The Calhoun County Commission met on Monday, June 22nd, 2026 for the second of two regularly scheduled meetings opening with prayer, pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for the recent loss of local citizen and businessman, Paul Goodrich and Randy Whited, Roane County Commissioner.
Dana Godfrey addressed the Commission about the industrial park drive building which now houses the Mt. Zion Public service District stating that the back door had been “jimmied” open and that he believes unauthorized personal have been in the building and requested a better sense of security that would prevent unauthorized entrance. He informed the Commission that although he would not mention names, he new of persons who came and went at will that were not associated with the water companies.
Commissioner Eric Lupardus responded that he liked the idea of signs being put up and that he would act on a request to replace the locks via an email from the PSD.
Under Unfinished Business, A Family Court/Health Department Building Update by the request of County Administrator Jennifer Randolph the Commission approved a request to accept a price reduction for the purchase of the Family Court building to $180,000, a $45,000 reduction. Motion was made by Commissioner, Craig Arthur saying that it would be just over four years and the building would be paid for. Seconded by Commissioner Lee Rush, Motion Carried.
The Health Department, which is currently funded by the Calhoun County Commission in the amount of $1,600.00 in rental expense made a Funding Request of $10,900.75. After providing information on what other counties provide in funding which was less than what Calhoun provided with the exception of Wood County, Commissioner Lee Rush who serves on the Health Department Board stated that he did not believe it would be a fair amount for the County to contribute due to the amount already given annually. Commissioner Craig Arthur believed that they were deserving of some funding and made a motion that the Commission give $1,500.00 to the Health Department, which was seconded by Commissioner Eric Lupardus and approved by all.
With regard to Fiscal year 2027 The Commission considered re-allocating ARPA Funds for Public Service District Emergency Needs. Commissioner Lupardus said that the funding was needed for emergency issues but he would like to have all the funding information before the Commission, regarding to the PSD funding information and availability before the Commissioners determined an amount of assistance. After speaking with Mt. Zion Board Member Robin Hughes, Lupardus expressed concerns over the O&M still being a pending issue and that the allocation would likely be divided out to specific needs once information was given as to what was already covered by ARPA funding and remaining needs. A work session meeting will be held to make that determination
Under New Business the Commission Considered their Annual Reimbursement Agreement for Family Court – Supreme Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court will provide a monthly reimbursement of $2,000 per month which the Commission agreed to to accept.
Tanya Cunningham of the Calhoun Wood Festival Committee asked the County Commission to consider a Funding request for the Young Life Group who provided Wood Festival Cleanup, stating that they did an exceptional job. Commissioner Eric Lupardus made a motion that the Commission give the $1,200.00 to the Wood Festival who had already paid for the Youth’s service. He also noted that $1,200.00 had been given to the Molasses Festival for the same purpose. All Commissioners voted to approve the contribution.
Charles Thomas of the Upper West Fork Park provided the Commission an update on the rebuilding of the park’s Community building that had previously been destroyed by fire. The park received $433,000 to rebuild and accepted a bid of $338,000 for a 40×80’ building. Thomas expressed concerns that the funding might not cover the costs due to building material cost increases since the bidding was done. They were working on ways to save money and the contractor was also assisting with that. The County Commission had previously awarded $27,296.58 for work that had not been done for which the park requested that those funds be put aside to use for the new building. The commission agreed to reallocate those funds but requested that the park board request it for the specific needs for which it would be spent. Motion carried for the reallocation.
Melissa O’Brien of CityNet addressed the Commissioners Consideration of CityNet for Courthouse Internet Service after CityNet has made a considerable investment in Calhoun County’s infrastructure. O’Brien requested an estimate of costs for County which is not yet available but they are working toward getting that accomplished. Gilmer County Courthouse recently signed an agreement for CityNet to furnish internet for their building.
Commissioner Lupardus made a motion to advertise that the County will now accept bids for a 40x80x12’ steel building that will house an event center, floor plan in the approval state, which includes a bath and locker rooms.
