[{"_1":2,"_134":-5,"_135":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110,122],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6365416,"mediaKeyId","2160164-2f5d6792645eb448eb206162272109d9","parentId",2160164,"title","Votes at a glance — Hampshire County Commission, Jan. 28, 2025","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",39000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2160164-2f5d6792645eb448eb206162272109d9&start=39&end=39","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2160164-2f5d6792645eb448eb206162272109d9/thumbnail_39000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6365416/Hampshire-County/West-Virginia/Votes-at-a-glance-Hampshire-County-Commission-Jan-28-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6365416-e02e443b5f83fe89906d495035366c77/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208082&Signature=lQlDWCNByQsMfXHFExbZ3WFbG6d3rarhJKVefCuE5ykhwh-QUCl-Q~xHtE96oXQ7YeFDFwxqsFKkEbhvWKJjR-le8UamGyflTTHQQQggc-cGmM2pUgAAXUIkmq05Uxv~cDzYSIIVvphbA6hOZ9xQRpnR80yxfOXP4kF8zWpXa5b2VcAbvEyS8uRibDyA9F~szoVeTEEqtwftQ40ji55nrzj1EdDGWCXH7NL~JlGWxey9CRloL05dWp2mUDgMnPlMqMmfpvpFceIkCSwraEKgILCd9-8cRWCwt63Waj4M4GVhDZwkRPNHb5R-l3bICOO0U0VhS0gqtR~ZKSTCLfgj5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hampshire County, WV","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","Summary of recorded votes and formal actions taken during the Jan. 28, 2025 Hampshire County Commission meeting.

- Minutes: Motion to approve previous meeting minutes and special meeting minutes — passed by voice vote (ayes).

- Appointment: Combine HCESA and HSEM vacancies and offer the dual role to Darren Hamrick — motion passed (see separate article).

- Resignation: Accepted resignation of Brandy Haynes; payout of remaining vacation (3.52 days) and sick (1.5 days) — passed.

- Assessor: Authorized an assessor salary adjustment for Tammy Corbin within the assessor’s budget — passed.

- Mineral Valuation Review: Authorized permission to make mineral valuation changes for tax year 2025 through March 15, 2025 — passed.

- Team Court / Teen Court: Deferred action; clerk to place administrative-order template and fiscal-agent appointment on the next agenda.

- South Branch Valley Day Report: Authorized the president to sign a letter of support for the South Branch Valley Day Report criminal justice board — passed.

- Capon Springs EMS funding: Authorized $93,100 toward purchase of a refurbished LifePak monitor for Capon Springs EMS and tasked the grant writer to explore group grant applications — passed (see separate article).

- LifePack grants coordination: Directed county grant writer to coordinate with EMS providers for joint grant applications — passed.

- Wind ordinance research: Directed Planning Commission to research wind-ordinance options and regulatory examples; motion amended to include out-of-state examples — passed.

- Romney housing certified-question process: Voted to proceed with a certified-question process to the Court of Appeals regarding Romney public housing (motion carried; one abstention noted during discussion) — passed.

- HCSA transfer: Approved transfer of $175,000 to cover payroll and insurance for HCSA; required HCSA to present detailed budget information to commission — passed.

- Ambulance-fee waivers: Accepted recommendations to waive certain ambulance fees and denied two tickets (ticket 14299 and ticket 6442) per HCSA recommendation — passed.

- Courthouse grant advertisement: Authorized advertisement for the courthouse facilities improvement grant bids as presented — passed.

- Probate/probate orders and invoices: Approved probate orders, fiduciary appointments, and invoices as presented — passed.

