Commission approves hires and changes to employee benefits, including dental plan and discontinuation of FSA option

At its June 18 meeting the Monongalia County Commission approved several personnel appointments and two employee-benefit changes.

Personnel: The commission approved appointment of Michael Forbes and Brian Hennessy as full-time school safety officers effective July 1; the positions are benefits-eligible and the salary listed was $3,583.34 per month. The commission also approved rehiring Bridal Westman as a part-time tax office employee at $15 per hour and hired Ella Meehan as a part-time relief worker for the youth services center at $14.40 per hour. Other seasonal and part-time hires for parks and camp staff were approved.

Benefits: The commission approved a group dental insurance proposal from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield effective Aug. 1, 2025, noting a projected 7% decrease in premiums while keeping employee payments at the current level; the county will adjust its portion of premiums. The commission also voted to discontinue the flexible spending account (FSA) option for the plan year beginning Aug. 1, 2025. Commissioners cited three reasons for ending the FSA option: the county is covering 100% of the health insurance deductible, current employee utilization of the FSA was only about 16%, and the county faces repayment risk if employees leave after FSAs are front-loaded.

The personnel appointments and the benefit decisions were each moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The meeting record indicates the school safety officers’ positions will be benefits-eligible and that a sponsoring entity (Saint Francis) will pay the cost of one officer’s position; commissioners clarified there is no county vehicle associated with those postings.