BUCKHANNON – The Upshur County Commission voted to sign a purchase agreement for a potential property acquisition during their Dec. 22 meeting. However, details about the deal — including what property is under discussion and the price — were not made public pending the formal signing of the agreement.

Upshur County Commission president Kristie Tenney said negotiations for the purchase of the property, which have been ongoing for some time, had concluded.

“We would ask today to complete and sign the purchase agreement at this time on the property that we have been discussing,” Tenney said. “Further information will be given to the public after the signing takes place.”

Upshur County Commissioner Sam Nolte made the motion to allow commissioners to sign the purchase agreement and move forward with the transaction. Commissioner Doug Bush seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Stay tuned for more details about the purchase.

In other Upshur County Commission news:

* The commission reviewed and signed correspondence to Melissa Garretson Smith, W.Va. Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority Executive Director, requesting to extend the deadline for the completion of the former jail facility porch renovation project.

* The commission approved a memo from Tabatha R. Perry, County Administrator, requesting an extension of the temporary part-time employment of Breann N. Stanton as LUACF Attendant. Ms. Stanton was previously approved on Oct. 20, 2022, for a maximum of eight weeks of employment, acquiring no more than an average of 19.5 hours per week, effective Oct. 23, 2022. Due to unforeseen circumstances, her assistance is needed through Feb. 19, 2023.

* The commission approved correspondence from Gregory B. Woody, Upshur County Youth Camp Director, requesting the year-round part-time employment of Dylan Booth as Maintenance Technician. Mr. Booth’s employment will begin Jan. 1, 2023.

* The commission also acknowledged proclamations made by Governor Jim Justice on Dec. 16, 2022, permitting public employees to generally cease business the last half of the workday of Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, and Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, in acknowledgment of the holiday season. These proclamations further state that public employees be excused from their work duties the last half of the workday on both days without charge against accrued annual leave. Justice later extended the Friday holiday to a full day due to the winter weather. The courthouse and annex follow the state holiday schedule.