Monongalia County Commission approves grants, requisitions and personnel items; school levy order sent to auditor for review

The Monongalia County Commission handled a range of routine and project items during its meeting, unanimously approving the consent agenda, personnel actions, grant applications, multiple project requisitions and a one-time personnel leave extension while instructing staff to seek auditor review on a proposed school excess levy order.

Consent and personnel: The commission approved minutes for 01/07/2026 and a multi-fund voucher list read into the record, then approved a temporary part-time hire in the sheriff’s tax office (start date 01/16/2026; $18.63 per hour; no benefits) as presented.

Grants and reimbursements: County staff presented two grant applications — a community development block grant request for $21,966 and an Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) request for $295,449.63 — which the commission approved. The commission also approved reimbursement requests for a community corrections grant ($20,145.87), a Sake grant ($22,156.02) and a VOCA reimbursement ($8,181.17).

School excess levy: Clerk/staff read a proposed Board of Education excess levy order with a total amount of $35,644,004.65 and proposed levy rates (Class 1: 16.75; Class 2: 33.5; Classes 3–4: 67). Commissioners agreed to send the proposed order to the county auditor for review before bringing it back for formal approval, citing a desire to ensure the ballot order meets required form and procedures.

Project requisitions and right-of-entry: The commission approved multiple requisitions tied to the University Town Center (including a $1,229,006.52 Economic Opportunity Development District requisition and a $2,568,006.70 bond-fund requisition with multiple payees), a Harmony Grove Phase 1 requisition for $196,004.85, and administrative expense requisitions for the UTC excise and property tax districts. The commission also approved right-of-entry letters authorizing consultants to enter private properties for the Exit 155 Chaplain Hill Gateway Project (for measurements, NEPA work, endangered-species checks and similar tasks).

Personnel policies and awards: Commissioners approved a county hiring policy to align full-time hires with the new individual coverage health insurance arrangement (ICRA) invoicing schedule. They also approved a one-time extension allowing employees to use prepaid annual and personal leave through 03/31/2026 (changed from a 12/31/2025 deadline). At the sheriff’s request the commission also approved awarding a service weapon to John Merrifield effective 01/15/2026, consistent with commission policy.

Votes at a glance: All motions recorded during the meeting were approved by voice vote with commissioners saying “Aye.” The meeting record indicates three commissioners were present for votes; no roll-call tallies by individual name were recorded in the transcript.

Why it matters: The approvals advance several capital and administrative projects (University Town Center, Harmony Grove, Exit 155) and keep ongoing grant funding and county operations moving forward; sending the school levy order to the auditor reflects the commission’s effort to ensure correct ballot procedures before formal placement.

Next steps: The levy order will be returned if the auditor approves; staff and presenters will return with fuller reports when available, and the commission will address any follow-up items at future meetings.