The Tyler County Commission met on Friday, May 8, 2026, in the auditorium of the Senior Center in Middlebourne. Commissioners began the meeting by approving the minutes from the April 28, 2026 meeting, along with the fiduciary report and the exonerations.

After 30 years of dedicated service, Eric Peters, Executive Director of the Tyler County Development Authority (TCDA), has announced his plans to retire.

Peters appeared before the county commissioners this week to seek approval for the hiring of a new TCDA executive director.

Peters emphasized his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition, offering to mentor the incoming director and provide them with all the knowledge and guidance necessary to assume the role for as long as it takes to make the new director comfortable in the position.

Peters also stressed that the executive director position should be structured as a full-time position with benefits. Mr. Peters suggested two options. One that the position be a full-time position with benefits as a direct employee of the TCDA and two, the full-time position with benefits be a direct employee of the Tyler County Commission. Mr. Peters also asked for permission to run an ad for the position with an entry level salary of approximately $53,000. Commissioners expressed that they were acceptable to either option and that they would need some time to draft the best option for the TCDA. Commissioners did approve moving forward with an ad posting the position.

Plans for a successor are still in the early stages, but Peters’ longstanding experience and willingness to support the next executive director signal a thoughtful approach to leadership continuity at the TCDA.

Chief Tax Deputy, Christopher Keller asked for approval to release the delinquent tax publication list to the local media. Commissioners approved the request.

Commission President Lance Hickman then asked for approval to change the June 23, 2026, meeting date to June 30, 2026, due to a conflict with the annual county clerk conference. Commissioners approved the request. Mr. Hickman then read a proclamation from the Wetzel/Tyler Health Department stating beginning May 8, 2026, Tyler County will be designated a Stroke Smart County. As a Stroke Smart County, the health department would release all the warning signs of a stroke and the necessary steps to be taken if any of the symptoms occurred. Commissioners approved the proclamation. Mr. Hickman then asked for approval for the renewal of the construction rental agreement for the fencing that surrounds the temporary courthouse site for a period of six months for a total cost of $2,598.88. Commissioners approved the renewal.

Commissioners then approved the proposal from ITEC for the phone system upon completion of the courthouse renovation. ITEC will provide roughly 70 new phones with 34 lines including fax lines at a cost of $2,237.66 a month. This represents a savings of over $11,000 a month and will replace the current supplier Frontier.

Chief Deputy Shannon Huffman asked for approval to adopt House Bill 5564 regarding vacation time for deputies. The new bill allows the deputies to roll over either 45 or 60 days once they accrue the time. Deputies can accrue up to 24 days a year. Deputy Huffman asked that the commissioners approve a 60 day roll over. Commissioners approved the request.

Prosecuting Attorney Luke Furbee and Legal Counsel Tiffany Durst then asked for an Executive Session to discuss the appellate relief in appellate court regarding pending litigation. The Commission went into the session at 9:48 AM with no announcement following the session.

Following the executive session and payment of the bills the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Tyler County Commission will be held on May 26, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the auditorium of the senior center.