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Hancock County Commission approves audit committee, grant applications, hires and routine bills
Summary
At its Sept. 25 meeting, the Hancock County Commission approved establishment of an audit committee, applied for a courthouse windows grant, accepted a HAVA election grant, confirmed hires and resignations, and approved routine bills and financial reports.
The Hancock County Commission on Sept. 25 approved a series of administrative actions including creation of an audit committee, submission of a grant application to the West Virginia Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority, acceptance of a 2026 HAVA election grant, and several personnel actions.
The measures advance oversight and capital-maintenance work in Hancock County. Commissioners said the audit committee responds to state requirements, the courthouse grant would address original‑building windows, and the HAVA grant will help cover election equipment costs.
Commissioners opened the meeting at 2:30 p.m. and handled routine business before moving to several items of substance. The commission removed a previously tabled hydro project item from the table and approved moving forward with the work as presented, noting that additional coordination with the City of New Cumberland may be required. The commission also approved a proclamation recognizing Oct. 5–11, 2025, as National 4‑H Week and received students from county 4‑H clubs who recited the 4‑H pledge.
On oversight, the commission voted to establish a Hancock County Audit Committee to procure audit services and oversee corrective actions tied to audit findings. The committee was created in response to a directive from the Chief Inspector Division in West Virginia state government. The commission then approved a slate of members recommended in the meeting packet: a governing‑body representative (Erin Cech), a county financial administrator (self‑recommended in the packet), and Karen Valente as the third appointee.
On grants and facilities, the commission approved submission of a letter of support and application to the West Virginia Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority for replacement of windows in the original courthouse. A separate courthouse project (replacement of an air‑conditioning unit) did not qualify for that funding, the commission was told.
On elections, the county clerk reported acceptance of the 2026 HAVA (Help America Vote Act) grant; the clerk said this county has received similar grants over the past three years and that the funds will be used for election batteries and scanning equipment.
Personnel and court matters approved included: the resignation of Garrett Nichols from the Hancock County Parks and Recreation Board (effective Sept. 8, 2025); acceptance of the resignation of Mary Close as deputy circuit clerk (effective Sept. 19, 2025); hiring Caitlin Southall as an animal care technician retroactive to Sept. 22, 2025; and reappointment of April Manny Penny Rains as fiduciary commissioner for the term beginning Sept. 2, 2025, through Sept. 1, 2027.
The commission also voted to advertise for audit bids for fiscal year 2025, approved the monthly financial report, and approved general and levy fund bills. The packet listed general‑fund bills totaling $113,416.16 and P‑card charges totaling $38,447.91; commissioners approved payment on those totals and on bills from the bridal shelter levy, sheltered workshop levy and library levy after staff confirmed the items had been reviewed.
Other business: the commission accepted a donation from Ernest L. Rose to support the Hancock County bridal shelter and recognized the Brook‑Hancock‑Jefferson (BHJ) Metropolitan Planning Commission team members Ben and Marco for managing roughly $120 million in water and sewer grants serving the area.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve the meeting agenda — approved. - Approval of commission minutes from Sept. 11, 2025 — approved. - Approval of 7 exoneration orders — approved. - Remove previously tabled item and approve items for current hydro project — approved (staff noted additional work with the City of New Cumberland may be required). - Proclamation: National 4‑H Week, Oct. 5–11, 2025 — approved. - Approval: resignation of Garrett Nichols (Parks and Rec Board) — approved. - Approve letter of support and application to West Virginia Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority for window replacement in the original courthouse — approved. - Establish Hancock County Audit Committee — approved (per WV Chief Inspector Division direction). - Appoint members to Hancock County Audit Committee (recommended: county financial administrator; Erin Cech; Karen Valente) — approved. - Advertise for audit bid, fiscal year 2025 — approved. - Accept 2026 HAVA grant for elections — approved. - Reappoint April Manny Penny Rains as fiduciary commissioner, term Sept. 2, 2025–Sept. 1, 2027 — approved. - Cancel hearing for estate of Connie B. Thrasher scheduled Oct. 9, 2025 — approved. - Accept resignation of Mary Close, deputy clerk, effective Sept. 19, 2025 — approved. - Hire Caitlin Southall as animal care technician, retroactive to Sept. 22, 2025 — approved. - Approve monthly financial report — approved. - Approve general county bills (general funds $113,416.16; P‑card $38,447.91) and levy fund bills — approved.
The meeting concluded with routine departmental reports and reminders; the commission scheduled its next regular meeting for Oct. 9 at 2:30 p.m. in the commission chambers.
