Commission approves making Extension Office secretary a WVU-paid position to save fringe costs

Kelly Hicks of the Hampshire County Extension Office asked the commission to approve moving the Extension Office secretarial position to be employed and paid through West Virginia University while maintaining the funding in the county budget as a contracted service.

Hicks said the change would yield approximately $20,000 in fringe savings depending on the fringe package selected by the employee and would centralize HR and payroll processes at the university level. She noted timesheets and other administrative tasks would be handled electronically via WVU systems.

Commissioners discussed managerial and HR implications and asked Hicks to provide additional details about WVU benefits. One commissioner cautioned that institutional changes at WVU over time might alter the arrangement, and asked the clerk to consider a budget-modification path after WVU finalizes the personnel decision.

Commissioners moved to approve the request, contingent on WVU approval of the position; the motion passed by voice vote.