Commissioners praise county employees for going above and beyond their job descriptions.
by Kathy Foster
Washington County Board of County Commissioners Chair Tray Hawkins became emotional Thursday morning when he took a few moments to thank everyone in the county for “pulling together” to get through Hurricane Michael and its aftermath.
He opened the meeting thanking everyone, including county employees, for the “many long hours” they have put in through their recovery efforts to help their fellow county residents recover following the disaster.
Washington County Supervisor of Elections Office was also represented at the meeting reminder all Washington County registered voters to VOTE in the Nov. 7th Election.
Commissioners were informed that preliminary damage reports concerning county-owned structures has been placed at $1 million and damage to county roads is already at the $700,000 mark.
Reports of damage to agricultural crops throughout the county reflected an 85% loss in cottom crops, 50% loss in the peanut crops, and 100% loss in timber.
Additionally, Lynn Able noted the following:
- 165 individuals were seen at Northwest Florida Community Hospital’s ER during the storm and 45 were transported to other medical facilities.
- A Disaster Recovery Center is now open at the Ag Center in Chipley from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., seven days a week.
- 2,223 households are currently requesting assitance.
- First Baptist Church in Chipley is currently sheltering 15 families.
The following agenda items were also handled during the meeting:
- Public Hearings originally scheduled were cancelled because county personnel had not be able to properly advertise them.
- Minutes of the Aug. 23rd Budget Workshop, the Sept. 19th Final Budget Hearing, and the Sept. 20th Board Meeting were approved.
- Aaaon Miller was reappointed to the Tourist Development Council for a full 4-year term ending Sept. 2022.
- The 5-year Bylaws Review submitted by the Tourist Development Council was approved.
- A one time Special Exception to the Local housing Plan was submitted by West Florida Regional Planning Council and approved.
- Suspension of fees on Re-Roofing and Electric Panel Reconnections and a refund of fees already received was approved – dealing with Hurricane Michael.
- The Clerk’s Handbook revision was approved to require the Clerk’s Office to have a representative at the Emergency Operations Center when an emergency situation is activated.
- Approval was given to increase the spending limit for the Public Safety Director from $500 to $2,000.
- Approval was given to give Waste Management a 2.15% CPI increase.
- Approval was given for a one time cost of living supplement of $300 for county employees.
- Approval was given for an inter-local agreement with the city of Blountstown for debris removal.