Monongalia County Commission approves routine vouchers, two hires and one-year IDEMIA LiveScan maintenance agreement

Monongalia County commissioners met Nov. 26, 2025, and approved routine financial and personnel items, including a maintenance agreement for the county’s LiveScan fingerprinting system.

The commission approved the consent agenda that included minutes from Nov. 19 and a list of vouchers and department charges that the administrator reported summed to $1,459,008.63, with payroll listed at $1,261,001.83. Administrator Reneta McClure also noted budget revisions requiring state approval for several funds, including the prosecuting attorney’s office and jail-reimbursable accounts.

On personnel, the commission confirmed the hire of Brian Shockley as a full-time assistant prosecuting attorney with benefits, with an anticipated start date of Dec. 1. Brian Shockley introduced himself at the meeting, saying, “This is Brian Shockley. I'm seeking approval today for him to begin on December 1.” The record notes the prosecuting attorney’s office has had recent vacancies and that Shockley has prior experience in felony prosecution and previously served as a mental hygiene commissioner in Monongalia County.

The commission also approved hiring Ariana Hess as a part-time seasonal Tubing Hill attendant at Chestnut Ridge Park at $12 per hour. The start date for Hess was corrected on the record from Dec. 1 to Dec. 19 before the motion passed.

For technology and procurement, the commission authorized a one-year maintenance and support agreement with IDEMIA Identity & Security USA LLC for the LiveScan system at the Monongalia County Justice Center covering Jan. 26, 2026, through Jan. 25, 2027. A presenter noted that contract terms and conditions are unchanged from prior years and that the vendor’s price reflects a nominal increase of “about 5%.”

The meeting included routine announcements and correspondence: the Monongalia County Health Department circulated a press release for a same-day “Healthy Smiles Day” event running from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the commission said it would adopt a half-day closure at county offices (closing at 12:30 p.m.) consistent with a gubernatorial proclamation from Governor Morrissey for state employees. The county recycling facility was also scheduled to close at 11:00 a.m. on the same day.

Commissioner reports included a brief update on rising community food donations and planned weekend food distributions; one commissioner noted donations arriving from overseas and thanked community volunteers.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (minutes, vouchers, payroll, budget revisions): approved (motion made, seconded, commission voted Aye). - Hire: Brian Shockley, assistant prosecuting attorney (start Dec. 1): approved. - Hire: Ariana Hess, Tubing Hill attendant (start amended to Dec. 19): approved. - Contract: IDEMIA maintenance and support agreement for LiveScan (01/26/2026–01/25/2027): approved. - Adjournment: approved.

The commission adjourned shortly after the routine business and closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.