Jefferson County Commission Approves Historic Preservation Rules, Employee Benefits, and Several Contracts
Jefferson County commissioners approved new rules protecting historic resources in subdivision regulations on a split 3-2 vote, the only divided vote of the meeting. Commissioners also approved employee health, dental, vision, and life insurance renewal rates for fiscal year 2026-27, and tabled a pay raise for the county administrator until the next meeting.
Highlights
- Split vote on historic preservation rules: Commissioners approved text amendments to the subdivision regulations strengthening historic resource protections. The vote was 3-2, with Commissioners Hefestay and Keys voting no.
- Pay raise for county administrator tabled: A proposed pay increase for County Administrator Edwina Benites-LM was set aside and will be taken up at a future meeting.
- Public hearing set for zoning map change: A hearing on the M&A Investment Group zoning map amendment is scheduled for July 2, 2026.
Consent Agenda
The commission approved minutes from the April 16 regular meeting and the April 21 special meeting. Accounts payable totaling roughly $1.7 million across four pay dates (April 16 through May 7) were approved without objection. Manual checks across the same period totaled about $1.35 million and included large disbursements such as $696,700 in school impact fees and $156,588 to the Jefferson County Farmland Protection Board. Two payrolls were also approved: $485,217 for April 24 and $499,469 for May 8. Six new hires and several promotions in the Emergency Services Agency were approved.
Vote: Passed unanimously on all consent items.
Assessor's Office – Exonerations and Part-Time Hire
County Assessor Angie Banks presented property tax exonerations for commission approval. The commission also approved hiring Amanda Stoneberger as a part-time employee funded from the assessor's general fund.
Vote: Both items passed unanimously.
Years of Service Awards and Leadership Academy Graduation
Eleven county employees were recognized for one or five years of service. Fifteen county staff members received a Certificate of Excellence in Local Governance from Blue Ridge Community and Technical College through the Jefferson County Leadership Academy. No votes were required.
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Presentation
College representatives provided an overview of workforce development programs. The item was informational only. No action was taken.
Proclamations
Three proclamations were adopted unanimously:
- Dr. Mary Hendrix Day
- Dr. Terrance Reidy Day
- Emergency Medical Services Week (May 17–23)
Vote: All three passed unanimously.
Legal Representation Discussion
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Cochran briefed commissioners on legal representation for the commission. The item was informational only. No action was taken.
Fiduciary Review Board
The commission convened as the Fiduciary Review Board to handle estate matters:
- Approved routine new estates, accountings, and waivers of final settlement.
- Reopened the estates of Jeanne Marie Robinson and Wendy Leigh Campbell.
- Referred a petition to remove Roseanne Harris as administrator of the George Leo Harris estate to a Fiduciary Commissioner for a hearing and report.
- Accepted the resignation of the named executor for the Barbara Marie Brown estate and appointed Amanda Lutman as substitute administrator.
Vote: All estate actions passed unanimously.
The commission also certified the results of the 2026 primary election.
Vote: Passed unanimously.
Surveillance Modernization Project Contract
IT Director Gabriel Areizaga presented a contract to modernize security camera systems at four county facilities: 393 N. Lawrence St., 330 building, the Sheriff's Office, and the Emergency Communications Center.
Vote: Passed unanimously.
Sale of Excess County Property
Fleet and Facilities Director Laura Kuhn brought forward a proposal for brokerage services to sell surplus county property. The commission entered executive session for legal advice before returning to open session. No final public action on the sale itself was recorded in the minutes.
Sheriff's Grant – Pup Control
Sheriff Thomas Hansen presented a grant award under the PUP Control program. The commission approved accepting the grant and authorized the commission president to sign the contract.
Vote: Passed unanimously.
Health Department Fee Schedule
The commission approved an updated fee schedule for Jefferson County Environmental Health services.
Vote: Passed unanimously.
Fire and Rescue Association Liaison
Commissioner Hefestay was appointed as the commission's liaison to the Jefferson County Fire and Rescue Association for the remainder of calendar year 2026, effective May 21, 2026.
Vote: Passed unanimously.
Financial Items – CFO David Bound
Ambulance fee exonerations were approved, waiving certain unpaid ambulance billing charges.
Budget adjustments were approved with one modification: line item 001715.421500 was changed from $16,100 to $19,300. A separate motion moved funds from budget category 423 to categories 401 and 711.
A revised grant application authorization policy was also adopted, updating the rules for how the county applies for outside grants.
Vote: All financial items passed unanimously.
Employee Benefits Renewal – FY 2026-27
Human Resources Director Jessica James presented renewal rates for county employee benefits. The commission approved continuing coverage through:
- Health and pharmacy: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Dental and voluntary life insurance: Sun Life
- Vision: National Vision Administrators
No dollar figures for the renewal rates were included in the minutes.
Vote: Passed unanimously.
County administrator pay raise – TABLED. A proposed pay increase for County Administrator Edwina Benites-LM was tabled and will be considered at the next meeting.
Vote to table: Passed unanimously.
Planning and Zoning – Impact Fee Refund
The commission approved a full refund of an impact fee for David Newcomer. No refund amount was specified in the minutes.
Vote: Passed unanimously.
Zoning Map Amendment – M&A Investment Group
The commission scheduled a public hearing for July 2, 2026, on a zoning map amendment requested by M&A Investment Group, LLC. The application was also referred to the Jefferson County Planning Commission to review whether the change is consistent with the county's Comprehensive Plan.
Vote: Passed unanimously.
Historic Resources Text Amendment – Subdivision Regulations
Following a joint session with the Historic Landmarks Commission, the Planning Commission recommended amending Sections 24.113, 24.122, and Division 26.200 of the Subdivision and Land Development Regulations. The changes establish clearer criteria for protecting historic resources during land development. The amendment was first proposed at the January 22, 2026 commission meeting.
Vote: Passed 3-2. Yes: Stolipher, Majdi, Mood. No: Hefestay, Keys.
In a related action, the commission unanimously asked the Historic Landmarks Commission to present options for voluntary historic preservation programs in partnership with state agencies and nonprofits in West Virginia.
Vote: Passed unanimously.
Updated Impact Fee Study
The commission entered executive session for legal advice on the updated impact fee study. No public action was recorded in the minutes after returning to open session.
County Administrator – Grants, FOIA, and Hill Top House
- The commission affirmed a court security grant application.
- The commission hired William Rohrbaugh to assist with FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request processing.
- After executive session, the commission authorized moving forward with Bowles Rice law firm for an engagement letter related to Hill Top House.
- The commission approved a new county logo, selecting the first option with a change to remove shading or folding from the shield design.
Vote: All items passed unanimously.
Legal Matters – Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
After multiple executive sessions for legal advice, the commission took the following public actions:
- Federal court case (Case No. 3:23-cv-00177-TSK, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia): Commissioner Keys moved to proceed as outlined by counsel. Vote: Passed unanimously.
- Comcast franchise agreement: The commission approved a cable franchise agreement with Comcast. Vote: Passed unanimously.
The following items were discussed in executive session but no public action was recorded:
- County property lease adjacent to the Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority
- Commission representation options on the Charles Town Utility Board
- Ongoing opioids litigation
- West Virginia Human Rights Commission Case No. EDR-194-25
A personnel matter regarding employee conduct and workplace safety was removed from the agenda.