Boards and Commissions

Boards and commissions allow members of our community to partner with Berkeley County to help shape the structure of our future by sharing expertise and advising the County government. Boards and commissions address a wide range of relevant issues and services, from the environment and county planning to parks and recreation and tourism.

We encourage residents to consider attending the public meetings held if the topic is of interest. If you have expertise in a topic, please consider applying for membership on the board or commission. Berkeley County would appreciate your perspective. 

To be considered for appointment by the Berkeley County Commission, citizens must be residents of Berkeley County. 

Interested? Download application here.

The Berkeley County Commission makes appointments to the following Boards and Commissions:

Berkeley-Morgan County Board of Health: The Board is a governing body created under W.Va., Code 16-2-11 that is responsible for the Berkeley-Morgan County Health Department and its operations. The Board is charged with protection of Public Health within Berkeley and Morgan counties. The combined county Board of Health is composed of at least five board members who reside in Berkeley and Morgan counties. 

Berkeley County Board of Zoning Appeals: The Board hears appeals on zoning issues pertaining to the zoned districts of Berkeley County, which include the Tuscarora Community Zoning District and the Windewald Neighborhood Zoning District. Authorized by W.Va., Code 8A-8-4, the county zoning appeals board is comprised of five members. Members must be residents of the zoned portion of Berkeley County for at least three years prior to appointment and cannot hold any other elective or appointed office in county government.

Berkeley County Building Code Appeals Board: Any person shall have the right to appeal a decision of the code official to the Code Appeals Board. An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this code or the rules legally adopted there under have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully apply, or an equivalent form of construction is to be used.

Berkeley County Building Commission: The Building Commission finances the purchase and construction of capital assets for the County Commission and leases them to the County Commission and others. Ownership of the assets pass to the County Commission when the bonds mature and are returned. The lease or loan payments the Building Commission receive are used to pay the revenue bonds' principal and interest.  Authorized by W.Va., Code 8-33-1 and created by order of the Berkeley County Commission on September 4, 1979, a county building commission must be comprised not less than three nor more than five members.  

Berkeley County Emergency Communications Advisory Committee:  The Advisory Committee acts in an advisory capacity only as to the operations of the Emergency Communications dispatching center and brings any concerns from their respective disciplines (Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, OES, etc.,) in regard to those operations.

Berkeley County Civil Service Commission: The Commission makes rules and regulations providing for competitive and medical examinations for the position of deputy sheriff in Berkeley County. The three-member Commission also has authority to review hiring, promotion and disciplinary actions in accordance with W.Va., Code 7-14. The Commission is comprised of three members, which are appointed by the Bar Association of the County, Berkeley County Commission, and Berkeley County Deputy Sheriff Association, respectively. The Berkeley County Clerk acts as the ex-officio clerk of the civil service commission.

Berkeley County Criminal Justice Board: The Board is empowered to develop, establish, administer, monitor, and maintain community-based corrections programs for those who meet the eligibility criteria.   Through oversight of the Berkeley County Day Report Center, the Board works with law enforcement, judicial officials, government agencies and community resources to reduce criminal recidivism rates by providing participants with the opportunity to learn about his/her behavior, acquire needed skills to address problematic issues, and develop life tools to insure long-term success while enhancing community safety. Authorized by W.Va., Code 62-11C-6, community criminal justice boards may have up to 15 members.  All members must be a resident of Berkeley County.  

Berkeley County Development Authority: The Authority board of directors facilitate growth of business in the county and assists business leaders as they consider advantages of moving to or expanding operations in Berkeley County. Authorized by W.Va., Code 62-11C-6, the board can have between 12 and 21 members, and must include representatives of municipalities, and representatives of business, industry and labor.  

Berkeley County Emergency Ambulance Authority Board: The board oversees provision of emergency medical service. To provide temporary life support to the sick and injured regardless of race, ethnicity, and/or the ability to pay. Assure safe transport to the nearest appropriate medical facility. Ensure the continuum of care once at the medical facility. To offer safety awareness programs throughout the community we serve. Authorized by W.Va., Code 7-15-1, ambulance authorities be comprised of not less than five nor more than 15 members.  

Berkeley County Farmland Preservation Board: The Board works to preserve important farmland and properties with significant conservation values by acquiring conservation easements on those lands. Authorized by W.Va., Code 8A-12-1, farmland protection boards shall consist of seven members, including a non-voting county commissioner.  

Berkeley County Fire Service Board: The board jointly oversees the budget of the Fire Board and Volunteer Fire Departments and strive to make the Fire Board financially stable in present and future endeavors. Authorized by W.Va., Code 7-17-1, fire boards shall consist of seven members and all must be county residents.

Berkeley County Historic Landmarks Commission:  The Commission was formally established the Berkeley County Historic Landmarks Commission in 1992 by order in accordance with W.Va., Code 8-26A.   As a branch of Berkeley County government, the Landmarks Commission focuses on heritage education, historic preservation, historic resource development, and research.

Berkeley County Local Emergency Planning Committee: Authorized by W.Va., Code 15-15A-7, The mission of the Committee is to collect and maintain information on hazardous materials being used in or passing through the district, to analyze associated risks, vulnerabilities, and develop an effective emergency plan, to make information readily available to responders and the general public, provide a continuing forum for responders and citizens to discuss all hazards issues and seek input by offering informational presentations to a variety of groups such as businesses, neighborhood and service organizations.  

Berkeley County Museum Commission: The Commission was created in 2022 to advise the governing body of Berkeley County on the development of a public museum of culture and history for Eastern West Virginia. Authorized by W.Va. Code 7-11A-1, the Museum Commission board is comprised of ten members with verifiable experience in historical preservation, museums, tourism, marketing and fundraising, history education, academic research and publication.  

