MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Monongalia County Commissioners believe 2024 was a year of relationship building, problem solving, and accomplishment.
On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” all three commissioners, President Sean Sikora, Commissioners Tom Bloom, and Jeff Arnett, said their staff has carried the load of their vision during the year and have performed admirably. The Commission was honored by the County Commission Association of West Virginia, earning County of the Year and Administrator of the Year awards. County Administrator Rennetta McClure was awarded the “Shining Star Award,” marking her as the most outstanding administrator in the state this year.
Sikora said key partnerships with the city, non-profits, government entities, and the county staff helped address several problems and priorities throughout the year.
“The partnerships that were evidenced during the year,” Sikora said. “Everything that came in front of our agenda and how we dealt with it with professionalism and transparency—looking out for our citizens’ best interests.”
Mylan Park celebrated 25 years of growth and serving the community in 2024. Part of that growth through the commission and Visit Mountaineer Country CVB includes a five-year deal with the Mountain East Athletic Conference to bring their conference championships to the Peak Health Track and Field Complex at Mylan Park. The 11-team conference will use the Monongalia County facilities for a five-year period beginning in April of 2025.
“The Peak Health Aquatic Center at Mylan Park and the Peak Health Track and Field Complex at Mylan Park is the how of WVU swimming and track, but to use those facilities and bring other entities that want to use our amenities is a big deal,” Sikora said. “That’s a lot of coverage throughout the state and the region.”
Sikora also noted an increase in participation in economic development and subdivision regulations. The work to establish a subdivision and land division ordinance (SALDO) is ongoing and has involved input from multiple members of the county.
“For the first time since being on the commission, we now have representatives from Westover, Star City, and Granville on the Monongalia County Development Authority, so they’re interested and coming to the table,” Sikora said. “Everybody is interested in what’s going on in the county, and everybody is working together.”
Commissioner Tom Bloom pointed to efforts to control costs over the course of many years that have allowed them to avoid increases to levy and property tax rates.
“I believe this is the 8th year in a row we have not raised the levy rates, and we’re now the second lowest in the state,” Bloom said. “We continually do that even though we continue to have challenges.”
One of the largest challenges for the entire community was establishing a shelter following the closure of the Bartlett House. Commissioner Jeff Arnett said the discussions with the city, State Senator Mike Oliverio, R Monongalia, 13, and Catholic Charities West Virginia were detailed and difficult but resulted in a financial agreement between the two to reopen the triage shelter and come to a financial agreement on the operation of the warming shelter.
“We have a great rapport with the council, and the mayor, whoever it is—now it’s Mayor Joe and the city manager,” Arnett said. “I haven’t seen any real friction, but they have their positions, and we have ours.”
Late in the year, the city and county agreed to provide a letter of support for the Milan Puskar Health Right Living in Good Health Together (LIGHT). The county letter of support came with requests for increased collaboration with the Monongalia County Health Department and improvements to referrals, all things commissioners said they have already seen progress on.