Advisory Opinions

Please find attached to this e-mail Advisory Opinions 2012-20, 2012-22, 2012-23, 2012-25, 2012-26 and 2012-27 issued at the June 28, 2012 WVEC Commission meeting.  Also attached, is OMAO 2012-03 issued at the Open
Government Committee Meeting on June 28, 2012.

If you have questions, comments or concerns, please contact via e-mail or telephone (304) 558-0664.

Mandated Local Floodplain Manager Training Requirements

You should be receiving notification from The Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, information regarding mandated local floodplain manager training requirements. This training requirement is the result of Senate Bill 387, which passed during the 2012 Legislative Session. The person charged with the responsibility for implementing your community's floodplain management ordinance to achieve the goal of sound community development while lessening losses due to flooding should plan to attend the training.

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, will be offering a series of training sessions that will be in addition to the formal FEMA courses or multi-day conferences that have been held in the past. They plan to offer four (4) six-hour courses and six (6) one hour webinars annually so you can receive training that will be convenient for you to attend and help you improve your floodplain management skills while meeting the training requirements passed by the legislature during this past session.

Attached is a copy of the West Virginia State Code that establishes annual training requirements for local floodplain managers. The Governor and Legislature realize that training and education are essential for you to do your job, but recognize the challenges you would face to meet the training requirements. Therefore, the training opportunities mentioned above and outlined on the attached fact sheet are designed to help you meet this six (6) hour annual floodplain management training requirement with the least amount of disruption to your work schedule.

The initial timeframe in which this annual requirement must be met will end June 30, 2013. Subsequent years, the requirements must be met during the standard fiscal year ending June 30. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will maintain the official training records for this program. Since there will be many questions regarding this requirement, you are urged to contact the state floodplain associate assigned to your community to assist you with answers.

Grants Training Notification

Grant Training in Dunbar, WV

West Virginia State Police Academy, Grant Writing USA and Grant Management USA present two grants classes in Dunbar.

Class #1:  Learn where to find the grants and how to get them.

Join us July 30-31, 2012 when West Virginia State Police Academy hosts Grant Writing USA's two-day grant writing workshop.  Attend this proven class and you'll learn how to find grants and write winning grant proposals.  Beginning and experienced government and nonprofit personnel are welcome to attend.

Read more: Grants Training Notification

Advisory Opinions

A County Commission asks whether it may purchase private property from an appointed member of the County Building Commission in order to build a new 911 center.