Greenbrier Commission accepts help with Comprehensive Plan update, elects Lowell Rose to return as Commission President
By Matthew Young, RealWV
LEWISBURG, W.Va. – The Greenbrier County Commission, on Wednesday, selected Commissioner Lowell Rose to serve as commission president for the 2025 calendar year.
As explained by current Commission President Tammy Tincher, “We usually do this at the first meeting of the year, but because we are getting a new sheriff, we do need to do this in advance this year to have everything in order.”
Chief Deputy Bart Baker, who was elected last month to be Greenbrier County’s next sheriff, will be assuming the office from the retiring Bruce Sloan as of Dec. 31.
Rose’s selection was unanimous. As it has become something of a custom in Greenbrier County to alternate commission presidents within commissioner’s six-year terms, this will be Rose’s second time serving in the role.
In other business, commissioners approved a proposal from the Greenbrier Environmental Group to “facilitate public participation in the 2025 comprehensive plan update, and associated contracts.”
County Attorney Britt Ludwig was on hand to explain the proposal.
“As the commission is aware, we have set a rather ambitious goal to complete the comprehensive plan update by the end of April 2025,” Ludwig said. “Work has already begun, but a very time-consuming and critical aspect of that is the public input process.”
“Greenbrier Environmental has the expertise,” Ludwig added. “They’ve been through that process before. In fact, Mr. (Matt – Director) Ford has participated in out comprehensive planning process previously as a volunteer, and he’s also done that professionally.”
According to Ludwig, the Greenbrier Environmental Group’s proposal will not exceed $10,000, and will be billed based upon the time spent on the project.
“This group will also help us prepare the GIS (Geographic Information System) maps, which are also very time-consuming, and a critical component as well,” Ludwig noted. “Our mapping resources in the county are capable, but don’t necessarily have the time to spend on additional projects.”
With Ludwig’s recommendation, commissioners unanimously accepted the proposal.
“I would just note that Greenbrier Environmental Group has done a fantastic job on the Meadow River Trail, and other work within the county,” Tincher said. “I feel confident that they would be able to handle this project very well.”
From there, the commission considered the allocation of funds received through the Emergency Medical Salary Enhancement Fund for Crisis Response Services in Support of First Responders. In attendance to discuss the allocation was Don Havens, director of Greenbrier County Homeland Security and Emergency Management (GCHSEM).
“There was some funding allocated in support of the EMS Salary Enhancement bill for each county to use toward crisis response and mental health first aid for first responders,” Havens explained. “I’ve got close to 100% participation from all of my staff at the 911 Center. Most of them are taking four courses online.”
“I think its great that the state recognizes that there are other first responders other than the ones that are out in the field,” Havens added. “There wasn’t a lot of participation from other folks within the county. Maybe because of the newness of it – I’m not sure. “
According to Tincher, this funding is provided by the state, with the county serving as facilitator. The total amount for this allocation is $3,007.82, which must be used by the end of the calendar year, and specifically utilized for the mental health of first responders. The commission unanimously approved the allocation.
The next meeting of the Greenbrier County Commission is scheduled for Thursday, January 2, at 10 a.m.
