ST. CLAIRSVILLE - Belmont County Commissioners took action Thursday to establish a new County Planning Commission.

Commissioners left Wednesday's regular weekly board meeting open and reconvened on Thursday morning to wrap up a few items.

Among the action taken by the board Thursday was the creation of the new planning commission, a move the commissioners highlighted as one of the many goals set forth for 2010.

"We're among a very small minority of counties in the state that don't have a planning commission," said Commissioner Ginny Favede.

The planning commission will consist of 11 members. Three of the members will be the three seated county commissioners. The other eight members will be appointed by the board of commissioners, who said those appointees will represent communities throughout the county.

The appointees are expected to be named next week.

Favede said the first step in getting the new planning commission established was to pass the resolution, which was done so Thursday in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code. The second step in the process would be to appoint members to the volunteer board. Officials said on Thursday that they had candidates in mind for the appointments, which may be made during next week's board meeting.

The third step will be to set forth the planning commission's bylaws.

Members of the new Belmont County Planning Commission will be appointed for terms of three years, with the exception of the first eight appointed members. Three of the first appointees to the commission will serve two-year terms and two members will serve one-year terms.

The primary duty for the planning commission will be to participate in the development and implementation of the county's new economic strategic plan, which is being developed with the assistance of W.S.O.S. Community Action Commission Inc. of Freemont, Ohio. The county recently entered into a contract with W.S.O.S. CAC Inc. in the amount of $24,750 to help develop the economic strategic plan, which will provide a "vision for Belmont County" and outline goals for the economic sector as well as objectives and strategies for reaching short-term and long-term goals for the county.

Officials said the plan will be a blueprint to help guide future activities aimed at steering and facilitating economic development.

Favede has said planning for the future will be the county's no. 1 goal this year.

The planning commission is expected to work with groups throughout the county and meet with township trustees, officials from various municipalities and other community groups throughout the year.

In other action Thursday, the board of commissioners took action to address a problem with mold that has appeared inside the annex building which houses the Belmont County Prosecutor's Office and the Western Division Court.

Commissioners entered into a contract with SDI Environmental in the amount of $5,000 for laboratory fees, site investigations, on-site consulting and clearance testing relative to the "fungal screening investigation" in the Courthouse Annex I building.

The board also approved a change order in the amount of $23,000 for Norris Environmental for mold remediation services in the prosecutor's office, including ceiling tile replacement, plaster finish coat with additional adhesive, carpet cleaning and necessary work being done with a possible second shift.

Officials noted that while mold remediation was being performed in the basement and first floor of the Courthouse Annex I building, located at 147 W. Main St. in St. Clairsville, it was discovered that additional mold was located on the top floor in the prosecutor's office. Further testing determined immediate mold remediation was necessary, officials said.

Ayres can be reached at eayrestimesleaderonline.com