The Calhoun County Commission met Wednesday May 27th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Little Court room of the Calhoun County Courthouse. Commissioner Craig Arthur opened the meeting in prayer with the Pledge of allegiance following.
The meeting was called to order by Commission President Eric Lupardus
An update was provided by the American Red Cross of the Ohio River Valley by Sharon Kesselring, Executive Director. The update provided what services had been done in the area as well as what was available from the American Red Cross to local citizens.
An unnamed woman spoke during the delegation time to share her concerns for the chemical spraying by the Department of Highways and Water Companies along the roadside, hydrants and other areas to remove high grass and weeds. Her concern was for the creeks, and water supply, saying that the vegetation was needed and that the removal was causing low berms on the roadway as well as threatening wild life. Commissioner Lupardus informed her that the Commission had no oversight over those agencies but that he would send a letter on her behalf to the State at her request.
Minutes from prior meetings were reviewed and approved.
In the matter of Unfinished Business the Commission Considered and approved the Transfer of an Inactive OES Bank Account to an Active 911 Bank Account. A letter was drafted to remove former Director Julie Sears and Michael Yeager from an account which contained levy funds deposited when there was a levy for the Office of Emergency Services and to have the current Director Kelli Barr and President Eric Lupardus added to the account. The letter was reviewed and approved by the Commission so that the funding could be used for Emergency Services.
Under New Business LKADC Director Shelia Burch requested the Commission’s continued annual contribution to the Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation’s efforts by providing matching funds. Mrs. Burch announced her retirement in October and that having this funding in place before that occurs would help the Board prepare for her replacement. The $9,000 requested is actually returned through rental funds paid by the LKADC for their office space in the courthouse annex.
Commissioner Lupardus requested a copy of the LKADC bylaws which Mrs. Burch agreed to provide. Good news was reported that the LED funding which had been threatened to be reduced to $22,000 by the Legislature, was later increased to $43,000 which helps meet the costs of running the agency with a $43,000 match provided by the LKADC. Wirt County also contributes their share of the LKADC.
The agreement presented was to begin July 1st, 2026 which Lupardus requested to wait, but Mrs. Burch stressed the importance of getting it done so that her board could proceed with planning. The amount requested had not changed in greater than 20 years. Lupardus asked Mrs. Burch if her agency had any plans in moving to the former Minnich’s Florist building (owned by the LKADC) which she responded that they did not because their plan was to lease it to a professional and she would like to have that in place before the new staff member and board members would be required to manage it. She also advised the Commission that the BF Goodrich building is in Phase 2 of the environmental study that is being conducted. Lupardus requested that the LKADC keep the Commission advised of available properties for industry. A motion was made by Commissioner Lee Rush to provide LKADC the $9,000 requested, a signed rental agreement, and to sign them on as the lead Economic Development Agency for Calhoun. A second was made by Commissioner Craig Arthur. Commissioner Lupardus requested that the matter be tabled and the need to build a relationship with the LKADC. He stressed his need to know the goals of the LKADC for small business in Calhoun County, to which Mrs. Burch responded that she had done nothing but explain herself, that she had brought in 3 million dollars in loan and grant funding, she started a business incubator project, and that she had provided a six page report a month ago. “I’m at it every day,” she said. She listed multiple agency partnership in various counties and state agencies that she had good working relationships with and that Commissioner’s Arthur and Rush had both expressed to her that they thought she was doing a good job. Commissioner Lupardus said that it was nothing against anyone and that he realized that everyone was working for small businesses. Mrs. Burch informed Commissioner Lupardus that although she considered her business relationship with the other two Commissioners a good working relationship, the one between the two of them was a mystery. Although the conversation ended without any further commentary from the two, Commissioner Arthur did say that they could agree to disagree and Mrs. Burch said that her focus would continue to be on Small business which is what she deemed as important and that waiting was a hardship for her committee. When Commissioner Lupardus asked for the approval as presented, all three Commissioners voted yes.
Commissioner Lupardus has been talking to Charles Thomas and Deidre Purdy of the Upper West Fork Park Board regarding their Budget for Event(s) and the process of the replacement of their building following a fire that destroyed their community building last year. Once the new building is complete a headline event is being planned and funding needed. $5,000 is currently in the budget for the 2026/2027 year but a motion was made by Lupardus for an additional $5,000 to go into the capital outlay of the Upper West Fork Park which was approved.
Park Benches for a Proposed Mountaineer Mile in Grantsville was presented by Donna Schoolcraft for a partnership through Hope Gas and grant funding designated for the Mountaineer Mile. Space for two benches have been requested to be placed on the courthouse property and were approved by the Commission.
Commissioner Updates:
Commissioner Rush updated the Commission regarding his recent meeting with the LKADC and attendance at their quarterly meeting.
Commissioner Lupardus updated on the a recent trip to Charleston to discuss the progress on the Norman Ridge, Annamoriah and West Fork Water Projects and the need to follow up with engineers for a progress report. The group met with Secretary of State Kris Warner and the office of entrepreneurialship which can help new businesses. The Secretary of State had requested the meeting to discuss how he could help Calhoun County. The office of entreprenuerialship will also be working through the 1982 Foundation as the Avalon Campus is nearing their grand opening date.
The first Citizen of the Year Larry Whited’s name was added to the new plaque that will be on display at the Calhoun County Courthouse and added to each year with the newly selected community members.
Wood Festival – the Calhoun County Wood Festival will be held next week and more information can be found on the Wood Festival website
Resignations/Appointments to Boards and Authorities
- The Mt. Zion PSD received three letters of int
- Joe Skaggs
- Dana Godfrey
- John Frail
- Dana Godfrey was the only resume submitted with qualifications listed.
- Motion was made by Craig Arthur to appoint Dana Godfrey, second by Lee Rush, motion carried.
- Animal Shelter Board
- The following names were submitted in interest of serving were:
- Jen Smith
- Jane Carpenter
- Seana Miller
- Motion by Eric to approve all three, second by Craig Arthur, motion passed.
Personnel
- Consider Revisions to County Employee Handbook
- Jennifer Randolph revised and sent the employee handbook out to elected employees and selected staff and received no feedback. She requested that it be sent out again for another chance to respond.
- Consider Pay Increase for Dispatcher Amber Riggs
- 911 Director requested that this be tabled for the opportunity to have it brought before the 911 Advisory Board.
- Grants
- EECBG – Open Bids for Courthouse Lighting Project – Tabled until the next meeting
- The Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department received a grant to provide AED’s for each truck
- The Grantsville VFD also received a donation of water from an individual to wash down the streets prior to the Calhoun County Wood Festival.
- Wills, Bonds, Settlements & Estates were presented to the Commission for signatures by County Clerk Whitney Butler
- Financial
- Approval of Invoices
- Budget Revisions & Transfers
- Adjournment
- Next Regular Meeting: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 @ 1:30 pm
- Agendas are subject to revision up to 2 days prior to the meeting.
