Monongalia County Commission regular meeting August 26, 2026

The Monongalia County Commission held a regular meeting on August 26, 2026, where they approved various administrative and personnel matters including exonerations totaling $10,184.80, payroll and voucher payments exceeding $1.3 million, and several new hires across county departments such as 911 and youth services. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to public comments, with many citizens expressing strong opposition to the county's use of opioid settlement funds to contract with Flock Safety for automated license plate reader (ALPR) surveillance cameras. Concerns raised included privacy violations, questionable effectiveness, and the diversion of funds from proven opioid crisis programs. The commission also approved a grant application for $148,000 from the West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program and discussed a $74,242 emergency shelter grant request for a tankless water heater replacement at the Curtisville Community Building. No new contracts or procurement awards were announced during the meeting, but the public debate highlighted potential future policy considerations regarding surveillance technology and opioid fund allocations.