Berkeley County Commission approves budget revision, relocates early voting site; water district to review over $2.3 million in payments
Berkeley County Commission approved a state budget revision, relocated an early voting site, and authorized tax exonerations and a drug screening contract at its July 23 meeting, according to official minutes. Several other county boards met the same week to review development plans, infrastructure payments, and operational matters, though most agendas have not yet been followed by published minutes.
County Commission
The commission unanimously approved State Budget Revision #1 for Fund 001 and voted unanimously to relocate the early voting site to South Berkeley Fire Station. The board also unanimously approved continuance of the Emergency Absentee Voting Policy.
In procurement actions, the commission awarded a bid to Redwood Toxicology for drug screening cups at $2.19 per cup (unanimous). The board approved 12 personal property tax exonerations totaling $3,735.50 and 32 personal property tax exonerations totaling $7,389.97, both unanimous. Two applications for property consolidation were approved unanimously. The commission tabled the removal of a Convention & Visitors Bureau board member by unanimous vote.
The commission met again July 30 to discuss acceptance of a FY23 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant, a bid recommendation for RFP Laptop Computers, a Health Department Vehicle Use Agreement, a Berkeley Medical Center MOU and BAA, and bond releases for Snooks Lane Storage and Opal Meadows. Minutes from that session have not yet been published.
Water District
The Berkeley County Public Service Water District Board of Directors was scheduled July 27 to review and vote on several payment applications totaling over $2.3 million. Items included Pay Resolution #21 for Bunker Hill Water Treatment Plant at $1,445,117.05, Pay Application 9 for Industrial Zone Tank Construction at $552,074.05, Invoice Application 9 for Ridge Road Tank Replacement at $189,042.66, and Pay Resolution #27 for Potomac River Water Plant expansion at $36,423.44. The board was also scheduled to discuss a long service line on Connector Rd.
Planning Commission
The Berkeley County Planning Commission was scheduled July 20 to hold public hearings and review several development projects. Agenda items included Final Plat Approval for Bridle Creek, Phase 7, Section 1 (Lots 701-708 & 737-788), Concept Plan Approval for Anchor Point, Preliminary Plan Approval for Rutherford Lane Development, and Detailed Site Plan Determinations for Grant County Bank and Stonecrest – Parcel A.
Sewer District
The Berkeley County Public Service Sewer District Board of Directors was scheduled July 21 to discuss Resolution No. 14 regarding the Northwinds Package Plant Removal Project, Pay Request No. 9 for the Chopwood Pump Station Replacement Project, Pay Requests No. 2 and No. 3 for the Spring Mills Pump Station Removal Project, and updates on the Woods Lagoon WWTP Upgrade Project and Ecolab Pretreatment Facility Compliance.
Other Boards
- **Airport Authority** (July 20): Scheduled to elect officers, review the June budget report, and hold a possible executive session on a property and legal matter.
- **EPTA** (July 20): Scheduled to review a proposed board resolution on the Multimodal Transit Center, RFP 2026-037 for Annual Audit Review Services, RFP 2026-03 for Low Floor Mini Van, a proposed Code of Conduct, and a proposal to resume in-person only meetings.
- **Storm Water** (July 21): Scheduled to approve financials and hold executive session on legal and contractual matters.
- **Parks & Recreation** (July 21): Scheduled to consider action on a United Bank C.D., an RFP for banking services, and a brush cutter purchase.
- **Senior Services** (July 22): Scheduled to review Finance, Facilities & Equipment, Personnel, and Fund Development committee reports.
- **Ambulance Authority** (July 23): Scheduled to discuss a Vendor Billing Agreement Amendment.
- **Museum Board** (July 23): Scheduled to review Mills Group marketing/fundraising materials, building studies, and a Norwalk Foundation grant proposal.
- **CVB** (July 29): Scheduled to consider a $4,674.90 Support Grant for Berkeley County Pride and a $2,500 Print Media Grant for the Martinsburg Haunted History and Legends Tour.
- **Library** (July 30): Scheduled to discuss Centennial celebration plans, Library Plaza plans, and branch reopening updates.
Coming Up
- **August 3 — Planning Commission**: Public hearings on eight development projects, including water storage tanks, residential plats, and a concept plan. Staff will also discuss the Comprehensive Plan Update ahead of an August 17 work session.
- **August 4 — Sewer District**: Discussion and action on Alternate Mainline Extension Agreements, plus project updates on the Woods Lagoon WWTP Upgrade, Northwinds Package Plant Removal, Chopwood Pump Station Replacement, and Spring Mills Pump Station Removal projects.
- **August 4 — Storm Water District**: Routine financials and minutes approval, with a possible executive session on legal and contractual matters.