WASHINGTON CO. OFFICES RECOGNIZED FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN FINANCIAL REPORTING

  

Several Washington County offices were presented a certificate of achievement today (Tuesday) in commissioners court, for excellence in financial reporting.

The award comes from the Government Finance Officers Association, and is for the county’s comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ending in 2017. The certificate is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

Commissioner Kirk Hanath said many people don’t realize how much work the county had to do with FEMA in 2017, concerning damages done by Hurricane Harvey and the flooding of 2016. County Treasurer Peggy Kramer said these annual reports are “truly a group project”, and take “all of us working together to make this award possible”.

The county also approved a request from the Washington Soil and Water Conservation District for increased funding. County Judge John Durrenberger said the conservation has an opportunity to apply for a grant from the state.  The grant requires the district to be funded $7,500, which will be matched by the state.

Durrenberger said the increase applies to this year only, as it is a one-time grant application. The $2,500 increase in county contribution will come from contingency.

Commissioners also:

• Addressed an item dealing with the hiring of a Drainage Crew Chief at a salary higher than the starting salary.  Commissioners already voted on the position and salary at a previous meeting.  The department is allowed to give a 6 percent increase in salary without commissioner approval.
• Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting Wiesepape Road in Precinct One.
• Approved formal notice for a proposed utility line by Magnolia Operating Company for a temporary lay-flat water line within county right-of-way of Lomax Harmel Road, Harmon School Road, and Nixon Lake Road in Precinct Four.