Monongalia County Commission approves consent agenda, staff hire, grants and appointments in March 5 meeting

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Monongalia County Commission on March 5 cleared a series of routine and project-specific items, approving the consent agenda and taking separate votes to authorize grant applications, requisitions, a personnel hire and an appointment to the county Building Commission.

The commission approved its consent agenda by voice vote. The consent packet included minutes for Feb. 26, 2025, and a group of vouchers and purchasing-card charges; a voucher-total figure cited in the meeting was $307,007.00. The county administrator, Renetta McClure, presented the consent items before commissioners moved and seconded approval.

Personnel: The commission approved the hire of Tabitha Ellenwood as a full-time employee in the county’s 911 operation. Jimmy Smith introduced Ellenwood, and the commission recorded her start date as March 16, with a beginning salary stated as $3,425.10 per month and standard county benefits.

Grants and projects: Colleen (grant administrator) told the commission the county would submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application requesting $21,966; the commission moved and approved the application. Separately, the commission approved a $2,000 funding request to complete a mural project at New Hill Community Park; presenters said the mural work is expected to finish by August and that community volunteers had already cleaned graffiti from the storage building that will be painted.

Requisitions and administrative funds: Commissioners approved requisition number 101 for the University Town Center excise tax district administrative expense fund for Municap’s monthly invoice (amount listed in the meeting as $2,002.66) and approved requisition number 19 for the University Town Center Series 2023 property tax district administrative expense fund (amount stated as "02/1125" in the record and not specified in clear dollar terms during the meeting). The items were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Appointment: The commission appointed Reynard Glimp to the county Building Commission. The county record shows the position had been open and that no other applications had been received; commissioners moved and seconded approval and recorded the vote as favorable.

Other correspondence and business: The county acknowledged several letters and reports received, including a newsletter on the Morgantown Arts Center, a request from BBC Cat Sanctuary for a speed limit reduction on Mason Dixon Highway near its facility, and a letter from the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Public Defender Corporation concerning the elevator at 265 Spruce Street, owned by the Monongalia County Development Authority. The commission said it would consult the development authority about the elevator request.

Commissioners’ reports: Commissioners reported recent meetings with the state attorney general’s office and other regional officials, collaboration with nearby counties and foundations to seek more local input for grant reviews, and planned community cleanup efforts at highway entrances and other county entryways.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes, vouchers, fiduciary orders): approved by voice vote; voucher total cited at $307,007.00. - Hire of Tabitha Ellenwood (full-time 911 employee; start March 16; salary $3,425.10/month): approved by voice vote. - Community Development Block Grant application (request $21,966): approved by voice vote. - Requisition #101 (University Town Center excise tax district; Municap invoice): approved by voice vote; amount cited $2,002.66. - Requisition #19 (University Town Center Series 2023 property tax district; Municap invoice): approved by voice vote; amount in record unclear ("02/1125"), dollar amount not specified. - Appointment of Reynard Glimp to Building Commission: approved by voice vote. - Mural funding for New Hill Community Park ($2,000; expected completion by August): approved by voice vote.

The commission adjourned after reports and a motion to adjourn was approved by voice vote.