COMMISSIONERS APPROVE ACCESS AGREEMENT WITH MEYERSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

  

The Washington County commissioners approved an access agreement with the Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department during their meeting today (Tuesday).

The county will spread gravel at the property, located at 7111 Highway 105. In exchange, the Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department will allow county vehicles to park at the location.

Precinct 1 commissioner Don Koester says the fire department is covering the cost of the gravel.

The commissioners also granted a former member of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office permission to purchase his duty issued firearm. Patrol Lieutenant Robert D. Houston retired April 7th after 12 years with the office. The commissioners must charge Houston the amount that firearm is valued at, which in this case is $475.

In other business, the commissioners approved a budget amendment concerning pre-trial diversion money. County Attorney Renee Ann Mueller says pretrial intervention is a form of supervision appropriate for some first time offenders.

It gives defendants a way to atone for their transgressions without many of the lingering effects of a deferred adjudication or conviction. Mueller says in Washington County, the pre-trial diversion is predominantly used for possession of marijuana Class B cases:

Since all the pre-trial diversion cases are handled by a single county employee in addition to her normal workload, Mueller says the money will be used to increase the employee's salary.

In addition, the commissioners heard monthly reports from a variety of county entities including Washington County EMS, 911, Information Technology, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.