Berkeley County commissioners approved a slate of personnel changes, promotions and resignations and approved assessor recommendations to exonerate certain personal property taxes.

The commission received a hiring recommendation from Jennifer Swisher, director of emergency communications, to hire Beverly Mason as a telecommunicator trainee at an annual salary of $48,674, effective Oct. 27, 2025. The commission also received a hiring recommendation from Fire Chief Martin Roberts for Brad Wright as a part-time firefighter at $17.83 per hour.

County Administrator Gary Wyne presented several temporary 10% increases for staff taking on additional duties: deputy county administrator Chad Weinbrenner (effective Oct. 1, 2025), executive assistant Aliyah Tucker (salary increase from $60,900 to $66,009.90 effective Oct. 1, 2025), and administrative assistant Kirsten Emerick (salary increase from $44,100 to $48,510 effective Oct. 1, 2025). The commission also approved a voluntary step down in the tax office: Melanie Murphy from tax office floor supervisor to tax deputy, with a salary change from $57,225 to $52,628 effective Oct. 15, 2025.

Sheriff Robert (Rob) Blair presented promotions in the tax office: Stacy Horton promoted to tax deputy floor supervisor (salary change to $60,690 effective Oct. 15, 2025) and Francisca Loretta promoted to conservator and estate manager (salary range noted $42,000 to $50,676 effective Oct. 15, 2025). Several letters of resignation were recorded, including Jeanne Blaylock (drug screening technician, community corrections) effective Oct. 15, 2025; Danny Veil Jr., part-time driver effective Oct. 2, 2025; Bobby Anne Folkes in the assessor's office effective Oct. 6, 2025; and Sean Becker, residential building inspector, effective Oct. 15, 2025.

Assessor Larry Hess presented tax-office business. He requested and the commission approved a taxpayer-error personal property exoneration of $467.78 and a separate package of 30 personal property exonerations due to office error totaling $8,451.67. Hess said the $467.78 case was a first offense in which a vehicle had not been marked properly.

Motions to approve the personnel items and the exonerations were made, seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioners did not discuss detailed implementation timelines in public for each personnel action; county staff will handle hiring, promotions and payroll changes in accordance with county policy and applicable budget constraints.