CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — The Harrison County Commission has signed a correspondence restating the responsibilities of the County Administrator after allegations were made that the most recent hiring for the position was done improperly.
Harrison County Clerk Susan Thomas alleged that when Willie Parker was hired to that role in 2013, it violated 7-1-1a of the state code by not passing “a resolution making application to the Legislature to reform, alter or modify an existing form of county government” or receiving a petition to reform, alter or modify from ten percent of the voters.
“We have a difference of opinion,” he said. “County Commission has been operating since the 1980s with administrative staff. There’s over 40 county commissions that utilize and are empowered to have staff under 7-1-3m.”
The section of code Watson cites reads:
“such courts are hereby empowered to employ, fix compensation for and discharge such clerical, stenographic, technical, professional and other personnel…including a county administrator, to coordinate the court’s activities and to do such other things as the court may direct…”
In further defense of the hire, Watson said that Harrison County has been under the “County administrator – county commission plan” since before the section of code Thomas refers to was added in 2008.
“We’re operating the same way. I’ve been here for 14 years, 15 years and it’s been the same. There hasn’t been a change in anything.”
The position was vacant for a time between 2006 and 2013, but Watson said current assistant to the county administrator served as an interim administrator.
Thomas further suggested to the Exponent Telegram that Parker was performing duties outside the scope of his role, a violation of 7-1-3m, which states “…such courts shall not have the power to employ any such personnel to perform powers and duties that are performed by such courts through their clerks pursuant to law.”
The commission countered by saying the county administrator does nothing without their approval.
“Mr. Parker’s role has nothing to do with doing our duty as constitutional officers,” Watson said. “He’s administrative.”
Commissioner Bernie Fazzini added that they do not always approve Parker’s suggestions to the organization and will instruct him to rework projects if they feel there is a need to do so.
Thursday’s meeting would be the last time the subject was debated in that arena, according to both parties.
Watson hopes they will all continue to do the best they can for the citizens.
“We try to do the best we can for the taxpayers out there. That’s our role.”