by Kathy Foster
In their meeting Wednesday the Washington County Board of County Commissioners came to the conclusion that hiring a lobbyist to represent the county in Tallahassee would be a benefit to county residents.
The county administrator was directed to develop a list of potential individuals/firms and get back with commissioners at their June 20th meeting.
Commissioners opted for the move after noting that other Panhandle counties with lobbyists are receiving more money for projects than Washington County.
Before starting on their agenda Wednesday, commissioners took a few moments to thank a group of county employees for their recent volunteer work cleaning up property where a new SHIP home is being constructed in county.
Commissioners and Karen Shaw presented a plaque and gifts to Fred McSwain, Wendy White, Deidra Pettis (not pictured below), Jackie Snowden and Ginny Miles.
Addressing agenda items, commissioners took the following actions:
- Approved a Future land-use amendment for 33.8 acres of land owned by Milton Peel at the southeast corner of Bedie Road and Duncan Community Road.
- Approved the Blazing Hooves 4-H Club to host a Schooling Show at Daniels Lake Center on June 8th beginning at 3:30 p.m.
- Declared June 14 as Grandparent Alienation Awareness Day in Washington County.
- Approved an Administrative Expense up to $50,000 for administrative costs for the Highway 79 Corridor Authority.
- Approved an Interlocal Agreement between the Highway 79 Corridor Authority and Washington County.
- Approved continuing the exemption of Impact fees for Residential Property.
- Approved awarding the bid for repair work on the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to Mike Moody.
- Approved changing the meetings of the Communications Committee from monthly to quarterly.
- Approved the purchase of two new dump trucks, and were informed that two old dump trucks, a pickup truck, a loader, and a grader will be taken to auction.
- Approved a motion to amend rules governing the deposits required for renting county-owned facilities. A new $200 deposit will be required for clean-up of the facilities. County Administrator Jeff Massey said the new deposit is being required because in several recent instances the county-owned facilities were rented out and left in a messy state. He also reminded everyone that no alcohol and no smoking is permitted in the county-owned facilities.
- Approved putting Hwy 280 and South Boulevard on the County’s SCRAP project list.
- Approved putting River Road and Houston Road on the County’s SCOP project list.
Commissioners were also informed that the Department of Transportation has informed the County that they are planning to replace the bridge at Hard Labor Creek.