Jefferson County Commission Pays Off Ranson EMS Building, Hires School Safety Officers, and Affirms Over $1.5 Million in Grant Applications
Jefferson County commissioners voted to pay off the Ranson Emergency Services Agency building by transferring $760,000 between county accounts, eliminating that debt. The commission also hired three school safety officers and affirmed applications for more than $1.5 million in state and federal grants to support fire, EMS, parks, animal shelter, and rural business programs.
Highlights
- The county paid off the Ranson EMS building with a $760,000 internal account transfer.
- Three school safety officers were hired at salaries ranging from $63,600 to $64,933 each.
- The commission affirmed applications for more than $1.5 million in grants across six programs, with county matching funds required for several.
- A public hearing on a zoning map amendment for M&A Investment Group was rescheduled to August 6, 2026.
- A decision on the petition to probate the will of Edward J. Still was postponed to August 6, 2026.
- The Valley Link/MARL item resulted in a direction to the Prosecuting Attorney's office to research related legal questions — no final action taken.
Consent Agenda
The commission approved meeting minutes from June 4 and June 8, 2026 without objection. Four rounds of accounts payable totaling approximately $2.81 million were approved, covering payroll taxes, health insurance, retirement contributions, fire department payments, and other operating expenses. Manual checks totaling approximately $2.89 million were also approved, including impact fee disbursements and a farmland protection payment of $279,098.98. Two payroll runs totaling approximately $984,271 and a requisition of $3,841,041.46 were approved. The commission also approved the hire of a planning clerk and a salary increase for the director of the Jefferson County Farmland Protection Board.
Assessor's Office: Tax Exonerations and New Hire
The commission approved tax exonerations as presented by County Assessor Angie Banks. Vote: Passed 5-0.
The commission approved hiring Nicholas Connor at $40,000 per year, with a raise after a 90-day probationary period starting July 6, 2026. Vote: Passed 5-0.
Years of Service Recognition
Seven county employees were recognized for their service, ranging from one year to 40 years. June Bowers of the Jefferson County Assessor's Office was recognized for 40 years of service. No action was taken.
Leadership Jefferson and Sheriff Association Recognition
Heather McIntyre of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce recognized county employees who completed the Leadership Jefferson 2026 program. Jonathan Adler of the West Virginia Association of Counties recognized Sheriff Thomas Hansen's election as president of that organization. Both items were informational. No action was taken.
Sheriff's Office: School Safety Officers and Administrative Hire
The commission approved hiring three full-time school safety officers beginning July 20, 2026:
- Robert Owen at $63,600 per year
- Timothy Rice at $64,933 per year
- Larry Houck at $64,933 per year
Vote: Passed 5-0.
The commission also approved hiring Dana Crawford as a full-time administrative assistant at $47,000 per year, beginning July 27, 2026. Vote: Passed 5-0.
Prosecuting Attorney: VOCA Grant Application
The commission approved signing the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) federal grant application for fiscal year 2026–2027. This grant supports victim services programs. Vote: Passed 5-0.
Circuit Clerk: Deputy Clerk Hire
The commission approved hiring Paula Harding as a deputy clerk in the Circuit Clerk's office at a starting salary of $39,500, beginning July 6, 2026. Vote: Passed 5-0.
County Clerk: Fiduciary Board Actions
The commission convened as a Fiduciary Review Board. Vote: Passed 5-0.
The board approved the list of estates opened and accountings and waivers of final settlement received since June 2026. Vote: Passed 5-0.
The board approved reopening the estates of Jeffrey Sussholz and David Drennen. Vote: Passed 5-0.
A decision on the petition to probate the will of Edward J. Still was postponed to August 6, 2026. No action was taken.
The commission reconvened in regular session. Vote: Passed 5-0.
Valley Link / MARL Update
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Groh recused himself from this item. The commission went into executive session to receive legal advice. Vote: Passed 5-0.
After returning to open session, the commission directed the Prosecuting Attorney's office to research legal questions connected to potential changes in Virginia law and the provision of information related to Valley Link. Vote: Passed 5-0.
