Monongalia County Commission approves one-year agreement to administer Marion County floodplain ordinance over protest

The Monongalia County Commission voted 2-1 on April 2 to approve a one-year intergovernmental agreement under which Monongalia County will administer Marion County’s floodplain ordinance until Marion County’s floodplain administrator becomes certified.

County staff explained the agreement during the meeting, saying Marion County moved its floodplain coordinator position and asked Monongalia County to oversee floodplain administration on Marion County’s behalf until certification is complete. The staff presentation said the arrangement has been vetted by the State Floodplain Control Office and is authorized by West Virginia state law.

A motion to approve the intergovernmental agreement passed after a recorded objection. One commissioner was recorded as opposed, saying, "I'm against it. Noted." The commission chair announced the vote as 2–1 in favor.

The commission did not adopt new floodplain policy at the meeting; the action authorizes Monongalia County to administer Marion County’s existing ordinance under the terms of the agreement for a one-year period. County staff characterized the measure as an administrative arrangement to ensure continued floodplain oversight while Marion County completes certification.

The commission’s action does not itself change Marion County’s ordinance; county staff said Marion County’s Floodplain Administrator will resume local administration once certified. The staff presentation referenced West Virginia State Code as the legal basis for the arrangement and noted review by the State Floodplain Control Office.

The commission did not set a date in the meeting for reporting back on implementation or certification progress.