All motions recorded above were passed by voice vote unless otherwise noted. If a motion had a named mover in the transcript, the detailed article or the minutes include the mover and second where available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hampshire County Commission Livestream 2025-01-29","oneSentenceSummary","Quick reference list of motions and outcomes recorded during the Hampshire County Commission meeting on Jan. 28, 2025.","taxTitle","Hampshire County, West Virginia","taxId",68971,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6365420,"Commission approves $175,000 transfer to cover HCSA payroll and insurance; accepts HCSA resignation and requests budget briefing",4755,1617000,6372000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2160164-2f5d6792645eb448eb206162272109d9&start=1617&end=6372","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2160164-2f5d6792645eb448eb206162272109d9/thumbnail_1617000.jpg","/articles/6365420/Hampshire-County/West-Virginia/Commission-approves-175000-transfer-to-cover-HCSA-payroll-and-insurance-accepts-HCSA-resignation-and-requests-budget-briefing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6365420-493b9b0c039eb973b610f8cadc55329d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208082&Signature=kyRgNQewsuAKb1Q~PTSfU0knhP-YBqCCDNZYaRjLOOcEZkm22Em8exBFXDPI9mwn1lOudxWo~tmq6Zh5noxxP1tPHdwtc2iEHYStNULMaLowOVZmdyb~AURrJaM7t7QLrEsX96F9D2yggdJMS7dtJ7YwE3A~MxSwLfjdn4XwRJu3AE9-X42tABYMY~bUG69NTF5I1RXdkJzWRLqH3GG9shBGOQH3SlCEhWBoj5jgY22ce6gc-YdxcTuF5Kt9NGy4JrP890kzO65fATlvQVZrMRbirmV8Cwr2T5WqyynoGyJ8lGnPB-fQ5xidxnYXb4vC3L4ojAfwwsyVLBourF~BNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hampshire County Commission voted Jan. 28 to transfer $175,000 to Hampshire County Emergency Services Agency (HCSA) to cover payroll and insurance needs and to require that HCSA provide an open-session briefing on its budget status and projected deficits.

Commissioner Mance moved the transfer and said he would approve a lump-sum allocation if HCSA came before the commission to describe the expenditures that led to the shortfall and the cost-cutting measures the agency had adopted since last fall. The commission voted to approve the $175,000 transfer, with commissioners saying the funds were intended to ensure payroll and insurance coverage while HCSA develops a longer-term plan.

Earlier in the meeting the commission accepted the resignation of Brandy (Brandy Haynes) and approved payout of her remaining leave: 3.52 vacation days and 1.5 sick days, per the motion on the floor.

Members of the commission debated the timing and transparency of large transfers. Commissioner Mance said he wanted a public accounting of HCSA’s budget changes, previous cost-savings enacted last fall and the projected deficit through the fiscal year before making further transfers. The board directed staff to arrange for an HCSA representative to present a full budget update to the commission in open session.

The transfer vote and the direction for an HCSA briefing were adopted by voice vote; commissioners present responded “aye.”","The commission authorized a $175,000 transfer to cover Hampshire County Emergency Services Agency payroll and insurance this month, accepted the resignation of Brandy Haynes (with payout of leave), and directed HCSA to present a budget update at an upcoming meeting.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6365425,"Teen Court coordinator asks commission to appoint fiscal agent; action deferred to next meeting",765,1851000,2616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2160164-2f5d6792645eb448eb206162272109d9&start=1851&end=2616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2160164-2f5d6792645eb448eb206162272109d9/thumbnail_1851000.jpg","/articles/6365425/Hampshire-County/West-Virginia/Teen-Court-coordinator-asks-commission-to-appoint-fiscal-agent-action-deferred-to-next-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6365425-655e163b4e5087aed1180e9cea94c034/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208082&Signature=ad6o7Rinv0mWgkChnGQwcsntoMGYgvMX3VDt8rWL40BK26S1GsOnsV1ma3XVIRbtyNNW7ab15ey-FL3c3QuszwsycQNc8XjtVIiulxiJSBcln23XCvHLkAN0r790RoIJHVeHW~Jdcj2IK~nAzI3y7oeJuszz8IKVf05I-h3dzBIhBUIedZ3Xu-quKGKifybFVEi8y5~mXrpZSBRiDSYygHF0VHF7mD3nlDVYV9mtwvIDG9TCBFSnq-eVsl7IAJa8zJiSr-eruJlJT5n3qvU3UFqkmoZVukrdY8d-6d2~vPsv8Gx~FPIj-iNkxSdoE5gKbmhDE2rRNSI8aJ4HeoWYPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tierra Mead, the Teen Court coordinator, updated the Hampshire County Commission on the program’s administrative status and asked the board to appoint a fiscal agent and authorize an administrative order so Teen Court can begin hearing cases in the county.