Parks and Recreation: Black Bear Park and July Proclamation
Jennifer Myers of the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Commission presented a conceptual master plan for Black Bear Park near Shepherdstown, covering proposed recreational amenities and long-term development. The presentation was informational. No action was taken.
The commission approved a proclamation designating July as Parks and Recreation Month. Vote: Passed 5-0.
Zoning: M&A Investment Group Public Hearing Rescheduled
A public hearing on a zoning map amendment for M&A Investment Group, LLC — covering approximately 2.24 acres in the Charles Town District (Map 2, Parcel 18.1) — was rescheduled to August 6, 2026. Vote: Passed 5-0.
Emergency Services: New FF/EMT and Paramedic Hires
The commission approved hiring seven new Firefighter/EMTs and one Firefighter/Paramedic with the Jefferson County Emergency Services Agency:
- Wesley Alt – FF/EMT
- Austin Croy – FF/EMT
- Lee Garrett – FF/EMT
- Darren "Brant" Hamrick – FF/EMT
- Dustin Harmer – FF/EMT
- Tenley Horman – FF/EMT
- Marcus Moore – FF/EMT
- Claire Russell – FF/Paramedic
Vote (EMTs): Passed 5-0. Vote (Paramedic): Passed 5-0.
Finance: Grants, Budget Adjustments, and Ambulance Fees
The commission approved ambulance fee adjustments and exonerations as presented. Vote: Passed 5-0.
The commission approved budget adjustments as presented. Vote: Passed 5-0.
The commission approved the FY26 Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grant. Vote: Passed 5-0.
The commission directed staff to apply for an HRSA Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending grant. Vote: Passed 5-0.
The commission approved the FY24 Emergency Management Performance Grant Award. Vote: Passed 5-0.
Legal: Pending Litigation and Deputy Sheriff Vacation Policy
The commission entered executive session to receive legal advice on three pending court cases: Jefferson County Circuit Court Case No. CC-19-2023-C-221 (Deputies v. JCCC), WV Supreme Court of Appeals Case No. 26-13 (Sidewinder v. JCPC), and Case No. 26-125 (Aitcheson v. JCBZA and JCPC). No action was taken.
To comply with a recent change in state law (WV Code §7-14-17a), the commission raised the annual vacation carryover limit for deputy sheriffs from 30 eight-hour days to 45 eight-hour days. Vote: Passed 5-0.
The commission discussed ongoing opioid litigation. No action was taken.
County Administrator: Ranson EMS Building Payoff and Grant Affirmations
The commission approved transferring $760,000 from one historic Emergency Services Agency account to another to pay off the ESA building in Ranson, and authorized account signatories to execute all related documents. Vote: Passed 5-0.
The commission approved the loan release letter for the Ranson ESA building. Vote: Passed 5-0.
The commission amended its May 21 action to keep the ESA operating account ending in 5974 open as an ICS account for ambulance transfer payments, with any balance above $5,000 automatically swept into the County General Fund. Vote: Passed 5-0.
The commission approved a credit card processing agreement for the Ambulance Fee Office. Vote: Passed 5-0.
The commission approved a Mutual Aid Assistance Memorandum of Understanding with Washington County, Maryland. Vote: Passed 5-0.
The commission affirmed the following grant applications:
- Assistance to Firefighters Grant: $216,000 — County match of $19,636.36 from Coal Severance funds, to be released after a one-time purchase. Vote: Passed 5-0.
- Fire Prevention & Safety Grant: $208,339 — County match of $9,920.91 from Coal Severance funds, to be released after a one-time purchase. Vote: Passed 5-0.
- SAFER Grant: $720,058.05 — County match of $276,022.26 spread over three years, to be encumbered in the salaries and wages line. Vote: Passed 5-0.
- Wild East Action Fund Grant: $20,000 — Match of $3,528 from Jefferson County Parks and Recreation. Vote: Passed 5-0.
- ASPCA Critical Shelter Infrastructure Grant: $35,000 — No county match required. Vote: Passed 5-0.
- USDA Rural Business Development Grant: $75,000 — No county match required. Vote: Passed 5-0.
- West Virginia First Foundation Community Catalyst Grant: $500,000 — No county match required. Vote: Passed 5-0.
Letters of support sent by the county administrator were noted as informational. No action was taken.