By Stephen Smoot
On July 1, the Harrison County Commission held its first meeting of the month of July and also for fiscal year 2027. It opened with the customary invocation by Commissioner Patsy Trecost, who prayed “Help us to be faithful in our prayer so that we may glorify You . . . in Jesus’ name we pray.”
One of the first items of business lay in approving a letter to engage the law firm Steptoe and Johnson in “relation to the modification of the project plan and extension of the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District for Development District Number Four White Oaks Industrial Park.
Tom Aman from Steptoe and Johnson noted that without approval from the development office and County Commission “that would terminate the engagement” which is established “just for the efforts to modify the district.”
Commissioners David Hinkle and Patsy Trecost noted the lack of progress thus far and suggested periods of time for the Commission to revisit the issue and receive updates. Commissioner Hinkle suggested six months and Commissioner Trecost a year.
Commissioner Trecost stated “that way it goves you a chance to do your due diligence and move forward” while Commissioner Hinkle noted “they haven’t gotten anything started or moved in six months.”
Aman shared that “I just need to get some information from the developer to complete it and then I’ll be ready to put that in front of you all . . . so I think you’ll be seeing some progress within a month.”
Commissioner Hinkle then raised questions about the potential use of artificial intelligence, saying “do we have to agree to that?” Aman replied that they use AI software that is completely separated and closed off from other systems. When Commissioner Hinkle asked about a company policy on AI use and staff training on effective use.
After Aman replied that staff receive training on identifying inaccuracies and other issues, Commissioner Hinkle said “sounds like a good policy” then made the motion to meet in six months “with automatic renewal for another six months if progress is being made.” The motion also excluded AI from the contract, which Aman said was acceptable.
Harrison County Commission President Susan Thomas noted that “it’s ironic” that AI had come up because “we’re looking at an AI policy today.” Commissioner Hinkle added “I love that their policy is a closed system and that they’re using and giving their people training. And I don’t see that in our policy and it’s something I think we need to take under further guidance in our policy.”
The City of Salem then came forward to request $1,500 to assist their events committee “to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.”
Commissioners later approved a $2,000 request from the City of Clarksburg to defer some of the cost of their fireworks display. They then voted in favor of $1,500 requests from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department and the cities of Clarksburg and Bridgeport for National Night Out events. This event takes place across the country and helps law enforcement officers develop engagement with the community in a fair and festival type atmosphere.
Amy Comer, the new City Manager, made the request for “funding for not only the support for the decorations, which we will be using year after year, and for investment in future events. Commissioners approved the request unanimously.
Shinnston Little League also came to request assistance “to go to the West Virginia State Baseball Tournament in Barboursville” from July 17 through the 24th. Corey Hagan spoke on behalf of the organization on Zoom. He said “I’m not asking for a set amount, but it takes a lot for 12 kids to go down there and stay for hotels, meals.” Hagan reminded Commissioners that the team won the state championship in 2025 “and we were down there for nine days because of rainouts, so it does take a a lot.”
Commission President Thomas asked her colleagues “are we okay with three?” They then approved $3,000 to support the squad.
Next came discussion of nuisance properties with the news that one near Shinnston had been cleaned up, but another near Mount Clare “has gotten far worse.”
Not long after came a discussion and update on Rail Trail progress.
After that discussion, covered elsewhere, Commissioners discussed the Harrison County Artificial Intelligence Policy. It was assembled in part, said County attorney Trey Simmerman, from guidance by State code and the National Association of Counties.
Commissioner Hinkle inquired about limitations or “platforms that are strictly for government.” Simmerman affirmed that “we can look at a closed system, closed AI.”
Commission President Thomas stated “we need to know what’s going on where” and after further discussion, concluded “it looks like we need to do more work.”
After Simmerman stated that he was not aware of a State policy, Commissioner Hinkle said “so well, let’s make us number one. Let’s make us the model.”
At the close of the meeting, Commissioners authorized a “substantial grant” submission to fund work on the former Sunset Ellis property.
