ANNEX B - CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT


I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Annex is to provide a viable, workable and legal means
of providing a continuing constitutional government in case of an emergency, disas-
term civil disobedience, enemy attack, terrorist event, or other similar event. The
methods of succession for officials and the preservation and transportation of vital
records is also described in this part of the Plan.

II. SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS

1. Location - The County Government is situated in downtown Parkersburg in four buildings: the Courthouse on Court Square, the Judicial Annex located across the street, the Sheriff's Office and the County Jail at 2nd and Market Streets, and the Magistrate's and Family Law Masters Building at 3rd and Avery Streets.

2. Evacuation - If the Courthouse, Judicial Annex, Jail, or Magistrate Court Building had to be evacuated for other than a short period of time, there would be many problems, especially with records.

3. Public Records - The Assessor's Office has land record copies at the State Auditor's Office in Charleston. None of the other records are backed up or stored in a safe place. The County Clerk has deeds and lien records on micro- film and computer disk in a bank vault. Other records in the County Clerk's Office are not backed up or stored in a safe place. The Clerk of the Circuit Court has no backup or safe storage for records. The Sheriff's Jail and Prisoner records have no backup or safe stroage. The Sheriff has a computer in the Tax Department where future records will be saved on computer disk and stored in a safe place. The Pro- secuting Attorney's Office, Circuit Court Judges, and Probation Departments have no backup or safe storage. The County Commission has no backup or safe storage.

4. Wood County Central Telecommunications Center - The Wood County Central Communications Center is located at 911 Core Road. The Center consists of approximately 5,600 s. f. of space in a one-story masonry fenced monitored secure facility. This facility is an approved EOC with extensive communications capabilities.

5. Succession - The West Virginia State Code provides a method of succession for all elected officials in Chapters 6 and 15.

B. Assumptions
1. Public Records - The County Commission and other elected offi-cials will continue efforts to microfilm and find storage space for records as funds become available.

2. Successors - All County officials will comply with State law and appoint the proper successors to their respective positions.

3. Evacuation - Barring an attack or terrorist event, the probability of having to evacuate all of the County Government buildings for other than a short period of time is unlikely.

4. Fire - In the event of a fire, there would be enough records saved to allow officers to continue working on a limited basis.

III. DIRECTION AND CONTROL
A. County Officials
· The County Commission will provide facilities for the operation of County Government, and will coordinate with other elected officials in moving equipment, records, and supplies to continue the orderly operation of government.
· The Sheriff will provide security for County employees and County property.
· Each elected official or their successor will supervise the moving and reestablishment of operations for the continuation of the governmental process in an evacuation situation.

IV. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
A. Evacuation
1. County Commission - If it becomes necessary to move the County government operations, the County Commission will secure adequate quarters for that section of the County government that has to relocate. If the County govern- ment has to relocate due to a nuclear attack situation, the County government will relocate to another County outside of the attack. The County Commission will pro- vide transportation for records and equipment for the various County agencies to operate.

2. Other Elected Officials - Each elected official will be responsible for the security, preservation, and continuity of the records of their particular office and will provide personnel to operate their agency. Each elected official will have appointed three (3) people and will have named their succession in case the elected official is not available to operate the office. Each elected official will train his/her successor in the operation of the office, the responsibilities and duties, and the law concerning that particular office.

V. ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A. County Commission - The County Commission has three Commissioners of which one is elected every two years and serves a six-year term. The County Commission:
· is the legislative and funding branch of County government
· maintains records of all ordinances, resolutions, and other business it conducts.

B. County Clerk - The County Clerk is elected for a six-year term. The County Clerk:
· maintains the records of deeds, property transfers, plat maps, marriages, births, deaths, mortgages, liens, voter registration, and elections
· is the chief financial officer for the County.

C. Assessor - The Assessor is elected for a term of four year. The Assessor:
· assesses property in the County
· maintains assessment records of all property.

D. Sheriff - The Sheriff is elected for a term of four years and is the chief law enforcement agent in the County. The Sheriff:
· operates the jail,
· has charge of the prisoners in the jail
· is the treasurer of the County
· maintains the tax records for the County
· can not succeed in office after two consecutive four-year terms

E. Clerk of the Circuit Court - The Clerk of the Circuit Court is elected for a term of four years. The Clerk of the Circuit Court:
· maintains the records of the circuit courts
· maintains the records of the magistrate courts and other appointed courts

F. Prosecuting Attorney - The Prosecuting Attorney is elected for a term of four years. The Prosecuting Attorney:
· presents criminal cases to the courts
· represents the County in legal matters where there is no conflict of interest.

G. Circuit Court Judges - Three Circuit Court Judges are elected for a six- year term. The Circuit Court Judges:
· preside over criminal and civil matters which may be brought before the Court.

H. Magistrates - Five magistrates are elected for a term of four years. The Magistrates:
· preside over misdemeanor criminal offenses
· hear civil proceedings involving amounts less than $2,000.00.


AUTHORITIES 1. Civil Defense 951 - Chapter 1228 64 Stat. 1245
2. West Virginia State Code, Chapter 6
3. West Virginia State Code, Chapter 15, Article 5
4. West Virginia State Code, Chapter 15, Article 7
5. Federal Emergency Management Agency: Guide for All Hazard Emergency
Operations Planning, SLG 101