Craig Howell IN SESSION – The Brooke County Commission convened for its weekly meeting Tuesday, with County Clerk Kim Barbetta, left, Commissioner Tom Diserio and Commissioner Stacey Wise taking part.

WELLSBURG – There will be some changes coming to the Brooke County Prosecutor’s Office.

Commissioners, during their meeting Tuesday morning, recognized and approved the retirement of David F. Cross as an assistant prosecuting attorney for the county, to be effective on May 1.

Commissioner Tom Diserio offered his thoughts and congratulations to Cross in recognition of his work on behalf of the people.

“I would like to thank Mr. Cross for his over 35 years of service to Brooke County, as well as his family’s service to Brooke County,” Diserio said.

Licensed as an attorney for 36 years, Cross earned a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University in 1987 and his Juris Doctor from Capital University in 1990.

He has served as assistant prosecutor in Brooke County since then, while also operating a private practice through Cross Law Offices in Wellsburg. He also has served as legal counsel to the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference and various boards of education and other governmental agencies.

Cross has been working in recent years as a part-time assistant prosecuting attorney.

While Cross will be leaving the office, Prosecutor Allison Cowden is making sure they will continue to be staffed, with commissioners approving the hiring of Hunter Hummel as a full-time assistant prosecutor, to begin May 1. Hummel will begin his tenure with a salary of $78,000 for his first six months, after which the pay will be increased to $80,000.

The hiring did receive some debate, with Commissioner Stacey Wise initially asking for it to be tabled out of concern there wasn’t enough funding to cover the salaries in the office.

“We have a retirement of a part-time and asking for a full-time,” Wise said.

Cowden, though, said there would be enough funds to cover the move, an assessment verified by representatives of the county’s Finance Office.

Cowden noted the importance of having staff available in the office, explaining an increase in case loads as a result of changes in practices the Circuit Court system in the county.

“We have 365 cases each. That’s an average of one case per day we could arguably work on,” Cowden said, noting the potential of 29 jury trials in the county during the next six to eight weeks.

Commissioners also approved increases in pay for Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Gabriella Taverne to $84,000, and Office manager Jennifer Myers to $50,000.

Other moves by the commission Tuesday included approving the resignation of Kristen Siranovic from the Brooke County Sheriff’s Department, effective Tuesday. Siranovic has been selected as the county’s new 911 director. Circuit Clerk Glenda Brooks received approval to hire Beth Ann Smith as a full-time, tier 1 employee, with a pay of $39,520, to begin April 16.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)