Monongalia County Commission backs I‑68 corridor, approves estate appointments, grants and community funding

The Monongalia County Commission on Sept. 3, 2025 adopted a resolution urging state and federal leaders to secure funding to extend Interstate 68 and approved a series of administrative actions, personnel hires and grants.

County Administrator Reneta McClure presented the consent agenda, including minutes and vouchers, and said the total vouchers presented were $109,008.38. The commission approved the consent agenda by voice vote.

On estates and probate matters the commission accepted the resignation of an appointed executrix, Janice Clutter, and moved to appoint the county sheriff as the administrator of two local estates after discussion about procedural sequencing. The commission also accepted the resignation of Beulah (transcribed as 'Bueller') Phillips as executor, recorded a waiver of administration by Jeffrey C. Phillips, and appointed Edward J. Phillips as administrator following confirmation that required documentation and fees had been submitted.

The board approved three sheriff's office hires beginning Sept. 16: William Reinhardt for court security at $3,243.05 per month; Dale (Del) Hetrick as a school resource officer at $3,583.83 per month; and Jennifer Harker as an administrative assistant to the sheriff at $5,416.67 per month.

During public comment, Colleen Grama announced a fiscal year 2023 Emergency Management Performance Grant award of $100,760. "That award is for a $100,760," Grama said; the commission voted to accept the grant documents.

Staff reported a request from the town of Blacksville seeking up to $30,000 to fund a comprehensive engineering review of its sewer system; commissioners said staff reports will address the request at a future meeting.

The commission adopted a "Resolution in support of the I‑68 energy manufacturing corridor," which cites the establishment of the West Virginia Route 2 and Interstate 68 Authority (House Bill 2539, 1997) and asks state and federal officials to pursue funding to extend I‑68 from its junction with I‑79 near Morgantown east to WV Route 2 at Kent and onward into Ohio. The resolution passed by voice vote.

Financial housekeeping included approval of requisition number 28 for the University Town Center Series 2023 administrative expense fund for $8,296.25 and approval of requisition number 109 (invoice cited as 50021875) for the UTC excise tax district administrative expense fund.

The commission approved a $10,000 funding request from the Brookhaven Community Association to support substructure work for an addition to the community building (project total cited in the record as $15,000).

The commission also authorized a named county representative (spoken in the record as "Napoleon Stomonic" in multiple pronunciations) to cast a master ballot on behalf of Monongalia County in a Purdue/Sackler-related bankruptcy matter; the motion passed by voice vote.

In department reports, Commissioner Sean and staff reported meetings with Milan Park Management and Rachel Mitchell, Mon County Center director, about ingress and egress for the new ice pavilion and said work is progressing to access available grant funds. Commissioners said they will continue follow-up on the Blacksville sewer issue with Joe Statler and will consider Alpha Associates’ 2011 design information for Grumbine Island.

The meeting closed with commissioners praising local law enforcement for managing an estimated 55,000-person crowd during a recent football game, then adjourning by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: approved (voice vote) - Estates (approve executrix resignation; appoint sheriff as administrator of two estates): approved (voice vote) - Estate of Newbert Clayton Phillips (accept resignation/waiver; appoint Edward J. Phillips): approved (voice vote) - Sheriff’s office hires (three positions): approved (voice vote) - FY23 Emergency Management Performance Grant ($100,760): approved (voice vote) - Requisition #28, UTC administrative expense fund ($8,296.25): approved (voice vote) - Requisition #109, UTC excise tax district (invoice cited 50021875): approved (voice vote) - Brookhaven Community Association funding ($10,000): approved (voice vote) - Authorize representative to cast master ballot in Purdue/Sackler-related bankruptcy matter: approved (voice vote)

Next steps noted in the meeting record included staff follow-up on the Blacksville sewer request, further staff reports on requisitions and grants, and continued negotiations on a county solar project. The commission adjourned at the conclusion of the session.