Monongalia County Commission elects Tom Bloom president, delegates limited signature authority to administrator

The Monongalia County Commission elected Tom Bloom as commission president for 2026 and approved a motion to name a president pro tem during its organizational meeting on Jan. 7.

The vote to elect Tom Bloom followed a motion and a second and was approved by voice vote. Commissioners also moved to adopt Robert’s Rules of Order and considered amendments to the commission’s rules of procedure. The county administrator read the proposed change that would delegate signature authority to the administrator for time-sensitive service agreements not to exceed a total annual value of $5,000, provided each such agreement is later listed under consent and approval at the next regular public meeting. The administrator also read a clarification stating that the administrator may sign larger agreements only if the commission previously approved them through the regular public meeting process.

Why it matters: the change is intended to speed execution of time-sensitive service contracts while preserving commission oversight through subsequent public notice and consent. Commissioners discussed the amendment and approved it by voice vote.

The commission also approved the published 2026 meeting schedule and a 2026 holiday schedule, noting a scheduling shift around Veterans Day.

What’s next: the commission will publish the approved schedules and apply the revised signature procedure for qualifying service agreements; any larger agreements signed administratively must reflect prior formal approval by the commission.