The Monongalia County Commission on Dec. 10 approved a $1,123,003.75 requisition for the University Town Center Economic Opportunity Development District subaccount, accepted a petition to remove an administratrix in a stalled probate matter, and authorized several smaller reimbursements and project requisitions.

Administrator Renetta McClure presented the consent agenda and a series of vouchers and exonerations, including payroll and county operating vouchers totaling roughly $2.43 million. A commissioner moved to approve the consent agenda and the motion carried by voice vote.

During public comment, Sabrina Webb asked the commission to remove the administratrix of the estate of Rosalie Ernestine Miller, saying the probate had stalled after her sister filed related matters and that she wanted the family’s affairs completed. "I'm just trying to get everything moved along so my daughter can get her due inheritance and we can just be done with it," Webb said. Commissioners confirmed Webb had filed the required appraisement but noted the clerk's office had sent notices asking the administratrix to increase a bond that went unanswered. A motion to accept the petition to remove the administratrix was made, seconded and approved by the commission.

The commission approved a grant reimbursement request presented by Colleen, the county's Grama grants coordinator: a Community Development Block Grant reimbursement of $3,661 and a SAKI/Grama reimbursement for $22,765.34. The reimbursement motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Under correspondence, the board reviewed a reply from the West Virginia Public Service Commission related to the commission's earlier letter opposing the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link project; commissioners indicated the county's submission was received and that any apparent absence on the PSC website was likely a timing issue.

Staff also relayed a notice from the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security (Division of Administrative Services) that jail per diem rates will increase to approximately $75.44 beginning July 1; commissioners discussed managing transport and housing costs and said they would reassess related fees and budget impacts.

The board accepted a distribution notice from West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey regarding county fire protection funds totaling $176,987.58 and directed staff to disburse amounts to the previously listed departments per the existing schedule.

In new business, the commission approved requisition No. 109 for the University Town Center subaccount in the amount of $1,123,003.75, representing sales tax collected for November less the statutory lien and administrative fee. The panel then approved requisition No. 40 for the Series 2021B Harmony Grove Phase 1 project fund for $88,865, to be paid to Adrian Enterprises ($45,000) and Cogar Enterprises ($43,865).

The board also approved a request to disburse $2,776.19 from the County Fire Protection Contingency Fund to the Monongalia County Volunteer Fire Companies Association as reimbursement for insurance premiums for the county tanker. Commissioners noted a voucher for the item was already in the system and the matter was expedited because of the holiday.

During commissioner reports, Commissioner Tom thanked Administrator Renetta McClure and others for work on transitioning county group insurance to INICRA. Commissioners also summarized participation in a Northeast Natural Energy community engagement panel, described follow-up with an LPR (license-plate reader) vendor and said the county would develop a standard operating procedure to address data safety concerns. Commissioners offered local event updates and closed the meeting; a motion to adjourn was approved and the meeting ended shortly after 10 a.m.

The commission recorded all motions and carried votes by voice for the items above; no ordinances or formal code changes were adopted at this meeting. The commission did not set an effective date for any new policy at this session.