Morgan County approves $64,978 transfer, MOU to fund paid fireboard position

The Morgan County Commission voted to transfer $64,978 from Fund 43 to the county fireboard fund and approved a memorandum of understanding to hire a paid fireboard position to support volunteer departments. Commissioner (name not specified) moved and the commission voted “Aye.”

The request came during public comment from Justin Michael, who identified himself as “the chief of Burkes Springs Volunteer Fire Company.” Michael told the commission, “We are here to ask the county commissions to approve a county position for us to make a, a paid, fire department position to represent the fire board.”

Why it matters: Commissioners and fire department representatives said volunteer recruitment and call volume drove the request. Michael said the Berkeley Springs area and other volunteer companies are handling heavy call loads: “currently this year, we have, or up to 1,300 calls so far this year,” and asked the commission to help fund a permanent, paid position to coordinate among departments.

Commission discussion focused on funding source and long-term obligations. A commissioner said the county previously contributed half of an administrative salary and noted the county’s salary line decreased from $35,769 last year to $18,715 this year, and that the commission must be clear whether a portion of the new position’s salary would be an ongoing county obligation. The commissioner asked whether the fireboard stipend and benefits were guaranteed in an MOU and whether the fireboard fund replenishes annually.

County staff and fireboard representatives said the new position’s initial funding would come from existing fire-protection funds and a portion of a previously budgeted salary line. Commissioner (name not specified) moved to “approve and transfer $64,978 from Fund 43 to the fireboard fund to support the hiring of [a] full time position in Berkeley Springs Fire Department,” and the motion passed without recorded opposition.

The commission also approved a separate motion to adopt the memorandum of understanding among the Morgan County Commission, the Morgan County Fire Board, and the Berkeley Springs Volunteer Fire Company to effect the hire of the fireboard/captain position.

Officials emphasized the vote does not solve volunteer shortages. A commissioner said the transfer “doesn't solve the problem completely” and asked staff to pursue regional grants and an evaluation of calls, staffing and volunteer recruitment strategies. Commissioners requested clearer MOU language that specifies who will pay the stipend and benefits over time and whether the arrangement will persist if boards or personnel change.

Next steps: The commission approved releasing funds and the MOU; staff and the fireboard will post the position and return with any additional clarifications needed in the agreement or budget.

Details recorded at the meeting: the transfer amount ($64,978); prior salary and benefit line items ($35,769 last year; $18,715 this year); and that the fireboard anticipated contributions from member departments (approximately $7,000–$7,500 each) toward the position’s funding.