by Kathy Foster
Washington County commissioners continued expressing their concern with debris cleanup following Hurricane Michael at their Feb. 20th meeting.
FEMA Coordinator Kevin Parker said the following schedule has been established for the third round of debris pickup in the county:
- March 15th – Last day to have debris placed at curbside
- April 15th – Last day for debris pickup
- May 15th – Final disposal/ceanup of all Debris Management Sites.
Commissioners said they know they are in for “headaches” and they expect the clean up “will go on for months”, even after announcing the final round of debris removal is set for completion on April 15th.
Commissioner Charles Kent offered a motion, seconded by Commissioner Steve Joyner and approved in a 5-0 vote that Washington County Board of County Commissioners approve private property pick-up contingent along with FEMA guidelines, with the State of Florida Department of Transportation’s funding mechanism.
Kevan Parker confirmed that the motion is contingent on the Florida Department of Transportation and FEMA’s approval.
Commissioners made it clear they want all rules followed carefully and Commissioner Todd Abbott expressed his feelings that he wants everything legally possible done to clean up Washington County from the disaster created by Hurricane Michael.
Commissioners also discussed mosquito control in the county. Currently the county is considering taking over the program from the Washington County Health Department. BOCC Chair Tray Hawkins said he wants the county to move into the program slowly and expand it over the next several years, but isn’t interested in taking it over until the new budget year.
Commissioners said currently only Vernon and Chipley areas are being sprayed for mosquitoes because they are the only entities paying into the program.
Commissioners also approved the following agenda items at Wednesday’s meeting:
- Appointment of Berna Palmer to Seat 3 on the Washington County Tourist Development Council.
- Decision to override the purchasing policy in the solicitation of bidders for the Visit Florida Tourism Recovery Grants. Requests for Proposals were sent out for a number of areas, but only one response was received. The TDC will now solicit quotes from local vendors.
- Allowing the Chairman to sign the Library Services Technology Act Grants Agreement. The Library has been awarded a Library Services Techology Act Grant in the amount of $3,940.
- January vouchers for the Clerk’s Office totaling $1,687,886.45.
- Purchase of two John Deere tractors for the Public Works Department.
- Agreement to accept a bale of compacted used tires to test for embankment rebuilding.
- Employee Handbook Amendment for Employer Portion of Insurance Payment to cease after six months leave of absence.