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?Commissioners hear that medical insurance costs for county will increase less than expected |
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Wednesday, 26 November 2008 00:00 |
? The Washington County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, November 19. All members were present except Mike Goering, who had a death in his family. The minutes of previous meetings, all claims, and payroll requests were approved unanimously.
Mark Nantz of Knapp, Miller, Brown Insurance told the Commissioners that the premium for the county’s medical insurance program will increase in 2009 by 4.54 percent. According to Nantz this is much less than expected and can be attributed to employees submitting fewer claims and more of them opting for higher deductibles.
John Newberry, who is responsible for the upkeep of the county’s computer systems told the Commissioners that a new virus protection program needs to be installed at a cost of $1085 for a three year license. Newberry also recommended the purchase of a second server at a cost of approximately $7000. Newberry warned that the current server has no reliable backup and that vital records could be lost. The Commissioners authorized the purchase of the virus protection program but advised Newberry to work with Superior Court personnel who are exploring the possibility of cyber-storage of court document. It is hoped that the two systems might be integrated and save the county money.
Marji Morris and Sharon Smith spoke to the Commissioners about the horse arena at the county fairgrounds. According to Morris and Smith, the facility is in such disrepair that it is no longer safe. The Commissioners entertained three proposals to upgrade the structures. All the Commissioners agreed that the project needs to be done and asked Morris and Smith to return after the first of the year with updated estimates on the costs of repair and new construction.
Bobby Lamb of Hoosier Uplands asked for and received a resolution to approve a housing rehab grant for $125,000 to be used to fix up 8 or 9 homes in the county. Lamb also alluded to a grant that his organization is working on to assist county residents avoid foreclosure. According to Lamb, Washington County has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the state.
As a final piece of business, the Commissioners approved a request from Emergency Management Director, Christy Vernon, for 21 days of medical leave, beginning on December 10.
With no further business to conduct, the Commissioners adjourned until their next regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, December 3. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 November 2008 13:03 |
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?2008 tax statements have been mailed out |
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Wednesday, 26 November 2008 00:00 |
? According to Washington County Treasurer, Shirley Batt, the 2008 tax statements have been placed in the mail with tax payers receiving them soon.
The first installment of the 2008 property tax is due December 10 with the second installment due February 10, 2009.
The Treasurer’s office will have extended hours Monday, December 1- Friday, December 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, December 6, from 9 a.m. to noon and December 8-10, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.., for patrons who wish to come to the office to pay.
You can also mail in payments in the form of a check, money order or cashier’s check to: Washington County Treasurer office, 99 Public Square Suite 101, Salem , Indiana 47167.
For another added convenience there is a drop box located at the south side of the courthouse to place your payment in.
For any other information or questions call 883-3307. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 November 2008 13:07 |
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?County Committee Election Underway |
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Written by Administrator
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Wednesday, 26 November 2008 00:00 |
? The ballots have been mailed for this year’’s county committee election for Local Administrative Area #2 (LAA 2), which includes voters in Gibson, Jefferson, Monroe and Washington Townships. Voters have until December 1, 2008, to return their properly completed ballots to the county office. The newly elected committee member and alternates take office on January 1, 2009.
The county committee system allows producers to make important decisions concerning local administration of federal farm programs. Committee members apply their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, establishment of allotments and yields, producer appeals, employing FSA county executive directors and other local issues. FSA committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws.
Prospective Voter Requirements. Anyone who meets the requirements in either, 1 or 2, as well as item number 3, is eligible to vote for county committee members.
1. Voter is of legal voting age and participates or cooperates in any FSA program or
2. The voter is not of legal voting age, but supervises and conducts the farming operations on an entire farm.
3. The voter must also be eligible to participate in any FSA program provided by law, regardless of the status of funding.
Discrimination Prohibited - No person shall be denied the right to vote because of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation or marital or family status.
Eligible voters who do not receive ballots can obtain a ballot at the local USDA Service Center located at 801 Anson Street in Salem. December 1, 2008 is the last day for voters to submit ballots in person to the local USDA Service Center. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than December 1, 2008. Newly elected committee members and alternates will take office January 1, 2009 |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 November 2008 13:10 |
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?WCMH in negotiations with Saint Vincent Hospital |
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Wednesday, 26 November 2008 00:00 |
? At a public meeting on Thursday, November 20, the Washington County Memorial Hospital (WCMH) Board of Directors announced that an agreement has been reached with Saint Vincent Hospital (SVH) of Indianapolis to join the two entities in a, yet undetermined, relationship.
When asked to confirm the specific type of relationship that is being negotiated, WCMH Director of Public Relations and Marketing, Melissa Richardson, said that the negotiations are ongoing and that all possibilities are on the table.
A special, joint executive session of the WCMH Board of Directors, the Washington County Council, and the Washington County Board of Commissioners was called for Monday evening, November 24 for the purpose of “hospital board strategic planning” and “discuss(ing) recruitment of health care providers.
The recent agreement between WCMH and Purdue University’s Healthcare Technical Assistance Program has been well documented in local newspapers. This most recent announcement about affiliation with SVH is yet another sign that the hospital board is making efforts to improve the quality of healthcare service to the residents of Washington County.
In January of 2005, WCMH severed ties with Jewish Hospital, citing need to be more independent. Since that time, financial/billing issues have surfaced numerous times and rumors have run rampant about the viability of the hospital’s ability to meet its community and financial obligations.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 November 2008 13:07 |
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