The Commission previously chose Thrasher Engineering to look into the structural issues allowing water to come into the courthouse on the lower level and will now consider a quote from Thrasher for Digital Scanning of Courthouse and Annex to do later work with the internet service and possibly another grant for an elevator. The motion carried with all commissioners. The scan will hopefully be performed within a few weeks.
Following a request from the Calhoun County Park Board, the Commissioners Considered a Quote from Newbook for a County Park Online Reservation Program, recommended by County Administrator Jennifer Randolph. The program would offer booking assistance and online payment for the many features now offered by the Calhoun County Park. The park board hopes to create park growth and the addition of more cabins and rental income which currently brought in over $15,000 the previous year from Cabin and Barn rental fees. The quote came in at $350 with no implementation fees which Randolph hopes to get even lower. A motion was made by Commissioner Arthur with a second by Commissioner Rush and passed favorably by all.
Commissioner Rush requested the Commission Consider Funding the State Association Dues for the Calhoun Solid Waste Authority of $200 for which the Solid Waste Authority did not have in their budget. The motion carried unanimously.
An update was provided by Commissioner Craig Arthur regarding the Water infrastructure stating that the main priority was getting water to underserved area and to help the county understand how very important this is for the people struggling for something as basic as water. He said that progress had been made but there’s more updates hopefully coming soon for longer term plans. Commissioner Lupardus added that it was the Commissioners job to make sure that funding, such as the ARPA funds, are used in a manner to insure less PSD leakage and become aware of all issues on the public water where funding needs spent. The Commission continues to meet with State representatives who are listening to what Calhoun needs to accomplish.
With Resignations/Appointments to Boards and Authorities.
County Clerk Whitney Butler, when asked for updates on her office, stated that she wanted the community to understand as a newly appointed County Clerk, and having a learning curve without having prior training for the Clerk’s office, she was doing all she could to make the transition into a new budget year easy and that during her time at a County Clerk’s conference this week she hoped to connect with other Counties as to how they conduct their offices. She told the Commission that she wanted to have the answers to questions before they were ask. Commissioner Lupardus Commended Mrs. Butler stating that she had impressed him by her ability to catch onto the job and that she had jumped in and done a great job. He also spoke to her willingness to have a working relationship with all the County offices. Butler said that she wanted her office to be transparent, and that if the community had questions regarding how the money is being spent, just come to the office and ask, she’d gladly take the time to answer any questions.
Larry Whited asked if anything was going on with the dilapidated structure ordinance which Commissioner Lupardus advised there was not. While the Salvage yard ordinance is in effect, they continue to work on the dilapidated structure issues. The Litter Control Officer has been providing information to land owners for voluntary removal of dilapidated structures
Under Boards and Authorities the Calhoun County Commission appointed Roane County resident, Melissa O’Brien to the Little Kanawha Area Development Corporation Board to represent Calhoun County. Lupardus stated that she had a “ton” of experience and believes that she will be a good representative and resource with Calhoun County. Motion approved by all three commissioners.
Terms ending and reappointment was made by the Commission of Kia Ratliff, Graham Knight and Marlin Zwoll to the E-911 Advisory Committee. Jennifer Randolph asked if a Fire Department representative had stepped up to volunteer for the committee which they had not. If any fire department member is interested please reach out to Mrs. Randolph.
Three Animal Shelter Committee resignations occurred due to the limiting number of members allowed.
No business was conducted under, Personnel, Grants , Legal Updates, Erroneous Tax Assessments and Consolidations, Wills, or Bonds, Settlements & Estates Whitney Butle
Approval of Invoices
Motion by Commissioner Eric Lupardus for Approval of the County Administrator to View County Commission Bank Accounts Online, motion passed
There was no Budget Revisions & Transfers.
The Next Regular Meeting: Monday, July 13, 2026 @ 1:30pm.
Agendas are subject to revision up to 2 days prior to the meeting.
