Results of PILT Investigation Puts Former Monongalia County Comm - WBOY.com: Clarksburg, Morgantown: News, Sports, Weather

Results of PILT Investigation Puts Former Monongalia County Commissioner Kennedy at Fault

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By Andrew Clay, Monongalia and Preston County Reporter - bio | email
MORGANTOWN -

The Monongalia County Commission said it will speak with its legal team after hearing the results of an investigation into nearly $800,000  is distributed to Monongalia County schools.

On February 13, the commission asked the Sheriff and Chief Tax Deputy to review payments in-lieu-of taxes (PILT) the commission distributed from Longview Power to the school.

The investigation showed that former commissioner Asel Kennedy asked to have the county write checks directly to the school board, rather than distribute the money through normal methods in fear that the school would lose money it receives from the state.

The report said it's unclear whether or not any laws were broken.

Chief Tax Deputy Kelly Palmer said the Basic State Aid Formulation to Public Schools used by the state to distribute funds does not take PILT money into consideration, but adds that the state does reserve the right to do so.

The commission said it will speak with its legal council to see if any laws were broken.

The investigation was not of legal nature, but a finding of fact. Commission President Eldon Callen said during the meeting that the commission's number one job is to ask questions the community is asking them.