Mead said the ERFRN (the prior fiscal agent arrangement) dissolved and that once Teen Court becomes the county’s program, fees collected under Teen Court remain the county’s funds. She told commissioners that an administrative order prepared by Judge Carl had not been filed because of clerical confusion and that she would prepare a rewritten administrative order removing references to the dissolved fiscal agent.

Mead asked the commission to name a fiscal agent (the county clerk, a nonprofit, or another designated entity) so she could include the name in the administrative order and obtain the judge’s signature. Prosecutor Miller said the program benefited juveniles at the high school and supported the program remaining in Hampshire County; the prosecutor suggested leaving the county clerk as fiscal agent if appropriate.

Commissioners agreed they were not comfortable acting without the administrative-order template in hand. The chair and clerk said they would place the administrative order and the fiscal-agent appointment on the next meeting agenda for formal action; in the meantime Mead may proceed with recruiting but Teen Court will not hear cases until the order is filed.

No formal appointment or order was adopted at the Jan. 28 meeting; the matter was deferred to a future meeting after Mead provides the administrative-template language for review.","Tierra Mead briefed the commission on Teen Court program changes and asked the board to appoint a fiscal agent and sign an administrative order; commissioners decided to place the item on the next agenda so Mead can provide a template and the commission can vote with specific language.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6365429,"Residents ask for protections as commissioners direct planning staff to study wind rules",1023,3871000,4894000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2160164-2f5d6792645eb448eb206162272109d9&start=3871&end=4894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2160164-2f5d6792645eb448eb206162272109d9/thumbnail_3871000.jpg","/articles/6365429/Hampshire-County/West-Virginia/Residents-ask-for-protections-as-commissioners-direct-planning-staff-to-study-wind-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6365429-269d61ade47be0b7366a6ad1b8d53a8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208083&Signature=PRtDtA87AcBJ0EBfTPMjy9z8tKueamMVUwnMpoHolBFJGT3SL6BXFBcqRYnLI49k4FGHAEKsbhjXSf~gq1R68MkwBPDSrUAdyrtKpj2c67FkIrm3pXS-q7r42O2F8OuqzZHDi4AU3Bvvg9diMG8Shx3vSUSFeUrfPZ9WnocuAAKCVHf7fnTtaRodaxbqe2Ar4xHPXmlD9B6sM6c-A4PRKKcgu-c95rIcpF8MQmkb8M7SM8q25Ms-t5Pg~Et9zTbyT8oNi1dJKYYtPqJuEus4S35VokuEnDQ8OGiJfNJjg4z4A6s~G5BnqRheH6G69LcCieuvx6TOn3-kI6E~SmtSbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident of Capon (Capen) Springs urged the Hampshire County Commission on Jan. 28 to take action to regulate industrial-scale wind projects after learning plans call for 18–25 turbines of roughly 700 feet tall near Spring Mountain.

Jacob Kirk told commissioners that many homes in the area have views of Spring Mountain and that the planned turbines would sit within about 1–2 miles of most properties and as close as 250 yards of some homes. Kirk asked the commission to adopt a moratorium on industrial wind and solar, amend the subdivision and land development ordinance to require larger setbacks and protections, exclude large-scale wind and solar from the county comprehensive plan, and adopt narrow zoning rules to limit industrial wind and solar development.

Commissioners declined to adopt those specific regulatory changes immediately but did move to direct the Hampshire County Planning Commission to research existing wind ordinances and the county’s options. Commissioner Cannon moved the directive; the motion was amended on the floor to instruct planning staff to look both inside and outside West Virginia for regulatory models and then carried by voice vote.

