MORGANTOWN — Monongalia County Commission President Tom Bloom said a total of 76 letters are en route to 63 cities and 13 counties — each of the government bodies being asked to send a representative to the Mon County Center at 10 a.m. July 13.
From that meeting, the 13-county Region 4 will select one person to represent it on the West Virginia First Foundation, the body that will be tasked with distributing hundreds of millions in opiate settlement dollars.
That body will be comprised of 11 members — five members appointed by the governor and one member from each of the state’s six abatement regions.
“That is where each representative of every city and county can make a recommendation to then vote on only one person out of that nomination group to represent Region 4,” Bloom said, noting, “We have to make a decision by that day.”
Each of the governmental bodies in the region can put forward a nominee.
The Monongalia County Commission is accepting resumes until July 5 for individuals interested in being the county’s nominee.
Along with Monongalia County, Region 4 is made up of Preston, Marion, Braxton, Lewis, Harrison, Taylor, Tucker, Barbour, Randolph, Gilmer, Doddridge and Upshur counties.
To date, the state has compelled more than $1 billion in settlements from multiple defendants involved in manufacturing, distributing, selling or dispensing opiates in West Virginia.
A vast majority of each settlement, 72.5%, will be distributed by the West Virginia First Foundation.
In other news from Wednesday’s commission meeting, Monongalia County Assessor Mark Musick said his office will begin conducting summer satellite sessions next week.
The first will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday at Morgantown High School.
On July 8, sessions will be held from 9 a.m.-noon at Morgantown High School, Arnettsville, Clinton Community Church Pavilion, Clay-Battelle High School, CMA Church, Cheat Lake Library and Westover Pavilion.
Taxpayers can drop off their paper personal property assessment return or purchase dog tags at all locations. You must bring your assessment return and/or online dog invoice with you.
Taxpayers can also complete personal property assessment returns online between July 1 and Oct. 1 by going to assessor.org and clicking on the “Personal Property” link.
Also on Wednesday, the commission presented a certificate of appreciation to Cathy Golleher in recognition of 51 years as a county employee.
Golleher is retiring as a deputy circuit clerk.
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