WELLSBURG — On Tuesday, Brooke County commissioners filled a vacant commission seat, named a new director for the county’s 911 center and approved its budget for the 2026 fiscal year.

Commissioners Tom Diserio and Stacey Wise agreed to appoint Christina White, the 911 center’s current director, to fill the seat of A.J. Thomas, who stepped down Feb. 29.

White will serve the remainder of this year, while the executive committees of any political party may name candidates, which could include White, for the seat in this year’s general election.

The winner of such a race would serve the remaining five years of Thomas’ term.

White regularly attends commission meetings and was on hand to hear of her appointment.

She told the commissioners, “I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to continue to serve. I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m willing to learn and to work hard, as I always have, for this county.”

White has been employed by the county’s 911 center for 27 years, serving as its director for six.

In that time, she has overseen the center’s adoption of new communications equipment and relocation to a larger area of the county courthouse once occupied by circuit court offices that were moved to the new judicial center.

She had resigned earlier from the position but remained until the commission could appoint a successor, which also occurred Tuesday.

Lt. Kristen Richmond Saranovic of the Brooke County Sheriff’s Department was named to the position, effective April 1, for which she will receive a starting salary of $60,000.

Saranovic became the department’s first female deputy in 2011 and was part of a K-9 unit there for a time.

The commission also approved an $11,770,379 budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, noting it must be submitted to the state auditor’s office for final approval.

Wise said the commission anticipates a slight drop in revenue, about $188,848.

She said, “This commission worked diligently to slightly reduce our budget with the least amount of negative impact while redirecting funds for increased wages (for county employees).

“This proposed budget will keep our salaries at a competitive rate, and we were able to continue to fund a very competitive benefits package for our employees,” she said.

“We believe Brooke County is still in a good financial position. This commission continues to be committed to giving the citizens of our county the best service possible for their tax dollar,” Wise said.

While the commission will formally establish the county’s levy rate at its April 21 meeting, the budget reflects the levy rate of 13.63 cents per $100 of assessed property value that has been in place in recent years.

In other business:

�–� The commission appointed Thomas to fill a vacant seat formerly held by a community member who resigned on the county’s ambulance authority.

�–� The commission heard from Richard Starck of City Alliance LLC, who offered his services in establishing a cloud-native software platform for the county’s various departments.

Diserio invited department heads to speak with him.

�–� Dale Butler, the county’s election clerk, said poll workers from both major political parties are needed for the May 12 primary election. The workers will be on hand at polling places and assist with other tasks from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. that day after completing a short training session.

For information, call 304-737-3661.