Berkeley County Public Service Sewer District: The district board’s mission is to protect public health to prevent pollution and to support organized community and economic development by providing wastewater collection, treatment, and related services. As authorized by W.Va., Code 16-13-1B, the public service district is comprised of three members who must be residents of Berkeley County.   

Berkeley County Public Service Storm Water District: The district board has jurisdiction over all storm water activities within the boundaries of Berkeley County excepting those within city boundaries of Martinsburg, those under the authority of the Berkeley County Board of Education and West Virginia Division of Highways. As authorized by W.Va., Code 16-13-1B, the water district board is comprised of three members who must be residents of Berkeley County.

Berkeley County Public Service Water District:  The district board oversees provision of water service to residents, businesses and industries in Berkeley County. The District currently serves over 22,000 accounts in Berkeley County, excluding the City of Martinsburg. As authorized by W.Va., Code 16-13-1B, the storm water district board is comprised of five members who must be residents of Berkeley County.

Berkeley County Roundhouse Authority: The authority board charged with three functions. First to rehabilitate and preserve the historic Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Martinsburg Shops, West Virginia’s 16^th National Historic Landmark; Second to teach the rich history of those facilities; and Third, to use and make available those facilities to the advantage of the citizens of Berkeley County and the Eastern Panhandle. Authorized in 1999 under Chapter 296 of Acts of the West Virginia Legislature, the Roundhouse Authority may not have less than five nor more than 21 members, which are appointed by the County Commission and City of Martinsburg. Members must be residents of Berkeley County.  

Berkeley Senior Services: The Senior Services board of directors oversee management of services enabling seniors to remain independent participating members of our community. The Board of Directors are active participants and supporters of the Center through Fund Development and various active committees.   

Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority: The Solid Waste Authority is comprised of a five member all volunteer Board of Directors, with two members appointed by the County Commission, and remaining members appointed by the Berkeley County Conservation District, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and West Virginia Public Service Commission. Authorized by W.Va. Code 22-15-1, the Solid Waste Authority oversees education, enforcement and solid waste collection programs as mandated by the West Virginia Solid Waste Management Act, which requires source reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery to take priority in management of solid waste.  

Eastern Panhandle HOME Consortium: The Consortium was formed in 2006 to enable the Cities and Counties of the Eastern Panhandle to receive HOME Investment Partnership Program funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HOME funds are used to provide affordable housing opportunities for low income households. The HOME Consortium receives approximately $324,000 per year. The primary use of HOME funds has been to provide the Homebuyer Assistance Program providing interest-free, deferred payment loans for down payment and closing costs to low-income first-time homebuyers.   

Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport Authority: The airport authority board governs management and control of the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport, West Virginia’s largest general aviation airport. Authorized by W.Va., Code 8-29A-1, airport authority board members are appointed by the County Commission and City of Martinsburg, and County Commissions and municipalities of Jefferson and Morgan counties may also appoint members.

Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning & Development Council (Region 9):   Authorized by W.Va., Code 8-25-1, the Council is comprised of elected and appointed representatives from Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties, including municipal governing bodies. The Council was created to assist local government with resolving shared issues of concern, engage in regional, comprehensive and functional planning, identify, apply and administer certain federal and state grants, and provide a regional focus in regard to multiple programs undertaken on a regional basis.  

Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority: The transit authority’s 12-member board of directors provides oversight of public transportation services in Berkeley and Jefferson counties and municipalities of Martinsburg, Inwood, Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, and other areas. EPTA offers a variety of services including deviated fixed route service, demand response, non-emergency medical transit, and Saturday service. EPTA is a transportation provider for the State Opioid Response (SOR) program. Board members are by city and municipal governing bodies in Berkeley and Jefferson counties.

Hagerstown/Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization (HEPMPO) Interstate Council: The Council is the decision-making body of HEPMPO, whose mission is to provide a cooperative forum for regional collaboration, planning and public decision-making for short and long-term solutions that support mobility needs, economic development, environmental sensitivities, and multimodal connectivity for a safe, secure and efficient transportation system. The group is comprised of representatives of the respective State departments of transportation, public transit operators, and local elected officials. The Interstate Council is comprised of 17 members, including two non-voting members.

Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention and Visitors Bureau: The Board of Directors for the CVB oversee the nonprofit marketing organization, which was formed to enhance the economy and quality of life in Martinsburg and Berkeley County through the promotion of historical, cultural, and natural assets and to further the development of the local travel and tourism industry. Authorized by W.Va. Code 7-18-14, board is composed of seven members, including three appointed by the County Commission, three appointed by the City of Martinsburg and one member appointed by the Board of Directors. 

Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks & Recreation Board: The Parks & Recreation Board of Directors set policy for recreation and park services in Berkeley County. The Recreation Board receives funding from the City of Martinsburg, Berkeley County Commission and the Board of Education for the operation of recreation programs and parks and facilities maintenance. Authorized by W.Va., Code 10-2-1, the Recreation Board is comprised of nine members, with the City of Martinsburg, Berkeley County Commission and Board of Education each appointing three members.  

Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Library Commission:  The Library Commission oversees the operations of the countywide system for the citizens of Martinsburg and Berkeley County. The Board shall supervise the acceptance and expenditure of all money appropriated or collected for the library and shall appoint a professional librarian to act as its executive officer and to direct library activities. Authorized in 1970 in Chapter 83 of the Acts of the Legislature, the Commission is comprised of five members, including two appointed by the Berkeley County Commission. 

Certain boards/commissions include members who have been appointed by other governmental entities.