’s office, the legal office of the Supreme Court of Appeals and a statewide prosecutors’ association about whether courts and certain county offices must remain open when Juneteenth falls on a scheduled county holiday. That mix of guidance left clerks’ offices, courts and payroll staff uncertain whether to close, remain open, or treat the day as paid leave.

Why it matters: The legal advice affects whether essential offices such as the circuit court clerk and magistrate clerk must be open to accept filings and whether the county must count the day as paid holiday time for payroll. Commissioners said payroll deadlines and public access to court services make the question time-sensitive.

Commissioners referenced an opinion they received that, as phrased to the commission, said Juneteenth “is not a legal holiday” under current state law and that, unless courts are lawfully closed, clerk’s offices and court proceedings must be accessible to the public. At the same time, the county received other opinions advising closure for courts. Several speakers noted that counties across the state had handled the day differently.

Commission staff said payroll deadlines were imminent, and recommended the commission confirm what the county payroll office should code as holiday or regular time before running payroll. One official said the county could choose to maintain Juneteenth on its local holiday schedule for the current year as a paid day off, but that the attorney general’s later opinions complicated that choice.

Next steps: Commissioners asked staff to coordinate with the county prosecuting attorney, the clerk’s office and the circuit court to determine which offices must be open and how payroll should be coded. The transcript records discussion of differing opinions but does not show a formal resolution or vote.","Morgan County officials reported receiving conflicting legal opinions about which county offices must be open on Juneteenth, producing uncertainty about staff coverage and payroll treatment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Morgan County commissioners consider using opioid-settlement funds to bolster sheriff pay; no final vote recorded

Commission approves AS Building contractor and electrician contracts; commissioners ask for insurance certificates

Morgan County wellness center reports membership surge, wins $6,400 youth recreation grant

Commissioners recount conflicting legal guidance on Juneteenth courthouse closures