Berkeley
County Commission
2006
Accomplishments
1.
Building Facilities
a.
Berkeley Building – Completed construction work by Brechbill and
Helman on new Judicial Center.
b.
Berkeley County Judicial Center Dedication – October 6, 2006.
c.
Began move of judicial offices to the new Judicial Center by the
third quarter of 2006.
d.
Developed initial plans for use of the Crawford Building by the
Twenty-third Circuit.
e.
Bid and awarded bid for window replacement and painting in the Dunn
Building.
f.
Converted loan to the Berkeley County Development Authority to
purchase of 8.6 acres in the Tabler Station Business Park for use as an
Emergency Services/Law Enforcement Center.
g.
Completed and awarded open contract for completion of the
architectural/engineering services for county facilities.
h.
Closed on purchase of Raleigh Street property.
2.
Planning
a.
Completed the comprehensive plan and held public meetings prior to
its adoption by the Planning Commission and County Commission.
b.
Selected consultant for preparation of zoning ordinance.
c.
Began preparation of draft zoning ordinance.
d.
Continued work on development of a GIS department and enlargement
of technology through the placement of records on line in the Planning
Department.
e.
Placed bid for aerial photography connected to GIS development.
3.
Economic Development
a.
Initiated infrastructure work at Tabler Station Business Park
through partnership with the Development Authority and Region 9 Planning
and Development Council.
b.
Continued pursuit of prospects for sale of lots in the Tabler
Station Business Park completing the sale of one lot in the Business Park
and expression of interest in the second sale by the County Commission.
4.
Technology
a.
Added the Berkeley Building to the computer network through
expansion of the fiber network from the Dunn Building
b.
Continued back scanning of circuit clerk’s records from 1993 to
the present.
c.
Public records made available for trial review through “Virtual
Courthouse” and view only technology.
d.
Continued work on the proofing of the County Clerk’s index.
e.
County Clerk information made available for trial review through
“Virtual Courthouse” view only technology.
f.
Continue back scanning of County Clerk’s records and made
available for trial review through “Virtual Courthouse” view only
technology.
g.
Continue exploration of payment of taxes and fees on-line through
changes to State Code if required.
h.
Completed first election with new electronic voting technology.
i.
Assessor’s office work commenced on mapping of system in GIS
format.
5.
Personnel
a.
Completed job descriptions and classifications for all positions
within County government.
b.
Implemented classification system for Fair Labor Standards Act
provisions.
c.
Completed second year Compensation Plan for Berkeley County
employees.
6.
Wireless Communication Project – Completed purchase arrangements
for all equipment, installed equipment and distributed equipment as needed
and completed renovations to Central Dispatch offices and sites.
7.
Transportation Plan – Continued work with the Metropolitan
Planning Organization in its traffic study and report for inclusion in the
Comprehensive Planning process.
8.
Continued work with the Clean Air Task Force to approve plan and
recommendations to the state, hire a new Clean Air Task Force coordinator,
and coordinate with members of the Clean Air Task Force Early Action
Compact and neighboring regional stakeholders.
9.
Worked with the Airport Authority to assist with first Balloon
Show.
10.
Supported the development of a Fire Board Long Range Plan and
Capital Improvement Plan and its implementation with year one funding.
11.
Continued the ongoing work of deed closures on easements
recommended by the Farmland Protection Board and approved by the Berkeley
County Commission.
12. Solid Waste Authority
a.
Assist in the continued site improvements to the South Berkeley
Recycling Center and Grapevine Road Recycling Centers through grant
administration of state grants.
b.
Requested a plan from the Solid Waste Authority for improvements to
the Hedgesville and North Berkeley Recycling centers and development of a
new site in North Berkeley County to service Spring Mills, Hammonds Mills
and other planned developments.
c.
Continued stakeholder meetings with Solid Waste officials, state
officials and the County Commissions and municipalities of the region to
develop and implement strategies to deal with the ongoing solid waste
emergency in the Eastern Panhandle.
d.
Requested a plan for the location of a transfer station in Berkeley
County modeled after the Jefferson County example.
e.
Requested development of a commercial recycling facility in
Berkeley County.
- Affordable
Housing – Established a consortium under the auspices of the City of
Martinsburg to prepare proposals with Housing and Urban Development on
affordable housing in the Eastern Panhandle.
- Appointed
County Commission appointees to Consortium.
- Held
a public hearing on affordable housing needs in December.
- Advertised
for receipt of proposals on affordable housing due January 11, 2007.
- Inwood
Watershed Project –
- Continued
assistance to the Soil Conservation District in their ongoing
project for the Inwood Watershed.
- Continued
to explore funding sources to assist in the construction of the
project.
- Began
engineering work in earnest on design for the Waterway and explored
creation of a separate Public Service District to manage project.
d.
Berkeley County Public Service Sewer District designated as Public
Service District to accept grant proceeds for project and to oversee
construction and fee structure.
15. Closed
on 5.3 million dollar bond issue dedicated to capital facilities for
Berkeley County
government.
