Commissioners report meetings with state agencies; frustration voiced over road funding and 911 rotation

Berkeley County commissioners reported on meetings with state-level officials about permitting, public-safety coordination and roads — and several commissioners expressed frustration with the West Virginia Department of Highways' request that counties provide local buy-in without new local revenue.

Commissioners said they met with state agency representatives in Charleston, including the Department of Health and the Department of Military Affairs (which oversees the state police, fire marshal and emergency management), and that conversations were candid and constructive. One commissioner said the Department of Health acknowledged financial strain but indicated an openness to address permit and application backlogs.

Commissioners raised concerns about the rotation of 911 call handling between the sheriff's office and state police and said staffing shortages in both agencies complicate coverage. The meeting with the Department of Military Affairs included Secretary Buffington and Sen. Baer, and commissioners said they agreed to continue working to determine the best rotation to serve the public.

Several commissioners criticized a Department of Highways approach that conditions project support on "local buy-in" without giving counties additional revenue sources to fund road work. One commissioner said, "It is absolutely ridiculous that the West Virginia Department of Highways would come to counties and ask for them to have local buy in. And we have 0 ability to generate revenues to put towards roads." That speaker also said large counties generate significant state revenue yet receive little back in troopers or highway investment.

Commissioners encouraged continuing face-to-face meetings with state secretaries and observed that having local county representation in Charleston helps move projects forward. They said agency staff committed to better communication on permit requests to reduce months-long delays.

No formal action or vote was recorded on road funding or 911 rotation during the meeting; commissioners described the discussions as progress toward further coordination.