Jefferson County Commission to Discuss Water Bills, Public Safety, and Website Modernization

Jefferson County residents can learn about high water bills and engage with their county officials during a public Town Hall meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026. The Jefferson County Commission will convene for its regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the County Commission Meeting Room at 393 N. Lawrence Street, Charles Town, WV. A virtual broadcast of the meeting will also be available via Zoom.

The Town Hall session, commencing at 5:30 p.m., is dedicated to addressing the pressing concern, “Why is my water bill so high?” This will provide an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns and seek explanations regarding their water utility costs. Following the Town Hall, the regular commission meeting will begin. The agenda includes standard procedural items such as calling the meeting to order, moments of silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance to both the U.S. and West Virginia flags.

A significant portion of the meeting will be dedicated to the Consent Agenda, which typically involves the approval of minutes from previous meetings held on January 22, February 5, February 10, and February 12, 2026, as well as the approval of accounts payable and manual checks totaling substantial sums for early February 2026. Payroll approvals for late January and early February 2026 are also on the consent agenda, alongside the approval of requisitions for February 19, 2026, amounting to over $132,000. The commission will also provide announcements and direct attendees to resources for reviewing draft minutes and tracking county expenditures through the West Virginia Checkbook website.

Public comment will be accepted at the beginning of the meeting for fifteen minutes. Residents wishing to participate in person are encouraged to sign up upon arrival and note the agenda item they wish to discuss and their home address. Written comments can also be submitted via email to info@jeffersoncountywv.org, with names and comments to be included in the official minutes.

Under the Regular Agenda, the commission will delve into several new business items. At 6:05 p.m., Sheriff and Treasurer Thomas Hansen is scheduled to discuss personnel matters within the Sheriff’s Department, including the hiring of a part-time bailiff and adjustments related to funding for four bailiffs. At 6:15 p.m., Nikki Painter from the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office will present the winner of the West Virginia Secretary of State’s “I Voted” sticker contest.

Further into the evening, at 6:30 p.m., Girl Scout Troop 15099 will be recognized for their Bat Box Resolution. Laura Kuhn, director of Fleet and Facilities, will seek approval for a furniture donation to the Sheriff’s Department and the Jefferson County Schools Safety Building at 6:45 p.m. Gabriel Areizaga, director of IT/GIS, will present a contract award for website modernization and graphic design services to Vandalia Digital at 6:50 p.m.

At 7:00 p.m., Chief Financial Officer David Bound will address commission ambulance fee exonerations. Finally, at 7:10 p.m., Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Cochran will report on the commission’s options for representation on the Charles Town Utility Board and explore avenues to enhance services for Jefferson County citizens. Additional public comment will be heard following the conclusion of the regular agenda items, before the meeting is adjourned. Correspondence from Mark Werner is also listed for review.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Jefferson County Commission

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