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Public comment, commissioners press for independent Monongalia County HR department
Summary
A former Morgantown mayor urged the Monongalia County Commission to formalize a human resources department and clarify the county's contract with Align HR. Commissioners said they are pursuing an independent HR function and have used Align HR for consulting since July 2022 while continuing recruitment for a full-time HR professional.
Marty Schamberger, a resident and former mayor of Morgantown, told the Monongalia County Commission he was "curious" whether the county has a formal human resources department and asked what services the county receives under a contract with Align HR that began in July 2022.
"If you have HR, and this is from past years of experience serving at WVU, it can mean many things to many different people," Schamberger said, listing payroll, employee relations, compensation and information systems as functions to consider. He said he saw an Align HR contract in the county's open checkbook and asked what Align HR had provided beyond a handbook and consulting.
Commissioners acknowledged they have relied on Align HR for consulting support, particularly on issues involving the sheriff's department, and said the county is moving toward creating an independent HR department. One commissioner said the county has "been moving slowly" but had interviewed candidates and identified office space to host an HR professional.
Commissioners also said elected officials in other county offices have not consistently signed on to a consolidated county employee handbook, which has slowed implementation. A commissioner said the commission is legally responsible for county policies and the county's exposure in lawsuits, and that it intends to proceed with establishing an HR office whether other elected officials join.
The commission described ongoing related work: biweekly (now monthly) consulting with Align HR, interviews for an HR candidate, and plans to continue recruitment and contract review over the next year. Commissioners stressed the effort is intended to provide consistent treatment for employees across county offices.
Schamberger closed his remarks by thanking the commission. Commissioners replied they appreciated his perspective and reiterated they expected to begin moving toward a standalone HR department within the coming year.
No formal action or policy change was recorded during the public comment portion; the discussion concluded and the commission moved on to other agenda items.
