Monongalia County approves grant, contracts, appointment and community funding in routine meeting
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Summary
Commissioners approved a $148,000 Governors Highway Safety Program grant, renewed a transport contract with WVU, appointed Seth Fitzwater to the deputy sheriff civil service commission, hired outside counsel for a bankruptcy matter, approved community event and funding requests, and promoted a crisis worker.
Monongalia County commissioners approved a package of routine and special items at a regular meeting, including a $148,000 grant from the Governors Highway Safety Program, an annual contract renewal with West Virginia University for detainee processing and transportation to the North Central Regional Jail, an appointment to the deputy sheriff civil service commission and several community funding and facility-use approvals.
The commission voted to accept a $148,000 contract award from the Governors Highway Safety Program; the grant contracts were presented by the county’s grants staff and the commission approved the contract as presented.
Commissioners approved the annual renewal of a contract with West Virginia University to process and transport individuals arrested by the county police department to the North Central Regional Jail for the period Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026. Commissioners noted the arrangement has been in place for years and cited a historical per-trip rate of $35; the commission said it will review transport and related contracts over the next 12 months.
The commission approved the appointment of Seth Fitzwater to fill the unexpired term of Dan Ozenbloski on the Monongalia County deputy sheriff civil service commission; the nomination came by letter from Sergeant Ward, president of the Sheriff’s Association.
The commission approved an engagement letter with Steptoe and Johnson PLLC to represent Monongalia County in the West Ridge bankruptcy matter.
The West Virginia Land Trust and Mon River Trails Conservancy were granted use of Camp Monthly Dining Hall and Pavilion 3 free of charge for the BlueJean Ball scheduled for May 30, 2026. The commission also approved a $5,000 contribution from the community center expenditure account to the Brown Talbot Community Association toward roof and porch repairs; commissioners said the county contribution did not cover the full cost of the work.
Personnel actions included approval to move Emily Livengood from part-time to full-time in a crisis worker position.
The consent agenda, which included vouchers and exonerations, was approved. Vouchers and fund totals were read into the record by staff during the consent portion of the meeting.
All motions were approved by voice vote; the minutes do not record a roll-call tally. Commissioner statements indicated two commissioners were present and one commissioner was absent for the meeting.