By Patrick Hurston
The Hardy County Commission met in regular session on Tues., Dec. 18, 2025. All three Commissioners were present.
After review and approval of the Dec. 2 minutes, the Commission approved the County’s updated Comprehensive Plan, concluding a months-long review process that included amendments, public discussion, and coordination with the Planning Commission.
The vote followed clarification from County Planner Melissa Scott on the County Commission’s statutory options under state code: to approve, amend or reject the plan after review by the Planning Commission. At a previous meeting, the County Commission voted to amend the document and returned it with specific changes. The Planning Commission later approved those changes unanimously, with County Commissioner David “Jay” Fansler abstaining. Fansler serves as the County Commission representative on the Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission sent the revised Plan back to the County Commission and also included a separate recommendation asking the County Commission to consider alternative language related to agricultural classifications used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“And I’ll just say, you know, the Planning Commission really, they felt strongly about this. So, they just wanted it to be on the record,” Scott said when presenting the proposed language.
That suggested language, which outlined distinctions between family-owned and nonfamily farms, was presented for consideration but was not adopted.
During discussion, Commissioner Schetrom noted the plan could be amended in the future if needed and emphasized public engagement in the planning process.
Commissioner Dave Workman highlighted the many new statistics and data points that were added to the Comprehensive Plan that helped contextualize Hardy County agriculture, saying “I believe that the statistics that were included throughout helped to answer a lot of the questions that folks may have had about size, scale, scope, and I appreciate the efforts of the Planning Commission.”
Schetrom also thanked the Planning Commission for its work, describing the document as “quite a thorough plan” that includes substantial data intended to address questions about scale and land use.
In other business, Commissioners confirmed execution of a memorandum of understanding with Rockingham County, Va., to improve emergency medical services coverage in the Mathias area. The agreement allows Rockingham County EMS to respond from a new 24-hour station in Fulks Run, reducing response times in the rural eastern portion of the county. Commissioners noted that additional coordination may be needed to align GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping and radio communications between the two jurisdictions.
The Commission also addressed a fire evacuation concern raised by residents on Pine Ridge Road. Officials reported that an evacuation route does exist via Pine Ridge Extension, which connects to Dutch Hollow Road, though only part of the roadway is maintained by the County.
Several funding and administrative items were also approved, including a budget revision to transfer $800 from equipment to travel expenses for Public Information Officer Peggy Moomaw to cover upcoming trips to Charleston.
The Commission also approved the 2026 County holiday calendar, which does not include Juneteenth, unlike last year, citing the state’s current holiday schedule. The 2026 calendar does include both Primary Election Day and Election Day in 2026. The Commission also voted to hold its first meeting of the new year on Tues., Jan. 6, 2026.
Representatives from the Hardy County Chamber of Commerce provided an update on plans for the County’s first-ever “Hardy County Day at the Capitol,” scheduled for Jan. 20, 2026. The event is intended to promote the County, connect with legislators and state agencies, and raise awareness of local economic and tourism opportunities.
Commissioners discussed logistics, including business participation and potential sponsorships.
Commissioners were also briefed on funding delays affecting the South Branch Day Report Center, which serves Hardy, Hampshire and Pendleton counties. Officials said the center had been billing approximately $90,000 per month for services reimbursed by the state but is currently receiving about $12,000 per month due to payment delays. The center is now approximately $320,000 behind in reimbursements dating back to Oct. and Nov., raising concerns about staffing and program continuity.
Commissioner Schetrom said that at a recent emergency meeting of the Day Report Center’s board of directors, three positions were identified for elimination to help cover the shortfall. Since then, he reported, they have had productive conversations with the state, but more work needs to be done.
Later in the meeting, the Commission unanimously approved a one-time funding request of $4,822.22 for the Family Crisis Center after learning the organization experienced a significant federal funding cut and reimbursement delays.
Commissioners described the services as essential and indicated the funding was intended to bridge the gap until other funding sources resume.
Additional actions included authorization to advertise and further study the creation of an additional early voting location in the Baker area for the 2026 election cycle, updates on fire protection and EMS equipment fund distributions, and routine approvals of estates, payroll and accounts.
The meeting adjourned following completion of the agenda. The next scheduled meeting will be Jan. 6, 2026. The public is encouraged to attend.
