Wayne County Commissioners reviewed the remaining tasks to move the Wayne County Health Department to its former space during their Oct. 14 meeting. WCHD Director Dan Burk maintains his goal is to function at 201 E. Main St. by Jan. 1.
An array of maintenance repairs remain, from HVAC replacement to updating lighting fixtures to security system upgrades, all previously approved at $90,000. Burk and County Administrator Steve Higinbotham confirmed a majority of old records will be shredded, with new space used to house lifetime records. Commissioners approved disposal of expired PPE, hand sanitizer and broken chairs; Burk’s contract with MyVisit, an electronic medical records vendor; and the process to purchase a new motorized mobile unit. Attorney Ron Cross said that terms for reimbursement with Well Care Health, the building’s former occupant, are still underway.
Economic Development of Wayne County President Valerie Shaffer and Economic Development Manager Sarah Mitchell provided updates on the Housing Accelerator Program. Hidden Valley’s 20 lots at $200,000 is paid, and Sandbridge Hills’ $150,000 for 15 lots will be expended soon. Garwood Acres reduced from six to five lots, leaving a $10K surplus. Commissioners approved those funds to be reallocated to the Vaile housing project for power line burial.
Other updates included a new EDC website by the end of year; two areas (Downtown Richmond and Midwest/Williamsburg Industrial Parks) submitted for Opportunity Zone application; an $18,750 grant purchase of vacant lots for the Wayne County Land Bank; and development proposal requests for the 10 homes in the Starr neighborhood project. The group received a clean 2025 audit and was $70,000 under budget to date.
Engineer Brandon Sanders received approval for two contract extensions for the Richmond Avenue bridge project not exceeding $49,000 and $93,299.64, respectively. The project’s completion date remains unchanged. Commissioners also signed two title blocks for an approved Community Crossings grant.
Highway supervisor Mike Sharp received approval to sell two pickup trucks and one tractor, and explore bids for a chipper box. Commissioner President Jeff Plasterer received approval from Sanders and Sharp to proceed with a new two-year, $5,000 interlocal agreement with Hagerstown for infrastructure support services at Gateway Industrial Park. The final agreement will need county council approval.
Other business
Higinbotham reported the county jail window and annex parking lot light projects are underway, with the jail’s transfer switch arriving on Oct. 19. Concrete has been poured on the west side of the courthouse with landscaping to be done by the end of the month. Higinbotham also previewed an Oct. 15 tax sale.
Council approved a letter of support for Achieva’s $16,000 grant match for its guardianship program and the 2027 county holiday schedule. Plasterer will pursue a contract extension with Best Way.
There will be no commissioners meeting on Nov. 11 to observe Veterans Day.
A version of this article will appear in the October 21 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