Commissioners discussed the practical limits of local authority and the possibility of state preemption. Commissioner Nance warned that state-level preemption efforts are active and urged residents to engage state lawmakers if they want local control. Several commissioners said the county’s primary regulatory lever would be a zoning ordinance or amendments to the subdivision and land development ordinance; commissioners noted that adopting simpler, targeted zoning could require community buy-in and, possibly, a public vote.

The board’s directive requests the Planning Commission to report back with options, examples from other jurisdictions and suggested statutory paths; staff and commissioners said future public hearings or planning meetings would be scheduled to gather local feedback.","A Capon Springs resident urged the commission to block industrial-scale wind development near homes; the board directed the county Planning Commission to research ordinances and examples for wind regulations, expanding the study beyond West Virginia.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6365432,"Commission approves $93,100 to help Capon Springs volunteers replace outdated cardiac monitors",1100,2752000,3852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2160164-2f5d6792645eb448eb206162272109d9&start=2752&end=3852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2160164-2f5d6792645eb448eb206162272109d9/thumbnail_2752000.jpg","/articles/6365432/Hampshire-County/West-Virginia/Commission-approves-93100-to-help-Capon-Springs-volunteers-replace-outdated-cardiac-monitors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6365432-74711277c89c5458d228a847419f40ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208083&Signature=NGBkbj1NNkXkVQ-gfcR8SJXqzKGr81kzKOtUm3DDoE6kkr4xqp~TkwhCH3dvusG-aeRutAREUnuxh7pvxPFf0-ilfCc~Mx~J1dwP9m0ItJGG-fMS0Uywzi9v6EbWt8TmFlbx0ionRbpsfOmEtpFA5XauNfFb7wJbX8o4B58uZYjlDNmbDYqgc-88h4LHjQJUI6SWN27v6Q0kdHBIt9ujFw2tFITx4SnfFlwGOgbqWtrhPbC2L4Ene4Dh30AO6d0efIhlc9QaFv9eR-DpyknSmWO3ub~tjN7JgNcfebBHF7aTqvWm0RhmSGRc2mOt9ZmwZXZ8mc7HETdGc0yss2LV4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hampshire County Commission approved a $93,100 allocation Jan. 28 to assist Capon Springs Volunteer Fire & Rescue in replacing obsolete cardiac monitor/defibrillator units used on the department’s ALS ambulances.

John Selden, president and lieutenant of Capon Springs Volunteer Fire & Rescue, told commissioners the department’s LifePak 15 monitors were manufactured in 2009–2010 and that manufacturer Stryker has stopped servicing certain older units because of internal components containing lead solder. Selden said new LifePak 15 version 4 units cost about $43,350 to $48,835 for newer models, while a recertified LifePak 15 version 4 unit is quoted at $17,000.

Selden reported the volunteer department and local nonprofit Hampshire County Helping Hands had raised funds for the purchase; Helping Hands pledged roughly $27,100 toward one unit. Selden asked whether the county could help with funding. The commission approved an allocation of $93,100 to support purchase of refurbished equipment; commissioners said they expected the donation and department fundraising to be combined with the county contribution to cover costs.

Commissioners also approved a separate, related motion directing the county grant writer to contact Capon Springs and other EMS providers, including HCSA, and to pursue group grant applications for equipment purchases. The commission’s motion notes that a coordinated grant application with multiple county EMS entities could improve competitiveness for funding.

Commissioners discussed limitations on using funds from prior county distributions to volunteer companies—that money had been distributed for fire services—and agreed they would avoid reallocating funds specifically restricted to fire equipment where possible. Commissioners urged coordination between county staff, the volunteer department and the county grant writer to sequence funding sources and preserve restricted fire-specific allocations.

