New Ambulance Organization committee formed in Washington County

Jeremy Peck, the new director of the Washington County Ambulance Service Department, will have some assistance from a new Ambulance Organization committee appointed by the Washington Board of Supervisors when it met Tuesday. March 10. The committee, which will serve from now until July 1 when the service becomes operational, will include Supervisor Richard Young who now operates Washington County Ambulance, Inc, the company that contracts with the county for ambulance services, Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen, Chief Sheriff Deputy Shawn Ellingson and, when needed, County Human Resources Administrator Amber Day. Peck will begin working full time March 23.

Budget Public Hearing

IT and Budget Director Cyndie Sinn told the supervisors that for the first time this year, two public hearings are required for the passage of the county's budget. The first deals with the maximum property tax dollars for general county services and rural county services that the county can charge. If either number exceeds 2 percent, a supermajority vote is needed to approve the budget. In the case of the proposed budget for fiscal year 2020, the general county services budget increase is .49 of 1 percent and the rural services difference is a decrease of 8.02 percent. The supervisors held a public hearing on the maximum property tax dollars then passed a resolution on the matter. The typical budget public hearing will be held March 31.

Township Trustees and Clerks

There are 15 townships in Washington County. All but Brighton and Clay Townships have elected to have the supervisors appoint their trustees and clerks. The supervisors passed a resolution to instruct the Washington Commissioner of Elections to submit a question on the ballot in those two townships to see if they would like to continue naming their officers or if they would like to have the supervisors appoint them as they do in the other 13 townships.

Employee Badge Policy

Reisen explained a new employee identification ID Badge Policy. All employees will be issued a badge within seven days of employment. The badge will include the employee's photo and will need to be renewed after two years. Employees must wear their badges at all times during working hours. The supervisors approved the new policy.

Other Business

In other business, the supervisors:

*Approved a manure management plan for the Dwight Miller farm and

*Heard a report of HIPPA compliance from Roger Shindell of Carosh Compliance.