by Kathy Foster
Discussion of insurance coverage for county employees took up a major portion of the recent workshop held by the Washington County Board of County Commissioners.
Commissioners have been taking a proactive position when it comes to medical insurance for county employees and during the workshop looked at various optons availalbe through Florida Blue, United HealthCare and Benecom.
During the workshop commissioners made it clear they wanted to provided county employees and their families quality health care at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayers.
Addressing other issues at the workshop commissioners:
- were presented bound copies of the county’s current aduit, which were told reflected well for the county.
- discussed having Northwest Florida Regional Housing Authority take over the county’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. The county has been informed that as of Sept. 30, 2018 Tri-County Community Council will no longer handle that program. County Attorney Matt Fuqua said Northwest Floridal Regional serves a number of other Panhandle counties with no complaints. Commissioners did make it clear they would want representation from Washington County to serve on the agency’s board of directors. A decision is expected to be made at the BOCC’s July 26th meeting.
- discussed proposed Crystal Lake right-of-way survey and were told some of the areas under discussion had been replatted, but not recorded. County Commissioner Steve Joyner and County Administrator Jeff Massey were directed to work with Southeastyern Surveying to establish the county’s acutal right-of-way. Commissioners were told that no one is sure if the roadway currently being used is actually on a dedicated right-of-way.
The following items were directed for placement on the July 26th consent agenda:
- Firefighter Assistance Grant for the Caryville Volunteer Fire Department.
- Resolution for the SR 77 Widening roject from South of Ben Road to South of Cane Mill Road.
- Deeding a small portion of land to the City of Vernon.
- Replacement of a “bat wing” mower for the Public Works Department.