The board’s vote to allocate funds and to pursue joint grant applications was adopted by voice vote; commissioners present responded “aye.”","The commission allocated $93,100 to support Capon Springs Volunteer Fire & Rescue in acquiring refurbished cardiac monitors (LifePak units) for its ALS ambulances and directed the county grant writer to pursue joint grant applications with local EMS providers.",{"_33":123,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":124,"_41":125,"_43":126,"_45":127,"_46":128,"_48":129,"_50":130,"_52":131,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":132,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":133,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6365437,"Hampshire County Commission approves Darren Hamrick as combined HSEM and HCESA director",314,1115000,1429000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2160164-2f5d6792645eb448eb206162272109d9&start=1115&end=1429","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2160164-2f5d6792645eb448eb206162272109d9/thumbnail_1115000.jpg","/articles/6365437/Hampshire-County/West-Virginia/Hampshire-County-Commission-approves-Darren-Hamrick-as-combined-HSEM-and-HCESA-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6365437-9545e2df6b931d501ab5c94a16a1fc60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208083&Signature=EFkvI1BZ55n6ogG4Td-Bp~6NwGg1jvzqicprB~ntwmuhufTM3Yv32X-l5pNySOBCG1xCR2nP00XIRoAV9FL4T7aYjHkWKwjnhbkCltDsqQoevHf2a6vAbHlV48Xc7a6uwq-iP0iDnv9Fdqn4LYMMOtwAtR-yTbv5izmKM7o1jYBBBb71qcrIkxoi7oqudiis3dqihQRDaB0dS8VNtlnOFZVOL5kavWWA5-~hmW5TZEkDMoNQXOw1taPjTDcOOpGV0n~g8xIBF9-0vtrhydBjtkNCp3Cbj7-DL3tRjLdn1iasGzp~3uNTWXsvUI7xA8XBqSrG~tbgnEUGasSL-Hvdwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hampshire County Commission voted Jan. 28 to combine the county’s Homeland Security Emergency Management director post and the vacant Hampshire County Emergency Services Agency director post and to offer the combined position to Darren Hamrick.

The commission’s interview subcommittee evaluated five applicants and “unanimously recommend[ed] Darren Hamrick for the HSEM director position,” the sheriff told the board when presenting the committee’s finding. The committee reported that Hamrick “meets or exceeds all qualifications stipulated in the job description.”

The recommendation before the commission asked that the posts be combined and that the county draft a formal letter offering the dual role to Hamrick. Commissioner Cannon moved to accept the subcommittee’s recommendation; the motion was seconded and carried with all those present saying “aye.” The board voted separately to direct staff to draft a formal offer letter. Commissioners stated during the discussion that Hamrick had indicated he would accept a combined-role salary of $70,000 and was willing to start on the following Monday.

Commissioners and subcommittee members discussed the expected workload for a combined, part-time arrangement. The sheriff and subcommittee members told the board they believed the county’s rural profile and the limited range of likely emergencies—chiefly flooding and fires—meant the HSEM duties could be performed without a full-time, stand-alone director. Commissioner Mance asked how the proposed part-time arrangement compared with practice in neighboring jurisdictions; the sheriff answered that models vary—some counties combine EM with 911, others have standalone EM directors—but that the committee believed Hamrick and appropriate command staff could meet the county’s needs.

The commission also voted to send a formal offer letter to Hamrick and to move forward with drafting employment paperwork. No finalized employment contract or effective date beyond the candidate’s stated willingness to start Monday was provided at the meeting.

The action follows the county’s ongoing effort to fill two vacant emergency posts and to clarify reporting and budget structure between county emergency management and volunteer rescue services. The commission said it would follow up on salary paperwork and formal offer language in the coming days.","The commission voted to combine the Homeland Security Emergency Management (HSEM) and Hampshire County Emergency Services Agency (HCESA) director positions and to offer the dual role to Darren Hamrick at a proposed salary of $70,000 with a prompt start date.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance — Hampshire County Commission, Jan. 28, 2025

Commission approves $175,000 transfer to cover HCSA payroll and insurance; accepts HCSA resignation and requests budget briefing

Teen Court coordinator asks commission to appoint fiscal agent; action deferred to next meeting

Residents ask for protections as commissioners direct planning staff to study wind rules

Commission approves $93,100 to help Capon Springs volunteers replace outdated cardiac monitors

Hampshire County Commission approves Darren Hamrick as combined HSEM and HCESA director