Monongalia County Commission approves personnel hires, grant reimbursements and requisitions; moves three properties to complaint stage

The Monongalia County Commission on Jan. 15 approved a slate of personnel hires, accepted several grant subawards and reimbursement requests, approved two requisitions for project funds, and authorized three properties to move to the complaint stage under County Ordinance 2004-1.

The actions included approval of the consent agenda, personnel appointments across the sheriff’s office, parks and the assessor’s office, and a subaward agreement tied to the Appalachian High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program. Colleen Kuhn, office manager for grants, said “the sheriff's department was awarded $19,000 for overtime for that,” referring to the HIDTA subaward.

Why it matters: the decisions formalize county staffing for the coming weeks, allocate grant reimbursements and routine project payments, and begin a formal complaint process for three properties the county’s Abandoned and Dilapidated Property Enforcement Agency identified as candidates for enforcement.

Key actions (summary)

- Consent agenda: Commissioners approved exonerations, minutes and vouchers as presented. Motion made and adopted by voice vote.

- Personnel approvals: The commission approved multiple hires presented by the sheriff’s office (transport and court security officers, three school resource officers hired with board of education approval, and a number of seasonal parks hires), a land book clerk transfer in the assessor’s office, and other personnel listed on the agenda. All hires were approved by motion and voice vote.

- HIDTA subaward: The commission authorized a subaward agreement for the Appalachian High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program that allocates $19,000 to the sheriff’s department for overtime. Motion passed by voice vote.

- Grant reimbursement requests: Commissioners approved requests for reimbursement for: a Community Development Block Grant ($3,852.80); Governor's Highway Safety Program — Safe Communities ($1,345.40); Impaired Driving ($2,448.84); and two “Sake” grant purpose areas ($26,018.78 and $14,315.70). Motions passed by voice vote.

- Acceptance of resignation: The commission accepted the resignation of Denny Paluga from the Monongalia County Building Commission. Motion passed by voice vote.

- Requisition 35, Series 2021B Harmony Grove Phase 1 project fund: Approved payment of $42,500 to Adrian Enterprises and Thrasher Group. Motion passed by voice vote.

- Requisition 98, University Town Center Economic Opportunity Development District subaccount: Approved a deposit of $1,045,741 into the UTC sales tax district subaccount. County staff described this as the monthly sales-tax deposit; the motion carried by voice vote.

- Abandoned properties enforcement: The commission approved a request from the Abandoned and Dilapidated Property Enforcement Agency to move three parcels to the complaint stage in accordance with County Ordinance 2004-1. Parcels listed in the motion were: District 5, Map 17, Parcel 38 — 116 Pond Road; District 3, Map 17A, Parcel 1051 — Red Bud Lane; and District 3, Map 16B, Parcel 2038 — Dews Avenue. Motion passed by voice vote.

- Letter of support: The commission approved a letter of support for the Town of Star City’s application for a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant. Motion passed by voice vote.

Procedural notes: Most motions on the agenda were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote; the record shows “aye” votes without individual roll-call tallies. The commission set the date for the next administrative closure of estates for March 26, 2025.

The meeting then continued with reports from elected officials and staff before adjourning.